The crowd was larger than last year, and the food excellent. Lead organiser for the evening, the delightful Maylin Chuah received many congratulations as she circulated amongst the social butterflies, and rightfully so.
The Brisbane Ultimate Blog’s reporting team was a bit late, so we didn’t get to catch the red carpet arrivals. And we forgot the camera, so in terms of reporting on the fashions, we can only point to the charming Rowena, fabulous Notty and glam Adilia for their striking outfits, and Mr Blacklock Esquire was looking good as always. Emily G was particularly radiant, along with beau Goldie, and cutest couple was a tight contest between Flan and Cath, Andy and Suze, and Emma and Matt.
On the drinking scene, Mellow Yellow had their backs to the wall for additional support, as dashing Dave B, sturdy Jon, Rob, new chap Josh and the rest of the crew pounded their wrists up and down and barely got out of their chairs. Most of their banter seemed related to the absense of Bermuda Triangle from the festivities. Al Don held up his end also, we understand, well into the wee small hours, we understand. John McNaughton and a few others also kept a close eye on the underdog victory in the Rugby League World Cup, shown on the big screen.
Then it came time for the glittering awards part of the evening, starting with Queensland Frisbee Calf of the Year (the leg bit, not the baby cow). Blindfolded judge Jimmy Larkin, along with offsiders Rob and Jon making suggestions on look, texture and firmness,
Next was the esteemed Brisbane League Director of the Year. Seven people have stepped up to organise Leagues this year, making the decision an exceptionally tough one for the judges - few know of the awesome effort that goes into getting us out there playing Ultimate week after week, and 2008 had been a big out. The crowd hushed and then cheers as a seven way tie was announced! Congratulations to Stu Austin and Jon Good (BPL), Adilia Murabito, Dan Blacklock and Kristin ‘Notty’ Nott (BUML) and Eireann Gilligan and Maylin Chuah (WUFL) for their efforts.
2008 was also an impressive year for Queenslanders striding the international Ultimate stage, so time was taken to cheer on the crew who went to Vancouver in August for the World Ultimate and Guts Championships –Mat Ryan, Mike Neild, Chris Burwell, Piers Truter, Kristin Nott, Al Don, Brock Cunliffe and Will Larkin. Andrew Badman also rates a mention, as Byron Bay is part of Queensland, in our heads at least, and he’s pretty funny, in our heads at least.
We also had a stack of people at the World Beach Ultimate Championships, back in January in Brazil. Congrats again to Kristin Nott, Al Don, Adrian Gepp, Bree Edgar, Danielle Smyth, Chris Cunliffe, James Larkin, Nat Litzow, Shawn Robb and Keith Cameron-Smith (the latter probably the best thing that’s ever come out of Townsville Ultimate (this year at least)). Cheers (or jeers) also to Beth and Stu who played for the Poms!
This left the two biggest awards. Queensland Ultimate Club of the Year was a pretty exciting countdown, and you’ve already read the announcement and details on the Brisbane Ultimate Blog, but congrats to Gold Coast and Byron Bay for pulling equal third, Firestorm for a great year that gave them second, and to the UQ Lovers who pulled in the award for the second year in a row.
Finally, at the inaugural QUDA Bash long ago in 2007, QUDA introduced its Volunteer of the Year award. As the judging committee sat down to consider who it should recognise as the 2008 Volunteer of the Year, one name came up again and again. It was a name that had come up again and again and again and again when the very best in volunteering was considered, and of course, whenever something around Queensland flying disc sports needed to be done, and not just in 2008, but in many years previous.
The judging committee thought about it a bit more and realised that giving this person the 2008 Volunteer of the Year award just wasn’t enough.
So it was very exciting to announce at the QUDA Bash the introduction of the Bruce McNaughton Award. Here’s what the award is about:
The Bruce McNaughton Award (aka ‘the Bruce’) is to be presented by QUDA to recognise outstanding volunteer contributions to the organisation of flying disc sports in Queensland.
The criteria for the award are based around Bruce's own fine attributes. No criteria are compulsory; it is up to the judging panel to decide upon any relative weighting of criteria based on the expectations of the flying disc community, and how to compare candidates with differing backgrounds and attributes. The criteria can be considered as a guideline for nominations, rather than a formula for making the decision.
1. Is, or has been, involved in flying disc sports in Queensland for at least three years.
2. Teaches a love for flying disc sports to new players, and is an exemplar of Spirit of the Game to old.
3. Takes the initiative to address opportunities and needs within the Queensland flying disc community.
4. Takes on formal positions, and smoothly and successfully completes and enhances the duties and responsibilities of the role.
5. Is truthful, courteous and friendly to all.
6. Supports other volunteers and administrators.
7. Has a sense of humour.
8. In particular, the QUDA Management Committee should seek to recognise those people whose volunteer effort goes beyond providing playing opportunities for themselves.
These are qualities that we should all be aiming for, but which the Bruce McNaughton Award winners excel at and make remarkable sacrifices to achieve.
Each year any number of people may receive 'the Bruce', depending on the quality of the nominations. However, QUDA should aim to give approximately one award per year to maintain the prestige of the Award. The Bruce is not intended to be an ‘of the year’ award, but to recognise ongoing and long term achievement – hence the Bruce may also look backwards, to further acknowledge the work of people in developing our sport in the past.
The judging panel will consist of the QUDA Management Committee, who are inelligible for consideration for the first three years that they are members of the Committee. The Secretary shall annually invite nominations from the membership of QUDA. Nominations should list key achievements and be of no more than one page. Members of the Management Committee may draft and submit nominations.
Bruce was acknowledged at the QUDA Bash as the first winner of the award, and a trophy will be presented at the QUDA AGM in March next year. There was much cheering, and perhaps a tear in a few eyes.
After the awards, dessert was presented and the socialising was renewed, before the lights came on and people headed into town to continue the night (although a few went home to bed).
See you next year, and thanks again to Maylin and her helpers for making the night so grand.
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