MARMION Angling and Aquatic Club was named WA Club of the Year (large) for the second year in a row last night at an event to celebrate the vital role sporting, social and cultural clubs play in the Western Australian community.
Racing and Gaming Minister Colin Holt congratulated all nominees and winners of the 2016 Clubs WA Awards for Excellence, including Cockburn City Soccer Club's Chris Minutillo who was recognised with the Inspiration Award.
"Chris was born with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability," Mr Holt said.
"His talent was discovered at the age of 12 by his parents when they realised how fast Chris could run. He has since become the first student with disability to be selected to play Associated Catholic College soccer and has joined the WA soccer Paralympic side."
The Minister said the awards were a chance to thank the clubs, and particularly the volunteers who ran them, for their hard work, passion and dedication.
"A fair share of the heavy lifting carried out in the club environment is usually done by volunteers and is largely behind the scenes," he said.
"The Clubs WA awards recognise excellence in a number of areas relating to services that clubs offer the local community.
"With more than 320,000 people in WA registered as members of a club, organisations were often at the heart of a thriving community.
With more than 320,000 people in WA registered as members of a club, organisations were often at the heart of a thriving community.
- Colin Holt.
"A healthy club is often a reflection of a healthy community and I'm thrilled to see regional WA so well represented among the nominees, with Dunsborough and Districts Country Club, Albany Italian Club and Kununurra's Ord River Sports Club all winning awards.
"At last count, rural areas accounted for about 59 per cent of total club membership.
"This is even more impressive when you consider only 20 per cent of the State's population live in rural areas."
Some of the winners below:
2016 WA Best Club Function Facility (Small) Award
Guilderton Country Club
Best Club Function Facility (Medium) Award
Dunsborough and Districts Country Club
Best Club Function Facility (Large) Award
Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club
Best Club Chef Award
John O'Hara, Royal Perth Golf Club
Best Club Sandwich Award
Fiona Whife, South of Perth Yacht Club
Best Club TAB Award
Thornlie Bowling Club
Best Club Members Event (Small) Award
Gosnells Bowling Club
Best Club Members Event (Medium) Award
Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club
Best Club Members Event (Large) Award
Royal Perth Golf Club
Best Industry Supplier of the Year
Mal Atwell, Mal Atwell Leisure Group
