South Burnett Rugby League rep co-ordinator Scott Prendergast, left, and president Greg Pomfret, right, presented an SBRL Life Membership to “the greatest South Burnett player never to play for Queensland”, Allan Trunks, centre
October 31, 2021
South Burnett rugby league players, coaches, team officials and family members gathered at Wondai Sportsground last week to officially wrap up the 2021 season.
The year was hailed as a success after the pandemic wrecked the 2020 season.
The awards night was hosted by former South Burnett Junior Rugby League president Dave Tierney, with medals and trophies presented to junior and senior players, referees and club officials.
South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto, a former SBJRL president; and Cr Kathy Duff also announced a $1000 donation each from their discretionary funds to the Wondai-Proston JRLFC which hosted the event.
Three Life Memberships to the South Burnett Rugby League were bestowed during the night:
The late Terry Conway. Terry was voted in as SBJRL president in 2009 and retired at the end of 2013 due to health issues. He died in September 2021, aged 75. Terry was to be presented with his honour at the 2020 awards, which were cancelled due to COVID. Greg Pomfret accepted the award on Terry’s behalf.
Referee Arch Early. Arch played for Wondai and took up refereeing in his mid-20s. He was known as “Mr Reliable”, refereeing games all over the Burnett. Fellow referee Scott Kapernick presented the award to Arch.
South Burnett Team of the Century player and Wondai Wolves life member Allan Trunks. Allan began playing rugby league at age 11 for Wooroolin State School. He played for Wondai, Toowoomba All Whites, Lower South Burnett, Wide Bay, Qld Country and Gladstone; captained Wondai to premiership victories in 1976-78, coached Wondai, Murgon and Kingaroy teams and continues to coach South Burnett Eagles junior players.
2021 South Burnett representative awards:
Senior Male Eagle of the Year – Cody Gale
Junior Male Eagle of the Year – Tyrell Hopkins
Senior Female Eagle of the Year – Traevonnah Fisher
Junior Female Eagle of the Year – Lacey Lee
2021 South Burnett A Grade Competition:
Senior Try Scorer – Patrick McCallum (Nanango Stags)
Senior Player of the Year – Daron Saltner-Bligh (Murgon Mustangs)
2021 Club Champions – Murgon Mustangs
Scott Kapernick presented an SBRL Life Membership to long-serving referee Arch Early
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Former South Burnett Rugby League president Dave Tierney, who compered the evening, with hard-working SBRL volunteers Brenna and Sheree PrendergastDuran Murray-Smith and Traevonnah Fisher shared the Welcome To Country dutiesSouth Burnett Rugby League president Greg Pomfret with Cr Kathy Duff and a pink football (naturally)Beyond The Nest sponsor Ken Mills with SBRL rep co-ordinators Scott Prendergast and Carl Braithwaite
Referees Arch Early and Scott Kapernick were part of the large rugby league family in attendance
Mayor Brett Otto shared memories about the formation of the South Burnett junior rugby league competition
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Award Presentations
2019 Awards
As there was no award ceremony in 2020, representative medallions for 2019 carnivals were also presented.
Under 35kg Zone 5 Carnival at Cunnamulla … South Burnett won the Athletics competitionUnder 43kg Zone 5 Carnival at Clifton … South Burnett were part of a three-way tie for second place
2021 Awards
Under 35kg Zone 5 Carnival at RomaUnder 35kg Zone 5 Carnival trophy winners: Hudson Murphy (Best Back) and Blake Cullen (Best Forward) with coach Nathan Prain. Missing: Beau Laherty (Most Improved)Under 43kg Zone 5 carnival at Wandoan2021 was a spectacular year for the South Burnett Eagles U13s; they won the Shane Walker Shield in Toowoomba and defeated Bundaberg at the 47th Battalion carnival at MaryboroughU13s trophy winners: Lawson Braithwaite (Best Back), Ryan Wallace (Best Forward), Zach Harris (Best & Fairest) with coach Carl Braithwaite. Missing: Harrison Ballin (Most Improved)South Burnett Eagles U13s, U15s and U17s girls played in the Toowoomba JRL competition … U13s played with Pittsworth and won the Grand Final; U15s and U17s played with Dalby; U17 girls and U19 girls also played at Wide BayCr Kathy Duff presented the Senior Female Eagle of the Year Award to Traevonnah Fisher, left, and the Junior Female Eagle of the Year to Lacey Lee, right; Lacey was also named the Qld Outback team’s Players’ Player at the U16s Cultural Exchange carnival at CoolumSouth Burnett Eagles U14s played in a carnival in Charleville, in a local competition and at 47th BattalionCoaches Nathan Prain and Carl Braithwaite with U14s trophy winners Dustin Ramke (Best Forward) and Harrison Braithwaite (Best & Fairest) Missing: Darryl Gyemore (Best Back) and Trent Aubrey (Most Improved)South Burnett Eagles U15s competed in the TJRL and made the finals in their maiden year in the competitionU15s players voted for their trophy awards: Ben O’Shannessy (Most Improved), Matt Kunde (Most Consistent), Charlie Sippel (Players’ Player) and Billy Makie (Best & Fairest). Missing: James Jacobs (Best Back) and Tyrell Leedie (Best Forward),South Burnett Eagles U16s came third in the TJRL competition … Jayden Tewes-Smallwood kicked an amazing 54 goals for the yearU16s trophy winners … Bodie Woods (Rookie of the Year), Jayden Tewes-Smallwood (Best Back), Tyrell Hopkins (Best Forward), Ollie Funnell (Most Improved), Joe Meikle (Players’ Player) and Chill Pidgeon (Player of the Year)South Burnett Eagles U18s finished sixth in the TJRL competitionU18s trophy winners … Joshua Peterson (Best Forward), Damon Strauf (Most Improved Forward), Killian Klease (Most Improved Back) and Lennox Bligh (Best & Fairest). Missing: Lloyd Langton (Best Back) and Selwyn Dynevor (Most Consistent). Lennox Bligh was also the top try scorer in the TJRL competition with 20 triesSouth Burnett rep players for Wide Bay Bulls in the Cyril Connell Challenge and Mal Meninga Cup
Karl Berlin … 47th Battalion Wide Bay Rangers trophy winner (Most Improved)
Nick Webb … Under 14s Player Of Grand Final (Murgon Mustangs)
More 47th Battalion awards: Fono Lemalu (Best Forward), Paddy Alberts (Most Resilient), Kaia Williams (Player Of The Carnival)
Charles “Chaz” Williams Memorial Shield: Keith Gadd Jnr
A Grade Player of Grand Final: Tyreese Gyemore
SBRL sponsor Ken Mills, centre, presented the Referees’ awards … Damon Strauf (Encouragement Award), Brenna Prendergast (Most Improved), Harrison Braithwaite (Best & Fairest) and Rob Zelinksi (Senior Referee)Beyond The Nest pioneer Blake Mara, left, and local league legend Allan Trunks with the Allan Trunks BTN South Burnett Values and True Spirit Award winner Fletch Prendergast and the Blake Mara Staff Appreciation Award winner Matt Jones
Allan Trunks presented the SBRL Volunteer of the Year Award to Nathan Dean
Allan presented the SBRL Club Delegate of the Year Award to Brenna Prendergast
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Chris Munro provided live music on stage before the awards and during breaksA large crowd of family and friends watched the presentations on the Wondai Sportsground before enjoying a barbecue dinner
