2007 AWARD WINNERS

EDDIE GILBERT MEDAL

Johnathan Thurston, Rugby League Player and finalist from North Queensland is the inaugural winner of the Eddie Gilbert Medal.

CATHERINE FREEMAN ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD WINNER

Otis Gowa, Athlete and finalist from Far North Queensland was selected as the 2007 recipient of the Catherine Freeman Encouragement Award.

Otis Gowa with Richard Griffiths, Chairman of Sports Federation Queensland

LEIGH ANN GOODWIN INDIGENOUS SPORTS YOUTH AWARD WINNER

Joshua Ah Wong (17) from East Mackay is an Aboriginal elite athlete. Josh helps team mates warm up at competitions and encourages them to do their best. He is often seen mowing the track when visiting Longreach and doing local charity walks. He also takes part in clean-up Australia.

Josh has helped out at Saint Mary’s school for Multicultural Day. He ran the Aboriginal Games activity and has done so for several years now at schools in Townsville, Longreach and Mackay as part of their NAIDOC Week activities.

Awards
• 2006 North Mackay Sportsperson of the Year Award
• Gold U’20 400m and 4x 400m open relay
• Silver U’20 800m
• 2004 Age Champion,
• 2004 Club Champion and Outstanding Achiever at club level

Sports
• 2007 Jumpstart to London program for elite Indigenous athletes
• 2007 U’20 and open Australian Indigenous Team – Arafura Games in Darwin
• State Champion in 400m and 800m
• National Champion in U’17 400m
• 2006 competed in Samoa as a member of the Australian U’18 Oceania team – won 2 gold medal for 800m and medley relay, 2 silver medals for 400m and 4x 100m relay

Joshua (second from right) with Payden Goodwin, Barbara Goodwin and Rachel Nolan

REGIONAL WINNERS

Worrin Williams - Cricket- SEQ
Shannon Walker - Rugby League - SEQ
Davina Hughes - Weightlifting - SWQ
Corey Blade - Various Sports - SWQ
Steven Walsh - Tae Kwon Do - CQ
Robbie Crowther - Athletics - CQ
Johnathan Thurston - Rugby League - NQ
Rohanee Cox - Basketball - NQ
Travis Fraser - Rugby League - NWQ
Alfred Ned - Rugby League - NWQ
Justin Hodges - Rugby League - FNQ
Otis Gowa - Athletics - FNQ
Elsie Seriat - Rugby League - TSI
Michael Bani - Rugby League - TSI