January 26 was supposed to be a normal day for Elsie Boyer, with netball training in the morning and then all the netballers going to Tatura’s Australia Day awards as a group.
It wasn’t until she arrived at Victory Hall and opened the booklet of Australia Day proceedings that a familiar name jumped out at her.
It was her own.
The 18-year-old was named the Tatura Australia Day Sportsperson of the Year.
In what was a complete surprise, she was also named the Greater Shepparton Sportsperson of the Year for her contribution to sport.
Ms Boyer’s main contribution to sport has been her involvement in netball in the town.
She started with Tatura Netball Association at the age of five, and currently plays with the Tatura Football Netball Club in the Goulburn Valley League.
She has been a multiple squad representative in netball, including the Shepparton Netball Association, Netball Victoria Talent Academy, association and state champions, Goulburn Valley interleague level and the Victorian Netball League.
She also umpires and coaches netball, and manages the Tatura Football Netball Club’s social media account and its online platform for uniforms.
As well as her involvement with netball, Ms Boyer has also been a member of the Tatura Lawn Tennis Club, and been a representative with squad basketball and state athletics.
In accepting her awards, Ms Boyer said they came as a complete surprise.
“I was told we were having netball training and then coming to this,” she said.
“I was in a bit of shock when I opened the book. My name was the first thing I saw.
“It’s a real honour to win the (council-wide) award.
“Sometimes coming from a small town you don’t get recognised as much.”
The teenager thanked her family for supporting her, but also paid special tribute to everyone at the Tatura Football Netball Club — many of whom were at the Australia Day ceremony.
“It’s a credit to the support group behind me and the club to be able to play my role at the club,” she said.