Shepparton’s triumphant return to the athletics scene was rubber stamped at last month’s Victorian Runners and Trainers Association awards ceremony.
The Shepparton Gift edged out three long-standing Victorian events to claim Meeting of the Year at the VRTA’s night of nights on May 27 — putting the Goulburn Valley firmly back on the athletics map.
The Shepparton Gift, named after illustrious Indigenous athlete and Yorta Yorta man George Nelson, was rebooted earlier this year following a two-decade long hiatus.
A small band of driven organisers drummed up the idea of returning the Shepparton Gift to its former glory and their hard work paid off at the awards night.
Shepparton edged out fellow nominees Essendon Gift, Castlemaine Gift and the Beachside Gift for the top gong.
David McKenzie, who led the fundraising committee, spoke on behalf of the organisers of the event who he said deserved the recognition for delivering a memorable event.
“I know everyone is absolutely rapt,” he said.
“They went up against gifts and events that have been running for decades and they were able to deliver a first-class event after bringing it back after 20 years, so for them to get recognition was brilliant.
“Gerry and Kate Adams, Geoff Cobbledick, Doug Tuhan, what they all achieved was incredible and they showed Shepparton can pull off and deliver a fantastic athletics event.
“The George Nelson story and honouring him was a fantastic initiative.
“To have George’s daughter Robynne and son George Nelson Jr there ... Robynne delivered a moving Welcome to Country and it was just really special.
“It has put Shepparton back on the athletics map.”
Although sweltering heat almost caused the event to be called off on the day, McKenzie noted the Shepparton Gift had tremendous buy-in from Greater Shepparton City Council and sponsors to help celebrate the event.
“The enthusiasm from local sponsors was remarkable and council did an amazing job with the surface, feedback from the athletes was that the surface was the best they had competed on all season,” he said.
“Hopefully now we can build on it and we want to get the whole town to really embrace it.”