Awards Etc
Sunnybank Little Athletics Centre’s main award which is given out at the Annual Presentations is the
Elaine Taurima Award.
A Perpetual Trophy has been awarded since it was first introduced at the conclusion of the 1992-93 season during Elaine’s brave fight against Cancer. Elaine’s fellow Life Member, Kathleen Coleman, gave a wonderful speech at the time of the first presentation. Elaine sadly passed away in 2004.
Elaine was for a number of years the Centre’s Chief Recorder and/or Publicity Officer.
These following positions held by Elaine have been extracted from the Centre’s archived Year Books
| Season | Elaine Taurima’s Centre Committee Positions |
|---|---|
| 1983-1984 | parent |
| 1984-1985 | Chief Recorder |
| 1985-1986 | Chief Recorder and Publicity Officer |
| 1986-1987 | Chief Recorder and Publicity Officer |
| 1987-1988 | Publicity Officer |
| 1988-1989 | Zone & QLAA Recording |
| 1989-1990 | Zone & QLAA Recording |
| 1990-1991 | Asst Centre Manager |
| 1991-1992 | Zone & QLAA Recording |
| 1992-1993 | Zone & QLAA Recording |
Elaine was usually the Chief Recorder for the Zone (Regional) Relay and Individual Championships. She could always be found in the Results tent at all QLA Associations days quite often In-charge of all the results.
In the latter years of her life, she was also a State QLA Selector. These Selectors picked the team to represent Queensland Little As at the annual Interstate Teams Competition.
Her three sons did the Sunnybank LA Centre most proud. Her youngest two boys, Stacey and Corrie, were selected in their respective Under 12 year to represent Queensland Little As in the above Interstate competition.
Her eldest boy, Jai, did not make the Qld LA team, however, he did pick up an Olympic SILVER medal for Long Jump in a National Record at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Their father Dootch (Floyd) and Elaine’s husband was also an outstanding coach and coached his boys and other Sunnybank Little A athletes to many Jump, Hurdle and Sprint State Medals.
The CRITERIA for the award as set out in the 2010-2011 Year Book states:-
“This award was created in 1992 in honour of Elaine Taurima, a Life Member of Sunnybank Little Athletics Centre, who sadly passed away on 5th of April 1994. Elaine gave her time and talent and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help the Centre run smoothly. The recipient must have been a member for the entire season and can either be a child or an adult.”
Recipients:
| Season | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1992-1993 | Deborah Poynter |
| 1993-1994 | Kathleen Coleman |
| 1994-1995 | none awarded |
| 1995-1996 | Margaret Giarola |
| 1996-1997 | Glen Giarola |
| 1997-1998 | none awarded |
| 1998-1999 | Cathy Currie |
| 1999-2000 | Benjamin Mitchell |
| 2000-2001 | Brian O’Driscoll |
| 2001-2002 | Vic Spencer |
| 2002-2003 | Malcolm Currie |
| 2003-2004 | Sharon Dale |
| 2004-2005 | Muriel McLean |
| 2005-2006 | James Roberts |
| 2006-2007 | Margaret Page |
| 2007-2008 | Raymond Chan |
| 2008-2009 | Shane Perkins |
| 2009-2010 | Takuo Aoyama |
| 2010-2011 | Peter Windley |
| 2011-2012 | David Green |
| 2012-2013 | Rebecca Green |
| 2013-2014 | Deborah Taylor |
| 2014-2015 | Ros Werder |
| 2015-2016 | Ben Skewes |
| 2016-2017 | Elizabeth Windley |
| 2017-2018 | Katharine Richardson |
| 2018-2019 | Kevin and Glenda Curtis |
Centre Manager’s Trophy
“This award was initiated at our 1994/95 Presentation Day and is awarded at the discretion of the current Centre Manager. The Centre Manager may award this trophy to a Centre athlete based on his/her own criteria, and those of the Little Athletics Association.”
Sunnybank LA Year Book – Sept 1995
| Season | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1994-1995 | Ellen Bentley (G U/15) |
| 1995-1996 | Simon Norrie (B U/13) |
| 1996-1997 | Penny Hughes (G U/15) |
| 1997-1998 | Chris Hubon (B U/12) |
| 1998-1999 | Susan Knight (G U/15) |
| 1999-2000 | Caitlin Borchet (G U/9) |
| 2000-2001 | Marita O’Driscoll (G U/15) |
| 2001-2002 | Emma Spencer (G U/14) |
| 2002-2003 | Timnah Anderson (G U/7) |
| 2003-2004 | Samantha Booth (G U/15) |
| 2004-2005 | Stephanie Holm (G U/10) |
| 2005-2006 | Kate Greishaber (G U/12) |
| 2006-2007 | Mark Roberts (B U/15) |
| 2007-2008 | Rose Windley (G U/15) |
| 2008-2009 | Jessica Wright (G U/14) |
| 2009-2010 | Laryssa Perkins (G U/14) |
| 2010-2011 | Skye Hurst (G U/11) |
| 2011-2012 | Aaron Werder (B U/9) |
| 2012-2013 | Alex Epitropakis (B U/7) |
| 2013-2014 | Elizabeth Windley (G U/15) |
| 2014-2015 | Shae Godfrey (G U/11) |
| 2015-2016 | Tasman Bunkum (B U/11) |
| 2016-2017 | The Bunkum Family |
| 2017-2018 | Sophie Bingham (G U/10) |
| 2018-2019 | Rebecca Williams (G U11) |
John Mitchell Walks Encouragement Award.
The 2012/2013 Season Presentation Day saw the awarding of the inaugural Perpetual John Mitchell Walks Encouragement Award. John Mitchell, a Life Member gave his time unselfishly for many, many years as a parent helper, Committee Member, Coach, Official and Mentor. John had an absolute passion for Athletics and was a wealth of knowledge on every aspect of our sport.
John sadly passed away in August 2012, but will always remain a part of Sunnybank Little Athletics
This award was created in 2013 in honour of John Mitchell, a Life Member, who’s dedication to athletics was unsurpassed. John had a particular passion for Walks and was Sunnybanks Walk Judge/Official/Mentor for many years. This award is determined by the Centre Walks Officials and is based on season performances.
Recipients:
| Season | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2012-2013 | Brooke Edlinger (G U/11) |
| 2013-2014 | Sophie Vernyik (G U/9) |
| 2014-2015 | Hannah Coutts (G U/9) |
| 2015-2016 | Dylan Lo (B U/12) |
| 2016-2017 | Melanie Vernyik (G U/10) |
| 2017-2018 | Lochie Bingham (B U/8) |
| 2018-2019 | Constantinos Athousis (B U/10) |