20 finalists eye big prize for volunteering

Geelong’s most dedicated sports volunteer will earn $5000 for themselves and their club at the inaugural Club Legend Award next Monday.
Viva Energy will reveal the winner in front of more than 100 people from Geelong’s business and sporting communities.
“We are privileged to be able to share their story with the community, and provide them with the recognition they deserve,” Geelong Refinery general manager Thys Heyns said.
“We set out to reward and recognise exceptional role models at sporting clubs, and we believe we have done that.”
Mr Heyns joined sporting, business and Geelong council representatives on a 10-person panel to pick the winner from 20 finalists last Friday.
The 20 selfless volunteers had already earned $1000 each for themselves and their clubs by making the shortlist.
The competition received 147 entries, almost triple the amount organisers expected, representing sports from Gaelic football to special Olympics.
“The response to the program has been extremely positive and very pleasing,” Mr Heyns said.
The competition received nearly 4000 votes from the public for the People’s Choice Award.
The winner of the public vote will receive $2000 for themselves and their club, as will the award’s runner-up.
Radio commentator Tom King will be MC at the Club Legend Award at Simonds Stadium on Monday night.
“We are very excited to celebrate all the finalists on Monday evening and award this year’s overall winner,” Mr Heyns said.