Bob Dunstan Award

This award is named in honour of Mr. Robert Dunstan OAM. Bob is a Life Member of the Umpires Association, and umpired over 800 matches in the VAFA.

This award is presented to a member who provides exceptional service to the Association.

Previous recipients:

2023: Asha Hinton

2022: Adrian Keane

2021: William Houston

2020: Not awarded

2019: Mitsuo Nire

2018: Dominic Napoli

2017: Terry Gunn

2016: Owen Hinson

2015: Bernie Jephson

2014: Mark Gibson

2013: Darren Dalgliesh

2012: Wayne Hinton

2011: Sean Scully Snr

2010: David Hindle

2009: Brian Woodhead

2008: Michael Troup

2024 recipient: Jess Styan

2007: Santo Caruso

2006: Paul Jones

2005: Sue Anderson

2004: Vin Vescovi

2003: Ron Martyn

2002: Anthony Damen

2001: Andrea Thwaites

2000: Mark Jenkins

1999: John Robinson

1998: Leah Gallagher

1997: Geoff Grigg

1996: Mark Bushfield

1995: John Kelly

1994: Stephen Hopper

1993: Mike Murray

1992: Don McKenzie

Andy Carrick Award

This award is named in honour of Mr. Andy Carrick, who lost his battle with cancer in 2001. Andy was a likeable larrikin who umpired many games in the VAFA. Andy was a hugely valuable contributor to the VAFA Umpires Association in the lower grades.

The award is presented to a member of the Umpires Association who does not necessarily umpire in the higher sections, but performs admirably and with dedication each week throughout the season.

2024 recipient: Jeremy Chait

Previous recipients:

2023: Jim Marinis

2022: Tony Psinas

2021: John Cahir

2020: Not awarded

2019: Bill Evans

2018: Tony Corr

2017: Jeanine McDonald

2016: Christopher Lonergan

2015: Graeme Booth

2014: Peter Griffiths

2013: Paul Jones

2012: Paul Tuppen

2011: Anthony Simpson

2010: Alan Stubbs

2009: Peter Pullen

2008: Sean Scully Snr

2007: Peter Teasdale

2006: Tony Lilley

2005: Michael Forde

2004: Michael Gilday

2003: David D'Altera

2002: Alan Ladd

Umpire of the Year & Most Promising Umpire Awards

Umpire of the Year (UOTY) is presented by the VAFA to an umpire who consistently shows a high level of umpiring ability, has a feel for the game, a good rapport with clubs, and shows a commitment to the umpiring group.

Most Promising Umpire (MPU) is presented by the VAFA to a young umpire in the early stages of their development who has shown the commitment to umpiring and willingness to learn that is required to progress to a higher level.

2024 recipients: Daniel Silfo (UOTY) and Angus Bunker-Smith (MPU)

Previous recipients (UOTY):

2023: Michael Gough

2022: Campbell Hymans

2021: Daniel Silfo

2020: Not awarded

2019: Matthew Oakley

2018: Matthew Oakley

2017: Haydn O'Connor

2016: Matthew Oakley

2015: Daniel Silfo

2014: Russell Davidson

2013: Mervyn Monty

2012: Matthew Pryor

2011: Luke Holmes

2010: Grant Wardrop

2009: Shane Mackintosh

2008: Luke Holmes

2007: Tim Sutcliffe

2006: Russell Davidson

2005: Leah Gallagher

2004: Stephen McCarthy

2003: Tim Sutcliffe

2002: Mark Gibson

2001: Mark Gibson

2000: Mark Gibson

Previous recipients (MPU):

2023: Jack Seymour

2022: Jonathan Clark

2021: Campbell Hymans

2020: Not awarded

2019: Oliver Murray

2018: Jackson Gillespie

2017: Benjamin Traplin

2016: George Wood

2015: Peter Bailes

2014: Samuel Levin

2013: Oliver Bell

2012: Ben Nicholson

2011: Jayde Daly

2010: Matthew Pryor

2009: Jarryd Barry

2008: Daniel Lawler

2007: Thomas Windlow

2006: Tim Saunders

2005: Robert O'Gorman

2004: Benjamin Ryde

Golden Whistle Award

The Golden Whistle is awarded to an umpire who has been identified as having both the talent and desire to umpire at the highest level.

