Sparkles’ and Nicole’s DUCKS FOR LIFE Awards
NICOLE Johnstone and David
nd
“Sparkle” Sparkes were awarded Life Memberships at the Dubbo Ducks annual presentation dinner on Saturday night.
Nicole became just the second female to receive the honour so it was appropriate that Judy Walsh, who broke the glass ceiling many years ago, was on hand to witness Nic and her old sparring partner “Ned” Sparkes receive their “Feathers for Life”.
Ducks Publicity Officer, Janine Gardiner, says the honours were richly deserved.
“Nicole uses her excellent organisational skills to help keep the Dubbo Ducks in line while David has been a member since 2008 and Captain for the last six years.”
Janine also revealed news about one of the Duck’s elders.
“Tom Gray, who recently received an OBE – ‘Over Bloody
Eighty’ award – is standing down as Club Chairperson after 21 years.
“We all thanked him for his hard work and dedication over the years, Tom reassured us that he would still be competing each week!” Janine revealed.
Another of the Duck’s greyplumed “Quackers” Reg Ferguson, also celebrated his 90th birthday during the week and cut the cake on Saturday night.
“Reg has been a member of the Ducks since 1984 and has plenty of stories to tell about the people he has met through the club and the friendships he has made,” Janine said.
Some of the major bouquets presented on the night are listed below. Dubbo Photo News will have the full list of awardees in next week’s edition.
Club Person of the Year – Judy Walsh Yearly Pointscore – David Sparkes, Neil Harris (second) and Nicole
Johnstone (third)
Open Championship and Open 100 metres – Mark Scullard
RSL Championship over 60 – Tom Gray
Service Championship under 60 – Craig Ross
Champion of Champions – Mal Cavanagh
Most Breaker – Norm Barr
Most improved – Mia Ubergang
Ken Mcmullen Community Service Award – Bill Greenwood
Stirrer’s Spoon – Peter Allen
In club results for Sunday 21 April, winners were:
50-metre Freestyle – 1st Marg Ross, 2nd Neil Harris, 3rd Mia Uebegang, 4th Judy Walsh. (Dick Whitford broke).
Breaststroke Relay – 1st Mark Prentice/mia Uebegang, 2nd Peter Allen/jacob Pearce.
25 metre Backstroke – 1st Judy Walsh, 2nd Hazel Mathuthu, 3rd Henry Willcockson, 4th Jacob Pearce.
25-metre Butterfly – 1st Henry Willcockson, 2nd Tom Gray, 3rd Judy Walsh, 4th Mark Prentice