Darralee Gibson has been named the recipient of the 2024 Vanessa Dempsey Award for her commitment to the engagement and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netball participants and communities.
The award is named after inaugural recipient, proud Ngarrindjeri, Narungga and Jingili woman, and well-known member of the Netball SA community, Vanessa Dempsey.
Darralee has been an Aboriginal Youth Worker in Whyalla for the last ten years where she has played a major role in re-establishing the Whyalla Aboriginal Sports and Recreational Committee.
She has worked tirelessly to seek out funding for sporting events like the South Australian Nunga Netball Carnival with a focus on supporting its junior players.
Thanks to Darralee’s contribution, the Whyalla Aboriginal Sports Committee is now thriving, gaining support from the Shooting Stars, Whyalla City Council, and community volunteers.
She has been recognised for her constant promotion of the inclusion of all Aboriginal youth and their families who come from diverse backgrounds to participate in SA Nunga Junior Netball Carnivals.
In addition to her work commitments, Darralee gives up her time by travelling to each carnival where she organises training, arranges teams and makes sure all players have the right uniforms to participate.
Darralee continues to be a supportive member of her community and is always looking to inspire the next generation of netballers, making her a worthy recipient of the 2024 Vanessa Dempsey Award.
She was celebrated at Netball SA’s Nunga Netball Carnival on Friday, October 11.
Award Criteria:
- Any individual, netball community group, Association or Club is eligible.
- The nominee has made a significant contribution in engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the netball community.
- The nominee supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the sport of netball.
- The nominee has developed opportunities, competitions or programs for inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Applications must provide evidence of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or communities to ensure the initiative meets the needs of the community.
- A nominee may only receive this award once.
