THE Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club transformed into a dazzling venue on Saturday night as the inaugural Redlands Coast Sporting Hall of Fame and Sports Awards made its long-awaited debut.
The black-tie event brought together over 200 guests, including athletes, coaches, volunteers and community leaders, in a celebration of Redlands’ rich sporting heritage and outstanding talent.
Guests were treated to an evening of elegance, with a three-course meal, pre-dinner drinks, and the captivating presence of keynote speaker Stephen Bradbury, Australia’s first Winter Olympics gold medallist.
Bradbury’s inspiring anecdotes of persistence and achievement set the tone for the evening, as attendees reflected on the dedication and hard work that underpin sporting success.
The Hall of Fame inductions were the highlight of the evening, with Olympians Ashleigh Callus and Alicia Coutts taking their place as the first inductees.
Both were recognised for their exceptional contributions to Redlands Swimming and their remarkable careers on the international stage.
The Sports Awards then took the spotlight, celebrating outstanding achievements across eight categories: Administrator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Official of the Year, Organisation of the Year, Coach of the Year, Emerging Athlete of the Year, as well as Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.
Point Lookout SLSC was a standout of the evening, earning the title of Organisation of the Year while also celebrating Calan Lovitt as Sportsman of the Year and Elisa Morris as Volunteer of the Year.
Hudson Brown of Redland City Gymsports was celebrated as Emerging Athlete of the Year, highlighting the promising future of Redlands’ sporting community.
Attendees applauded not only the award winners but also the broader efforts of the Redlands sporting community, including coaches, volunteers, and local businesses who continue to support the region’s athletes.
As the evening concluded, the overwhelming success of the event cemented its place as a new cornerstone in Redlands’ sporting calendar.
Plans are underway to ensure next year’s event continues the legacy of celebrating and preserving the region’s sporting achievements.
Redlands Coast Sporting Hall of Fame and Sports Awards Winners:
- Hall of Fame: Ashleigh Callus and Alicia Coutts – Redlands Swimming
- Administrator of the Year: Kylie Preo – Redlands Rugby League
- Volunteer of the Year: Elisa Morris – Point Lookout SLSC
- Official of the Year: Matt Lavery – Redlands Touch
- Organisation of the Year: Point Lookout SLSC
- Coach of the Year: Phil Carse – Redlands-Victoria Point Sharks AFL
- Emerging Athlete of the Year: Hudson Brown – Redland City Gymsports
- Sportswoman of the Year: Kimberley Sue-See – Redlands Touch
- Sportsman of the Year: Calan Lovitt – Point Lookout SLSC
