Roger Allen, Treasurer of the North Geelong Cricket Club, has triumphed over 150 other unsung sporting heroes to become the first Viva Energy Geelong Refinery Club Legend.
At an awards evening held at Simonds Stadium last night, Roger, affectionately known as 'Mr North Geelong', was recognised for his dedication, commitment and patience in nurturing the club’s junior members and instilling a love of sport, confidence and life skills specifically in those less fortunate.
The judges found his humble, generous and quiet achieving manner an inspiration. His efforts in developing a family friendly and inclusive culture at the club earned him the position of this year’s greatest club role model.
Commenting on the win, Roger said; “Winning the Viva Energy Australia Club Legend award is a very humbling experience and an amazing reward for my fifty five plus years serving the North Geelong Cricket Club. I would like to thank Viva Energy for initiating this award and congratulate all the volunteers who were nominated. Where would our communities be without volunteers?”
Roger took home $5,000 as an individual prize and $5,000 for the North Geelong Cricket Club.
Hot on Roger’s heels, and taking out the Club Legend Runner Up Award, was Claire Barnes, Executive Committee Member of Newtown City Hockey Club who received the $2,000 individual prize as well as $2,000 for the club. Under Claire’s stewardship the Newtown City Hockey Club has become the largest regional hockey club in Victoria. She was recognised for her contribution in recruitment and junior development.
The people’s choice award went to Josip Zilic, Junior Coach and Operations Manager for North Geelong Warriors Football Club for his can-do attitude and efforts integrating migrant communities into Australian sport. He also received a $2,000 individual prize and matching amount for the North Geelong Warriors Football Club.
Viva Energy General Manager Refining, Thys Heyns said, “Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and participants who have all been recognised for their remarkable contribution to their clubs and to the community.
“Viva Energy Geelong Refinery is delighted with the level of interest in this year’s Club Legend award with almost 150 nominations received. We are proud to support such inspiring role models within Greater Geelong’s sporting clubs and we are proud to be part of this great community.”
The finalists, who each received $1,000 for themselves and their clubs, are:
Len Alford - Newtown & Chilwell Football Netball
Susan Bissett - Tennis Geelong Inc
Kevin Bowers - Surfside Waves Soccer Club
Carmel Brown - Geelong Canoe Club
Mandi Cole - Geelong Guild Athletic Club
Jill Delahunty - Special Olympics Barwon
Craig Durston - Guild All-Stars Baseball Club
Vic Fuller - Geelong Cats
Fiona Gray - Dolphins Basketball Club
Rebecca Henriksen - St Albans Football and Netball Club
Sadat-Jon Hussain - Geelong Swimming Club
Mary McDonald - Chilwell Athletics Seniors / Little Athletics
Bill Polwarth - Geelong West Giants
John Reaney - Geelong Gaels
David Renton - Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club
Lyn Toll - Geelong Rangers
Tamika Wood - Bell Post Hill Football/Netball Club
About Geelong Refifinery
Built in 1954, the Geelong Refinery has been an integral part of the Geelong community for more than 60-years. It is a key driver of Victoria’s economy, supplying more than half of the State’s fuel requirements, employing about 700 people and spending more than $200 million each year in wages and services.
The Geelong Refinery has a capacity to refine 120,000 barrels of oil per day to produce petrol, diesel, jet fuel, bitumen, LPG, propylene, solvents, avgas and marine fuel oil. Crude oils and feedstock for the refinery come from a variety of sources including locally from Bass Strait, the Otway’s and the Cooper Basin, as well as internationally from Asia, the Middle East and occasionally West Africa.
To ensure Geelong Refinery’s international competitiveness and sustainability, $350 million is being invested into the refinery over a five-year period. This investment has already included projects aimed at improving reliability as well as growth – including two major maintenance projects and the building of a new 100ML crude tank which is nearing completion.
About Viva Energy
Viva Energy is the exclusive licensee to the Shell brand in Australia and was launched in 2014. In addition to its 950 plus Shell branded service station network and its Geelong Refinery (VIC), Viva Energy operates aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants businesses supported by more than 20 storage terminals across the country. Visit www.vivaenergy.com.au