Basketball Victoria Recognises Long-Serving Contributors During National Volunteer Week

19th May 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge

As part of National Volunteer Week 2026, celebrated from 18–24 May across Australia, Basketball Victoria is proud to recognise individuals whose extraordinary long-term contribution has helped shape basketball communities across Victoria for generations.  

The 2026 Basketball Victoria Service Award acknowledgements celebrate volunteers and community members who have dedicated decades of service to the game, leaving a lasting impact through leadership, mentorship, development and an unwavering commitment to their clubs, associations and local communities.

Within basketball, volunteers continue to play a vital role in creating welcoming, inclusive and connected communities where people of all ages can participate, grow and belong.

The Service Awards acknowledge the incredible commitment, passion and contribution of volunteers and community members who have helped shape and strengthen basketball across Victoria over an extended period of time.

Recognised through a nomination process submitted by associations and clubs, the awards honour individuals across the following milestones:

• 15 Years Continuous Service
• 25 Years Continuous Service
• 35 Years Continuous Service
• 50 Years Continuous Service
• 60 Years Continuous Service

The acknowledgements recognise individuals who have made a lasting impact within their clubs, associations and communities through years of selfless contribution and dedication to the game.

From weeknight training sessions and score bench duties to governance, administration, mentoring and game day operations, recipients have played an important role in ensuring basketball continues to thrive in communities across metropolitan and regional Victoria alike.

Their contribution extends far beyond the court, helping create environments where young people can build confidence, friendships and life skills, while strengthening the sense of connection and belonging that community sport provides.

Basketball Victoria General Manager Member and Community Services, David Huxtable, said National Volunteer Week was an important opportunity to recognise the people whose long-term dedication continues to shape the sport.

“Community basketball simply would not exist without the passion and commitment of volunteers,” Huxtable said.

“These Service Award acknowledgements recognise individuals who have given so much of their time, energy and care to help grow and support the game over many years.

“Whether it’s coaching junior teams, running competitions, mentoring young officials, serving on committees or helping behind the scenes each week, every contribution plays an important role in strengthening our basketball community.

“The impact these recipients have made extends well beyond basketball. Through their years of service, they have helped create lasting, positive change within their clubs and local communities, while ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from the game.”

Celebrating Our Service Award Recipients

This years' Service Award acknowledgements include a special celebration of five extraordinary volunteers who have reached the remarkable milestone of 60 years continuous service to basketball, an achievement that reflects a lifetime of dedication, leadership and passion for the game.

Across more than six decades, these recipients have helped shape clubs, associations and communities throughout Victoria, leaving a lasting impact on players, coaches, officials and volunteers. Their contribution extends far beyond the court, helping build strong, connected and welcoming basketball communities that continue to thrive today.

Four of the five of this year’s 60-year recipients have dedicated much of their lives to the Bendigo basketball community, playing a significant role in the growth and success of basketball across regional Victoria. From grassroots participation and junior development through to officiating, governance and elite pathways, their influence has helped shape the sport at every level. Read more about these extraordinary recipients below: 

Ashley Donaldson

Since first becoming involved in basketball in 1960, Ashley Donaldson has become one of the most respected and influential figures in Victorian basketball, dedicating more than six decades to developing players, programs and opportunities across regional Victoria. 

Awarded an OAM in 2024 for his service to Basketball and the Bendigo community, Donaldson’s contribution to the sport spans grassroots participation through to high performance pathways.

A Life Member of Basketball Victoria and recipient of the prestigious Jack Terrill medal in 2011, his impact on country basketball has been profound. Beginning as Secretary of the Eaglehawk Basketball Association in 1964, Donaldson quickly became a driving force behind the development of basketball in regional Victoria.

His vision and leadership helped establish programs that continue to shape the sport today, including Basketball Victoria Skills Days and the Regional Academy program, now a key component of the State Development Program pathway.

Donaldson also oversaw the Basketball Victoria Jamboree for 20 years from 1995 to 2015, helping create a fun, inclusive and memorable experience for thousands of young athletes across the state.

Throughout his years in the sport, Donaldson has played an important role in the development of numerous Victorian and Australian representatives including Opals Kristy Harrower, Gabriel Richards, Hanna Zavecz and Deanne Butler, along with Boomers and NBA/NBL stars Matthew Dellavedova and Mitch Creek.

Don & Karla Coulson

For more than 60 years, Don and Karla Coulson have been synonymous with basketball in Bendigo, dedicating their lives to supporting and strengthening the sport across multiple generations.

From their early playing days in the 1960s through to decades or volunteering, coaching, officiating and community leadership, the pair have become pillars of the Bendigo basketball community.

Across six decades Don and Karla have contributed in countless ways, including coaching, refereeing, board service and more recently, court supervision, continuing to give back to the sport they love.