2024 recipient: Jordan Gibson

Previous recipients:

2023: Adam Bailes

2022: Campbell Hymans

2021: Tom O'Connor

2020: Not Awarded

2019: Oliver Murray

2018: Jackson Gillespie

2017: Josh Ball

2016: Logan Webster

2015: Peter Bailes

2014: Mitchel Jones

2013: Kit Harvey

2012: Matthew Dervan

2011: Andrew Heffernan

2010: David Anselmi

2009: Dan Lawlor

2008: Joel Morrison

2007: Nick Brown

2006: Lucas Robson

2005: Joe Hartwig

2004: Ben Ryde

2003: Sean Scully Jnr

2002: Matthew Taylor

2001: Grant Wardrop

2000: Leon Quinn

1999: Michael Allen

1998: Andrew Stephens

1997: Craig O'Donoghue

1996: Matthew McCrohan

1995: George Gioras

1994: Joseph Ischia

1993: Tim Sutcliffe

1992: Justin Garrett

1991: Brad Lowe

Most Improved Umpires: Field, Boundary & Goal

The Most Improved awards are presented to the umpires who have shown significant improvement of their skill, fitness and understanding of the game throughout the season.

2024 recipients: Gina Mondschein (Field), Zane White (Boundary) and Jesse Rawack (Goal)

Previous recipients (Field):

2023: Conor Mooney

2022: Hunter Targett

2021: Michael Evans

2020: Not awarded

2019: Campbell Hymans

2018: James McCartney

2017: William Houston

2016: Shaun Bourke

2015: Matthew Clinton

2014: Alexandria Anthony

2013: Samuel Levin

2012: Sean Scully Jnr

2011: Andrew Green

2010: Damien Anthony

2009: Shane McNamara

2008: Patrick Gallus

2007: Michael Hooper

2006: Jamie Mayhew-Sharp

2005: Daniel Silfo

2004: Simon Stokes

2003: Ashley Hoogendyk

2002: Mark Morrison

2001: Leah Gallagher

2000: Grant Wardrop

1999: Dirk Kramer

1998: Albie Firley

1997: Jamie Kvins

1996: Heath Little

1995: Phil Callil

1994: Anthony Damen

1993: Peter Simpson

Previous recipients (Bndry):

2023: Xavier Hendy

2022: Jack Lourie

2021: Nathan Monty

2020: Not awarded

2019: Ben Myatt

2018: Charles Schwerdt

2017: Nick Obst

2016: James Hackett-Smith

2015: Sam Beer

2014: Chris Harding

2013: Hugh Bennett

2012: Mitchel Jones

2011: Rob Hamilton

2010: Jack Cooper

2009: Julian Maccioni

2008: Ben Halfpenny

2007: Cameron Smith

2006: James Scully

2005: Peter Monotti

2004: Rob Mayston Jnr

2003: Scott Fraser

2002: Neil Woods

2001: Andrew Rechtman

2000: Rohan Dever

1999: Brendan Corcoran

1998: Not Awarded

1997: Cameron Kiely

1996: Matthew Tape

1995: Jonathon Stevenson

1994: David Fowler

1993: Michael Shelton

Previous recipients (Goal):

2023:

2022: Patrick Newson

2021: Katie Gillespie

2020: Not awarded

2019: Matthew Laird

2018: Joel Bright

2017: Jack Stammers

2016: Jasmina Lieu

2015: Michael Driver

2014: Patrick Holmes

2013: Anthony Damen

2012: Ray Stokes

2011: Matthew Dervan

2010: Craig Brajtberg

2009: Adrian Keane

2008: Alistair Kyrkou

2007: Chris Kearney

2006: Michael O'Donell

2005: Gavin Roberts

2004: Chris Doyle

2003: Paul Gatt

2002: Clive Shipley

2001: Beornn McCarthy

2000: Russell Owens

1999: Not Awarded

1998: Not Awarded

1997: Anthony Simpson

1996: Bradley Nash

1995: Michael Richardson

1994: Bruce Stadus

1993: Gordon Chalmers

Ryan Robertson Young Achiever & Best First Year Umpires Awards

The Young Achiever award was renamed in 2021 after VAFAUA Life Member Ryan Robertson. The Ryan Robertson Young Achiever award is presented to an umpire under the age of 20 who regularly attends training and association meetings, shows improvement throughout the year, and mixes well with the umpiring group.

The Best First Year Umpire award is presented to umpires who have natural umpiring ability, a desire to learn, and a commitment to the umpiring group.

