THE very people who’ve made basketball happen in Greater Shepparton over many years gathered recently for the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association’s first ever Life Members Presentation Gala Dinner.
“Basketball has been very good to these people, but more importantly these people have been good to basketball. They’ve given endless hours of their time, passion, and meritorious service to the association over many years and have been deemed by their peers to be worthy of the highest honour and shall receive all rights and privileges as determined by the association” said GSBA president, Peter Sutherland.
27 Life members, were re-recognised and presented with new medallions and framed certificates featuring the new GSBA logo, and professionally photographed against the GSBA media wall with dignitary David Huxtable from Basketball Victoria.
The eight new inductees on the night were Ange Frame, sisters Kylie Doyle & Jackie Marshall, Ian McDonald, Peter Sutherland, Michelle Judd, and Bruce and Laurell Bartlett.
Well-known basketball identity, Noel Browne, opened the evening with a trip down memory lane of wonderful history noting the great players, umpires, characters and coaches who applied their magic and took players to elite levels.
The names who led the association over the past 50 plus years were all in attendance, Ada Harris, Shane O’Brien, Ray Nioa, Tony Long and David Freer.
Umpires Keith Rensford and Mal Watt shared wonderful memories, together with revered coaches Russell Parker, Speedy Frame, Jim Wilson, and Chris Judd.
Generations are thankful to the ladies who’ve been in the office, in the ticket box, managing the draws and courts, respected names like Di Lundberg, the numbers wizard Pat Edwards, Alison Mastin, Laurell Bartlett, Junior’s flag flyer Mary-Ann Barton, Joan McAuliffe and the first-ever lady Gator Jodie Freer who played 287 games for the Gators.
Rex Collard, Simon Mills, Irene Young, Judy Bogdan, and Deenie Rensford were unable to make the night, however, all were dually noted for the stellar contributions.
In 2023 plans are underway for a ‘GSBA Back To Event’ for players, coaches and supporters and the association is currently gathering materials to ensure a spectacular event.
For years now local basketball has been experiencing growing pains and the GSBA is working with Basketball Victoria and the Greater Shepparton City Council to advance our court volume and facilities to accommodate growth for the next 50 years, and to secure the big basketball events and tournaments.
