Life membership of the Association is not awarded lightly. The following people have been recognised by the Association for their contributions to our sport.
Graham Halsall
Graham Halsall
Graham has been a member of the Association since its inception.
He was award Life Membership at the AGM on 4th of July 2010.
He is a 6 time winner of the Victorian Utility championship (4 times with Granan Mac and twice won the Victorian yard championship.
More to follow. Biography being developed.
Nancy Halsall
Nancy Halsall
Nancy, like her husband Graham has been a member of the association since its inception. Nancy was the first Secretary of the association and held that position for many years.
More to follow. Biography being developed.
Charlie Robertson
Charlie was award Life Membership at the AGM on 4th of July 2010.
Biography being developed.
Dave Sweatman
Dave was award Life Membership at the AYDA (Mansfield) on 15th of April 2011.
Biography being developed.
Mick Storan
Mick was award Life Membership at the AGM on 4th of July 2010.
Biography being developed.
Ian OConnell
Ian Joined the Association in 1999. He served the association in a variety of capacities including President (2010 to 2012), Vice President and committee person (2005 to 2012). In addition to his role on the Victorian committee he also served as President of the national body (AYDA) in 2010/11. Ian has promoted the benefits of trialling and membership of the Assn at RIST and other training courses he has conducted for the last 12 years. During his time on the committee was responsible for the design/built of the website developed in 2006/07 with assistance from Kay O’Connell and Evelyn Poulton
As well as being a successful competitor and Convenor, Ian has judged at numerous major events including Championships in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
3 time winner of the Victorian Yard Championship
Rod Cavill
Rod joined the Association in 1991, a few months after its formation. He served on the Committee from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2015 to 2017 as Vice President. He returned to the committee in 2021 in the role of President.
He has served as a Judge since joining the association and has judged numerous major events in both Victoria and interstate (State Championships, Australian Championships and NKFT). He is currently the Chairman of the Judges subcommittee since 2016.
Rod has been a convenor of numerous trials including
- Convened a trial at Skipton in 1993 & 1994.
- Omeo trial since 2007
- Alexandra for 3 years in 1990’s, including State Yard Champs in 1999, before taking time out to support his children with their sports.
- Co-convened the NKFT in 2018 and
- the State Utility Championship in 2017.
- Co-convened Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show trials in 2015, 2016, 2017 [AYDC],2018
- Initiated Field Day Series in 2017
Rod was the winner of the Victorian Utility Championship in 1993.