Several members of the NSW netball community were recognised with honours yesterday including a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for Nancy Dwyer, and four Medals of The Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Divisions for members of the Randwick and Bankstown City Netball Associations.
NANCY DWYER AM
Dwyer (Newcastle Netball Association), who was recognised for her significant service to netball in NSW, has been involved in the game for over 80 years and held various Executive roles in that time.
In Newcastle she has served as secretary, captain, coach, umpire and convener, while she also coached in Tonga, Vanuatu, West Samoa and the Cook Islands.
Dwyer was a founding member of the Cardiff Netball Club in 1953, whose courts are named after her.
MARIE KELLY OAM
Kelly, an Executive Committee Member of Randwick Netball Association for over four decades and the President for 19 years, is a Life Member of the Association. She introduced the Association’s Juniors Program with Anne Clarke and Grace McDonald in Raleigh Park in the 1960s, and is one of the longest serving presidents of a district Association in the state.
Kelly has dedicated a huge amount of time to younger athletes and has travelled all around Australia supporting and mentoring them as a manager, all on a voluntary basis.
MAUREEN MUNCE OAM
For the last 55 years, she has served on the Randwick Executive Committee and been a central figure in the growth of the game, helping numerous other districts - particularly country Associations - with their development. An umpire, coach and manager for Randwick at Netball NSW’s Junior and Senior State Titles over the past 42 years, she has also worked on numerous subcommittees such as those concerning Rep Team Selections, Gradings and Fixtures.
FRAN REYNOLDS OAM
Reynolds has been a member of the Matraville Tigers Netball Club for over 48 years, holding an array of roles including President, Vice President, Team Coach and Selector. She’s also served on Randwick’s Executive Committee for the last 46 years again with a variety of volunteer positions.
On top of all that, for 41 years she has been a Representative Team Manager. Reynolds is much loved for picking up players who have no transport and driving them to carnivals, state championships, training sessions and to Netball Central
DOROTHY (DOT) KELLY OAM
A founder member of the South Bankstown Netball Club (1963-2015) Dot Kelly has also been awarded an OAM for service to netball in the Bankstown region. She has mentored all coaches from grassroots level to championship level.
During her time at the Bankstown City Netball Association (1971 – 1999) she coached 33 Bankstown Representative teams with 12 State Age Champions and all other teams finishing within the top five of the state. She was awarded Life Membership of Bankstown City 1982.
Also a member of Liverpool Netball Association, her generous spirit shone through in her ability to reach out to people who had never played before, providing transport, uniforms and care to teenagers who could not have played the game.
JODIE CASSAR
In further good news for netball, Jodie Cassar from Medowie was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service and leadership working across government to deliver advice, advice, information and support for people with disability, workers and carers during the COVID -19 pandemic.
“The recipients have had a significant impact at the local, national and international level and are, quite simply, inspiring,” Governor-General David Hurley AC DSC said.
Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan also congratulated all the recipients on their recognition for many years of dedication.
“Thank you to not only the people who have been recognised for their service but to all our volunteers and Netball Community for their ongoing support and commitment to Netball in NSW,” she said.
