Umpires celebrate milestones
Special milestones were celebrated at the Gippsland Umpires Association life members’ dinner on Thursday night, with Bruce Pratt inducted as its latest life member.
Pratt’s career with the GUA spans a total of 18 years, during which he has served as president, recruitment officer and umpires representative. He has also served on the Association’s social club committee, including a stint as vice-president.
A popular recipient, Pratt was presented with his life member’s pin by immediate past life member James Quinn, who had been inducted in 2012.
Pratt received a greater cheer when his appointment as goal umpire for the Ellinbank District Football League under 16 grand final was announced, with that appointment marking his 400th game as umpire.
Another special milestone was announced when the grand final appointments were read out, with goal umpire Megan Vistarini becoming the first female umpire in Association history to be appointed to a senior grand final.
Earlier, former AFL umpire and GUA life member Gavin Dore proposed a toast to honour life members past, the latest being the late Ian Ballantyne who had served as president and treasurer.
The Ray Barwick Memorial advisor’s award for a talented umpire coming through the ranks was awarded to second year umpire Daniel Frost. Following his first year on the boundary, Daniel has made a successful transition to field umpiring while also performing as a boundary umpire to a high standard.
Guest speaker AFL great Kevin Sheedy entertained, touching on some stories from his playing days at Richmond, the challenge of building up the Essendon club with restrictions on recruiting zones and provided insight to coaching the young Greater Western Sydney expansion team.
He also spoke on the talent of indigenous players and listed some of the talented AFL players that have hailed from Gippsland.
A live auction of memorabilia was conducted before the announcing of the grand final appointments to conclude the evening. Grand final umpires: Gippsland League U18 (at Moe on Saturday):
Field – Jacob Stuckey, Cameron Lyon, Rod Gillett Emergency – Tim Price Boundary – Kaleb Hermansen, Aaron Bliss, Chris Wallace Goal – Paul Hermansen, Sarah Fitzpatrick West Gippsland Football Competition Under 16 Field – Daniel Frost, Brodie Wyatt, Daniel Webster Emergency – Trevor Griffin Boundary – Kohen Lott-Stephens, Tim Bloye, Josh Bloye Goal – Dimitrios Tzitziras, Rob Logan Under 18 Field – Nicholas Frost, Peter Heywood, James Trowbridge Emergency – Trevor Griffin Boundary – Casey Mills, William Jacobson, Wil Kittelty Goal – Niall Thompson, Samuel Went Ellinbank District Football League Under 16 Field – Lachlan Brown, Jacob Stuckey, Brayden Hoskins Emergency – Vincent Phillips Boundary – Flynn Pallot, Nicholas Caddy, Angus Bridge Goal – Geoff Legge, Bruce Pratt Under 18 Field – Stephen Goodie, Jess Mills, Wayne Hansch Emergency – Cameron Lyon Boundary – Riley Feil, Liam Lyall, Alistair Hood Goal – Michael Caddy, Paul Moseley Reserves Field – Tim Price, Oliver Colman, Chris Behrendorff Emergency – Cameron Lyon Boundary – James Stevenage, James Quinn, David Kingston Goal – Florian Feil, Andrew McKenzie Seniors Field – Josh Nooy, Peter Warden, Gerard Boland Emergency – Rod Gillett Boundary – Noah Pallot, Scott Morrison, Geoff Galbraith
Goal – Megan Vistarini, Glen Frost.