Sport Climbing Victoria are always striving to grow our sport and ensure we are recognised at an elite level. We attend many functions to achieve this behind the scenes. Board member Roisin Briscoe attended one such event last night:
As a new budding Olympic sport, Sport Climbing Victoria were delighted to accept an invite to the Victorian Olympic Council (VOC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Awards Cocktail evening held at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
Upon arriving there was an instant sense of awe to know I was in the room with past Olympians who have taken their sport to the highest level.
The evening started with the Olympians Club of Victoria AGM which was chaired by President Leon Wiegard OAM. Clearly comfortable in the role, Leon had the room under his spell from the moment he started. He had a way of making the AGM fun and was finished with the formalities in lightening speed.
This was followed by the VOC AGM who also moved through the formalities at a brisk pace to ensure more attention could be given to the awardees of the hour.
There were three awardees to be honoured last night which was followed by recognition of William Alstergren QC who was recognised for his work as the former Vice President of the VOC (pictured top right).
The first honour was awarded to Thomas Sweeney of Tennis Victoria for the Julius Patching Sports Official of the Year Award. This award is to honour an official who has gone above and beyond in their sport. In 2015 Thomas Sweeney was also awarded the Official of the Year at the Vic Sport Awards.
This was followed by an induction of Life Membership to the Victorian Olympic Council. This was awarded to Raymond Weinberg AM, who designed and manufactured the first Australian Olympic lapel pin in 1952 for the Helsinki Olympics among many other accomplishments. This was accepted on his behalf by daughter Michelle Weinberg (pictured bottom right). Michelle mentioned that there is no such thing as an ex olympian – I look forward to the day one of our athletes gets to make that claim.
The final honour for the evening was the Order of Merit of the Victorian Olympic Council awarded to Nicole Livingstone OAM (pictured top left). Livingstone is a three-time swimming Olympian and has recently taken up the role as the Chief Executive Officer of AFL Women’s – a passion I share with Nicole!
This concluded the formalities and guests were encouraged to mingle with the dignitaries. Naturally, I headed directly to Warwick Waters, Executive Director, to talk all things climbing, making sure I mentioned our Youth Olympic hopeful Ned Middlehurst and VIS athlete Oceana Makcenzie. It was humbling to have Warwick offer his full support to climbing – I am sure I will be in touch soon!
-Roisin Briscoe, Vice President, Sport Climbing Victoria.
