Doubt surrounding the future of the awards was brought to a head when only three nominations had been received at the end of the first deadline period.

That was extended but again the Mudgee community failed to support the event which forced members of the Sports Council to ask the question this week if it should continue. 

Mudgee Sports Council president Geoff Robinson said while it was encouraging some representatives admitted fault with not nominating worthy candidates, he said it was still possible the town would lose its premier sporting awards ceremony. 

“It’s future is up in the air until April 28th and while we know we are going to get a few more through, because people last night (Monday) said they would send some through, it still doesn’t mean that there will be enough quality candidates for the main awards,” he said.  

“If we still don’t enough quality candidates I’m still not prepared to say they will go ahead.”

At the meeting members were asked flatly by Robinson if they wanted to save the ceremony, with the question greeted by silence until the floor broke open for discussion. 

“I think it (silence) was from people that were embarrassed,” Robinson said of the hesitation on Monday night.  

“Over the last six months since we have been talking about nominations people have been saying ‘yeah I will do some’ and they haven’t.”

Robinson said he has been left disappointed with several sporting groups in the region who have teams and individuals who have achieved success on and off the field in the past year, but have failed to register them for one of the prestigious awards. 

The leader even set down the challenge to some associations in particular to answer the call and help save the awards. 

“I’m expecting nominations from the schools, I’m expecting nominations from swimming and from netball,” Robinson said.  

“Cycling have also done well in the past year as have triathlon so there are plenty of people who could be put forward and maybe Little A’s just to name a few.” 

Even if the awards are saved this year, Robinson was keen to avoid the same problems at the end of the next voting cycle and suggested a sole person in each club be responsible to nominate worthy people or teams. 

“That is the only solution I could come up with, the people that submit the nominations are the people who already do much of the work in the clubs,” he said.  

“So it’s understandable that there are times they might forget to do it.”

Associations do not need to be affiliated with the Mudgee Sports Council to be eligible to vote and for more information contact Geoff Robinson on 0427 721 674.

Under 13s

Under 18s

Senior

Master (40 plus) 

Athlete with a disability 

Under 13

Under18

Senior

Master (40 plus)

Junior Encouragement award

Volunteer Support 

School Award

Sporting Event of the Year

Service to Sporting Bodies