2024 recipients:

Ryan Robertson Young Achiever Award: Xavier Hendy

Best First Year Umpires: Charlie Baker, Tom Morris & Christien Specha

Previous recipients (Young Achiever):

2023: Tom Masters & Tim Wood

2022: Angus Bunker-Smith

2021: Jonathan Clark

2020: Not awarded

2019: Lachlan Clancy

2018: Patrick Mathews

2017: Raushaan Seychell

2016: Adrian Pretorius

2015: Hamish McCartney

2014: Alanah French

2013: Eliot Fabris

2012: Nathan Morton

2011: Kit Harvey

2010: Mitsuo Nire

2009: Jaryd Barry

2008: Jayde Daly

2007: James Scully

2006: Alexandria Anthony

Previous recipients (First Year Umpire):

2023: Woody Wanless, Dale Nathan & Sullivan Hendrickson

2022: Patrick Sexton, Kalani Lang & Charlie Rankins

2021: Jordan Gibson & Harrison Gillespie

2020: Not awarded

2019: Sam Scott

2018: Vo Schofield

2017: Peter Kotsaridis & Tom O'Connor

2016: James Bett

2015: Logan Webster

2014: Jack Punshon

2013: Asha Hinton

2012: Ben La Vale & Leigh Saunders

2011: Josh Prince

2010: Jarron Fisher

2009: Tony Hope

2008: Not Awarded

2007: Not Awarded

2006: Michael Hegan

2005: Shane Mackintosh

2004: Peter Angelis

2003: Peter Liddell

Ten Year Service Award

Umpires who achieve 10 years of service with the VAFA Umpires Association receive a medallion celebrating their long service.

2024:

2023:

2022:

2021:

2020:

2019: Ollie Bell, Ian Clydesdale, Andrew Hartnett, Daniel Silfo & Ray Stokes

2018: Eddie Boal, Geoff Deveson, Brendan Hoornweg, Tony Hope, Christopher Kearney & Thomas Moloney

2017: Clayton Evans, Adrian Keane, Bruce Lister, David Lepair & Cameron Smith

2016: Not Awarded

2015: Alexandria Anthony, Mervyn Monty & Thomas Windlow

2014: David Anselmi, Russell Davidson, Geoff Deveson, Shane McNamara, John Natoli & Frank Palermo

2013: Damien Anthony, Jamie Gunn, Julian Maccioni, Peter Pullen & Avi Wekselman

2012: Not Awarded

2011: Luke Holmes, Robert Parry & Grant Wardrop

2010: Craig Arnol & Simon Stokes

2009: Peter James & Peter Teasdale

2008: Lionel Katz

2007: Paul Jones, Rick Love, Simon Olive & Clive Shipley

2006: Ken McNiece, Dash Pieris, Robert Sneddon & Paul Withington

2005: Peter Griffiths, David Murray, Tim Sutcliffe & Paul Tuppen

2004: John Robinson & Phil Cahill

2003: Jamie Kvins, Rob Mayston, Matthew Meier, Dominic Napoli, Andrew Rechtman & Ross Richards

2002: Mark Jenkins, Jason Moore & Anthony Simpson

2001: Andrea Thwaites, Bernard Jephson & Brendan Corcoran

2000: Sharon Alger & Craig Brajtberg

1999: Anthony Damen & Geoff Curran

1998: Reno Barichievich, Darren Dalgleish, Alan Ladd, Mark Gibson, Ron Martyn & Peter Simpson

1997: Leah Gallagher, John Kelly, Robert Seymour & Justin Toohey

1996: Richard Eastwood, Sam Kahn, Frank Martinez, Bill Fowler, Geoff Kelly, Geoff Ridd, David Fowler, Chris Keeton & Graham Thwaites

1995: Mark Bushfield, Michael Lentini, Alan Stubbs, Peter Keogh & Ken Pitcher

1994: Robert Bell, Wayne Hinton, David Miller, Steve Clinch, Tim Keating, Ron Smith, David D'Altera & Bernie Hoare

1993: Steve McCarthy

1992: Andrew Belcher, Michael Gilday, Peter Harris & Michael Forde

1991: Garry Clancy, Julian Velleman, Peter Wiseman, Breck Hayward & Ken Walker

1990: Kevin Segota

1989: Not Awarded

1988: Ken Coughlan

1987: Not Awarded

1986: Not Awarded

1985: Wayne Henry & Ian Malcolm

1984: Graham Cavanagh, John Smith, Richard Tracey & Michael Murray

1983: Pat Maebus

1982: Not Awarded

1981: Kevin McMahon & Arthur Smith

1980: Brian Goodman, John Hinton & Don McKenzie

1979: Peter King, Phillip Rowell & David Hindle

1978: Colin Wills

1977: Graham C. Simpson

1976: Robert Dunstan, Gerald Minsom, Daryl Hill & Trevor Rowe

1975: Peter Feil

1974: Alan Bishop, R. Cogden, Brian Nichols, Ralph Bridges, Edward Keating & Clarey Paizis

1973: William Ahlm, Ian Marsden, Graeme M. Simpson, Don Dodds, William Mason, Ron Saunders, Alan Duckworth, Jim Peters, Geoff Thomas, Brian Haggarty, John Posetti, Lance Williams, Don Hillier & Hec Roberts