Rookie Awards

Rookie Awards for Dragons Abreast Canberra

• The Rookie Awards was an initiative of the 2017-2018 Committee, and it was planned for these awards be awarded annually at "GoAnna's Gatherings"
• There are 2 awards – One a dragon statuette donated by Robyn Chen, and one a wooden paddle donated by Megan Dennis. 
• The Rookie award is presented to a paddler who has joined Dragons Abreast Canberra in the preceding paddling season from September to September.
• The awards to be decided and presented by the Come and Try team. 
• The criteria for the award included that the Rookie paddler has:
  * Adhered to the principles and philosophies of DAA.
  * Strived to learn the required skills to be an effective paddler 
  * Showed improvement in paddling skills over the year 
  * Strived to improve personal fitness
  * Showed persistence in attending as many training sessions and regattas as personal circumstances permit
  * Participated and volunteered in team events both on and off water.

Awardees:

• 2018 – Kathy Hayes, Natalie Evans-Sandell, Helen Couper-Logan (citations below)

• 2019 – Deb Lopert/Che Mortimer (citations)
• 2020 – Megan Davis/Sugar Masangcay (citations)
• 2021 – Claudia Schiliró/ Fiona Maguire (citations)
• 2022 – Joanne Widdup/April Weiss (citations)
• 2023 – Carol McAlwee/Kim Tito (citations)
• 2024 - Simary Hackforth-Jones/Maree Irving (citations) 

Inaugural Awards presented in 2018:

In 2018, the awards were presented at the Dragons Abreast Canberra Christmas Party for a variety of reasons. The members of the previous Come and Try team, (Maureen , Clare and Elly),  were asked to nominate persons who they considered were qualified for the Rookie awards. There were quite a few eligible people who joined Dragons Abreast in the qualifying period (in this case September 2017 to September 2018), and it was difficult for us to make a decision, as all of those people have made a positive difference to the club.

Dragon Statuette donated by Robyn Chen

Was presented to Kathy Hayes who joined DA Canberra on 13 November 2017. It’s hard to imagine that she has only been a member for a year as she has been involved in so many events since then. Kathy embraced everything about DA with great enthusiasm. She is a regular paddler and always happy to give something new a go – whether it is stroking the boat or trying out for ACT Fire. I’ve never heard her complain when given instructions by the coach or asked to sit in a particular seat in the boat. 

Kathy trained hard and was part of our Florence team at the IBCPC Regatta in July this year. She is currently training for the Ord River 55 km paddle in June next year and has been taking part in both Kelie and Lisi’s exercise classes to improve her fitness.  Earlier this year, Kathy volunteered to take on the Merchandise Officer position when Cindy wished to pass it on and has been handling this very competently since then. She has also volunteered for DA Canberra for fundraising events such as the stall at Bakers Delight. 

Kathy is a happy, positive and enthusiastic member of Dragons Abreast Canberra and a very worthy recipient of a Rookie Award for 2018.

 Wooden paddle – donated to DAC by Megan Dennis

There were two members who were deemed worthy recipients.

Natalie Evans-Sandell - embodies what it means to be a member of Dragons Abreast Canberra and more broadly Dragons Abreast Australia.  She trained hard to be a member of the Florence team in July 2018. For a lot of us we got to know Natalie a little better when we were in Florence. I ran into Natalie sitting in the train station in Venice as we were both making our way to Florence. It was wonderful to hear about her journey at that time. Although Natalie stayed a little bit away from where most of the team were located she did not let that stop her joining in the DA activities. Natalie would hop on her bike and peddle to meet us and then peddle home again.  

Natalie is a regular at training and always give 100% during the sessions. She is always cheerful and even as a relative newbie I would consider Natalie to be a role model to both current and new members. Natalie has had some health challenges since returning from Florence but despite this she shown the most incredible strength and positivity. Natalie  kept coming to training and DAC social events even during her treatments. 

Natalie recently organized and ran an event to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It was a privilege to be able to attend this fund-raiser and support Natalie. She did the most unreal job and we are so proud of what she achieved. For those of you who aren't aware here are a few words about NBCF. 
"Our goal is zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030. The more research we can fund, the sooner we’ll get there. NBCF-funded research is improving our understanding of how breast cancer originates, grows and spreads so that we can improve the outcomes for all who are impacted".
It was an enormously successful event and I know that we all hope that the money raised will enable more research that will help kick this b----  to the kerb. Natalie has gone over and above in raising awareness of breast cancer in the community.  Natalie has volunteered her time at the Handmade Markets shaking the pink bucket and was a part of the DA Relay for Life team in 2018.

