WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026
jobs saved, LOCAL SPORTS UniUnion claims LEGENDS HONOURED ● Deakin University, Burwood
● Beecy Dawber of the Bayswater Junior Football Club
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■ Knox Council last wesdnesday (June 17) celebrated local sport and leisure club volunteers and clubs at its annual Sport and Leisure Awards. Club of the Year Ferntree Gully Tennis Club was awarded Club of the Year for its inclusive and community-focused approach, delivering innovative programs, strong partnerships and initiatives such as disability training, Auslan workshops, leadership development and free community sessions. The club recently received the Most Outstanding Club or Centre at the 2026 Victorian Community Tennis Awards. Best Club-initiated Program Eildon Park Cricket Club claimed the award for their impactful Smash Cricket Social Sixes for Women and Girls, a lowpressure pathway to physical activity and social connection. The program strengthens inclusion and reinforces the club’s role as a community hub Club Person of the Year (Adult) Lee Thompson was honoured for his outstanding leadership at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, supporting both operations and community wellbeing. He champions player mental health while contributing through fundraising and strong governance. Club Person of the Year (Junior) Ayden Yusuf – Templeton Cricket Club. Ayden has created a fun and welcoming environment for young cricketers through his dedicated support of the Junior Blasters program. Hannah Tucker – Ferntree Gully Netball Club. Hannah is an outstanding leader who
supports player development through her coaching, umpiring and delivery of inclusive training sessions. Jack Riddell – Golden Cobra Martial Arts. Jack’s dedication shines through his instructing, event support and encouragement of others to get involved and succeed. Jackson Vassallo – Eastern Raptors Rugby League Club. Jackson leads by example, living the club’s values and contributing across games, training and fundraising. Lucas Santilli – Mountain Gate Cricket Club. Lucas is a valued volunteer whose positivity and willingness to help keeps the club running smoothly behind the scenes. Taylah Snell – Templeton Cricket Club. Taylah’s patience and leadership help young players feel supported, included and excited about cricket. Women in Sport Leadership Beccy Dawber – Bayswater Junior Football Club. A key leader at Bayswater Junior Football Club, Beccy has contributed across multiple roles and drives club development, leading inclusive initiatives, securing funding and strengthening opportunities for women and girls. Years of Service Recognition Peter Williams - Knox Baseball Club (30 years). A long-standing contributor to Knox Baseball Club, Peter has over 15 years of playing service with over 200 games played and has volunteered on the committee and many events. David Rice – Knox Baseball Club (50 years). A fixture at Knox Baseball Club since it was founded in 1977, David has played over 600 games.
■ The National Tertiary Education Union says that it has saved more than 140 jobs at Deakin University after successfully pressuring management to scrap its plan. “Two weeks after announcing a proposal that would have made crucial professional staff redundant, Deakin on Thursday (June 18) confirmed it was withdrawing the plan in full,” a union representative said. “Just days after the cuts were announced, Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Iain Martin resigned. “The positions of an estimated quarter of the workforce would also have been affected with many staff having to re-apply for a job. “The NTEU is urging Deakin to establish a working party of staff, students and management to advise the University Council on lessons to be learnt from the withdrawn proposal in order to establish best-practice protocols for any future major workplace change proposals. NTEU Victoria Division Secretary Sarah Roberts welcomed the withdrawal of Deakin’s plan. "These cuts would have had a devastating impact on livelihoods and torn at the fabric of the entire university,” she said. “This is an enormous victory for NTEU members who stood up against a terrible plan that would have sent shockwaves through the communities that rely on Deakin.” The jobs were across the Burwood and Geelong (Waterfront, Warun Ponds) campuses.
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