women of the nest
What a special event at the Nest on Saturday 24 May 2025, as we came together to celebrate the incredible women and girls who help make our club so strong - both on and off the court and field.
A huge congratulations to our 2025 award winners:
🏅 Julie Gove Medal - Club Woman of the Nest
Sam Bennett
This award recognises a woman who has made a significant contribution to the WHFNC in a voluntary capacity over more than 2 years and who supports and encourages other girls and women to get involved in the club.
Sam has been the club’s bookkeeper for the past three years, handling behind-the-scenes financial tasks that are often overlooked but essential. For the last two years, she has also coordinated the CLUB 50 fundraising program, managing its logistics and sustainability. In addition, Sam manages invoices, grants, and financial reporting with dedication and efficiency. She has served as treasurer and committee member for the junior club, team manager for multiple junior teams, and Auskick coordinator for two years. Her quiet but vital contributions have significantly supported the club’s success.
Sam, we thank you for all that you have done for the club. We can think of no more worthy winner than you of the 2025 Club Woman of the Nest Award.
🏅 Kellie Duff Medal - Junior Netballer of the Year
Evie Dowling
This award is presented to a junior netball player who has been a member of the WJFNC for at least 12 months, who shows respect to all, positively supports teammates, is willing to learn and grow and shows strong commitment and effort at training and games. The player is also seen as someone who will continue their playing career at the senior club.
Evie is a positive, respectful, and enthusiastic member of the club, actively supporting players, parents, officials, and umpires. She is consistently involved in training, events, and volunteers in the canteen. At the WJFNC pre-season Amazing Race, she encouraged and led younger players, bringing energy and fun to the event. As a leader of NetSetGo at WDNC, she showed kindness, patience, and strong organizational skills. Her passion for netball and commitment to the community embody the club’s core values, making her a standout role model and deserving award candidate.
Congratulations Evie, we look forward to having you at the senior club in coming years.
🏅 WHFNC Milestone Award - 100 Games
Sarah Duff
A home-grown star who’s now notched up 107 senior netball games! An A Grade champion, club person through and through, and one of the most selfless, team-first players around. Congratulations, Sarah!
🏅 Inaugural Spirit of Equality Medal
Joel Dwyer
Awarded to a man who demonstrates the following:
promotes gender equality within the club with a focus on increasing participation of women and girls
creates a safe environment, not only for women and girls but also for other men who support gender equality
role models respectful behaviour towards women and girls and inspires other men and boys within the club to replicate positive behaviours
actively supports all women and girls to achieve their best whether as a player, coach or volunteer.
Every week, Joel shows up - not just for his daughter, but for the whole club. He lives and breathes what our club stands for: pride, support, and community.
From pep talks to good luck cards and turning up rain, hail, or shine, Joel is our ultimate netball dad and loudest cheerleader. He’s there early, setting up courts with a squeegee or broom in hand, and celebrating every win, milestone, and birthday.
He encourages others to get involved, helps people feel they belong, and this year, even joined the general committee. Joel is a true champion of women and girls, always promoting respect, inclusion, and the value of every player.
A legend in every sense - thank you, Joel.
Thank you to everyone who attended, nominated, and helped bring this event to life. These awards are just one way we honour the values of respect, inclusion, and community that define the Hawks.
We would also like to give a massive THANK YOU to the following businesses who supported our Women of the Nest event. It is local support like this that reminds us how lucky we are to be in this community:
Oak & Stone Cafe, Nellie’s Shed, Elements Design & Build, Woodend General, Kerrie Gaskin Jewellery Consultant, Skin Etc, Think Alike Store, Little General Kids, Mort & Pestle, Woodend Pharmacy, Brash Biscuits, Pro Stage.
And a special thank you to guest speaker jo.reynolds.coaching for your amazing words, Sophie Cleary for being the best MC and Dixon Music for the event entertainment.