Helen Couper Logan joined Dragons Abreast in November 2017, after coming along to one of our Come and Try sessions in the September. Helen was keen about dragon boating from that very first paddle. She was excited to hear about our planned trip to Florence, Italy for the IBCPC Regatta in July this year, and put her name down to be a part of the team almost immediately.  Getting fit enough to go to Florence was difficult for Helen as she battled illnesses and surgeries in the lead up to Florence, but she kept coming to training sessions when she could, as well as going to the gym to try to increase her fitness. There were not many people in the team more glad. She has recently registered to do the marathon Ord River Paddle of 55 kms in June next year. 

But Helen has also been a great team member off the water. She encourages fellow paddlers personally, and attends as many social events as she can. Earlier this year she (with the help of  her family) enthusiastically assisted in the supply of tents and equipment, and setting up for the Relay for Life, as well as  walking many laps of the Relay. Helen also volunteers for other events such as helping at the Bakers Delight fundraising stall for BCNA. 

At the Annual General Meeting in August Helen volunteered to assist with the new Come and Try team, and helped with the advertising of the September event in the media, even though she was planning for another important trip overseas.

Gallery of Awardees:

Kate Reid and Joanne Widdup present Simary Hackforth-Jones
with the joint Rookie Award for 2024. Carol McAlwee and Kim Tito
the 2023 recipients also congratulate Simary. Image: Kerrie Griffin.

Simary Hackforth-Jones with the joint Rookie Award for 2024
presented at the National Library of Australia, 16 December 2024.
Image: Kerrie Griffin.

Kate Reid on behalf of the Come and Try team presents Maree Irving
with the joint Rookie Award for 2024. Previous 2023 recipient and
Head Coach Kim Tito also congratulates Maree as does Jeannie
and Kellie in the background at the DAC Christmas Party for 2024.

Kate Reid and Sugar Masangcay presented the Rookie Award wooden paddle and dragon statuette
to joint recipients Carol McAlwee and Kim Tito, DAC Christmas Party 2 December 2023.
Coach Donna Lennon read the citations. Image: Kerrie Griffin.

Clare Smyth with Kellie Nissen and Deborah Lopert present both recipients
Joanne Widdup and April Weiss with the Rookie Award for 2022.
From L to R: Clare, Joanne, April, Kellie and Deborah.

Clare Smyth and Megan Davis present Megan Dennis's paddle to
Joanne Widdup as co-recipient of the Rookie Award for 2022.

Clare Smyth, Megan Davis and Robyn Chen present Robyn's trophy to
Joanne Widdup as co-recipient of the Rookie Award for 2022.
Kellie Nissen holds the Megan Dennis paddle award.

Fiona Maguire awarded joint Rookie Award for 2021 at Tuesday Paddling,
14 December 2021. Photo Credit: Kerrie Griffin.

Megan Dennis presented the joint Rookie Award 2021 (aka her old wooden paddle circa 2003)
to Claudia Schiliró, with former Come and Try team members Janet Olsen and Anita Godley,
DA Christmas Party, Norton Road Wines 12 December 2021 Photo credit: Kerrie Griffin.

Megan Davis and Sugar Masangcay share the Rookie Award for 2020.

Rookie award for 2019 shared jointly by Deborah Lopert and Che Mortimer.
Presented at a DBACT Regatta by Anita Godley with Julie Chynoweth.

Come and Try team Helen Couper-Logan, Katrina Gilmour and Anita Godley present
Rookie award for 2019 jointly to Deborah Lopert (pictured) and Che Mortimer.

Come and Try team (Maureen, Elly and Clare) present Kathy Hayes
with Rookie Award 2018 - Dragon Statuette donated by Robyn Chen.

Come and Try team (Maureen, Elly and Clare) present Natalie (shared with Helen)
the Rookie Award  2018 - a Wooden paddle donated to DAC by Megan Dennis.

Come and Try team (Maureen, Elly and Clare) present Helen (shared with Natalie)
the Rookie Award  2018 -   a Wooden paddle donated to DAC by Megan Dennis.