Karla made history as the inaugural coach of the Bendigo Braves Women’s team in 1986, while Don coached numerous Bendigo representative teams across both junior and senior levels, helping guide and mentor many talented athletes, including Australian Boomers guard and NBA star Dyson Daniels during his junior years.

For Karla, volunteering has always been about community connect and helping young people thrive through sport. “I love giving back to the community, being someone that can inspire young people and help them further their own dreams is really important to me,” Karla said.

“From coaching players like Kelly Wilson and Gabe Richards, just watching them grow up and do so well gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

Their extraordinary contribution to basketball has been recognised many times throughout the years, including receiving the Centennial Federation Medal in 2000, and 50 Years of Service recognition in 2013.  Both Karl and Don have also been awarded the prestigious Jack Terrill Medal for their outstanding service to Country Basketball.

Their continued involvement and passion for the game remain an inspiration throughout the Victorian basketball community.

Peter Allan

Peter Allan has been an active and valued member of the Bendigo basketball community since 1963, dedicating more than 60 years to ensuring local basketball continues to grow and thrive.

Throughout his time in the sport, Allan has served in numerous volunteer roles, including coaching, Bendigo Basketball Association Secretary, Bendigo Basketball and Bendigo Stadium Limited board member, and Beavers Basketball Club Secretary. His contribution has also extended well beyond basketball through his ongoing involvement within the broader Bendigo community. Having witnessed the evolution of Red Energy Arena and the growth of basketball across the region over several decades, Allan’s passion for community sport remains as strong as ever.

“I love to see kids get out and play their favourite sports, and making sure we have enough coaches, referees and volunteers to keep everything running well,” Allan said.

“Over the years I’ve been volunteering, the most rewarding thing for me has been seeing more kids playing sport because we have enough volunteers and good people to run all the games.”

A passionate advocate for volunteering, Allan believes community involvement remains a vital part of Australia sport and culture, encouraging more people to get involved and support their local clubs and associations.

Rod Bush

Rod Bush’s contribution to basketball has left a lasting impact across regional Victoria and the broader Victorian officiating community, following more than 60 years of service to the game.

Beginning at grassroots level within the Wangaratta Basketball Association, Bush became widely respected as a volunteer, referee, mentor and leader who dedicated countless hours to supporting young players, officials, and administrators throughout Northeast Victoria.

His passion for regional basketball and commitment to developing others saw him become one of the most influential country voices within Basketball Victoria. Bush served as President of the Basketball Victoria Country Council and later as Chair of the Technical Officials Commission for almost a decade, helping strengthen and professionalise officiating pathways across the state. Widely regarded as an outstanding referee, referee coach, and mentor, Rod played an instrumental role in guiding officials from their earliest games through to state and national opportunities. Many referees across Victoria continue to credit his encouragement, leadership and support as pivotal in their development and careers.

Rod’s extraordinary contribution to the sport has been recognised through multiple Life Memberships, including with Basketball Victoria, reflecting the enormous influence he has had on country basketball and officiating throughout Victoria.

For more information on Basketball Victoria awards and recognition programs or to nominate for the 2027 Service Awards click here  

-Ends-

For all media enquiries:
Maree DeGeorge
Media & Communications Specialist
Basketball Victoria
maree.degeorge@basketballvictoria.com.au
0499 851 266

Full List of all 2026 Service Awards Recipients

15 Years of Service

Recipient	Association / Club
Aaron Burke	Frankston & District BA
Alison Gehrig	McKinnon BA
Ben McCauley	Bendigo BA
Ben White	Southern Peninsula BA
Brent Andrews	Dandenong BA
Bianca Vernon	Southern Peninsula BA
Ilya Fisher	McKinnon BA
Jackie Stephens	Wyndham BA
Joanne Allen	Frankston & District BA
Joel Lay	Geelong United BA
Kerryn Westcott	Mountain Tigers BC
Matt Robertson	Melton BA
Mitch Lay	Geelong United BA
Nicole Burke	Frankston & District BA
Paige Donnelly	Casey BA
Riley Hood	Southern Peninsula BA
Shania Watson	Geelong United BA
Steven Lincoln	Frankston & District BA
Tess Denham	Swan Hill BA

25 Years of Service

Recipient	Association / Club
Ben Gronow	Altona Pirates BC
Cameron McCormack	Dandenong BA
Caroline Searle	Frankston & District BA
Clare Camac	Dandenong BA
Deb Wadwell	Craigieburn BA
Ian Hart	Bendigo BA
Liz Baldwin	Frankston & District BA
Nick Abdicevic	Melbourne Tigers BC
Peter Calella	Southern Peninsula BA
Rhett Pottenger	Dandenong BA
(Stanley) Joe Aghan	Bendigo BA
Stephanie Hawkins	Diamond Valley BA
Warren Heigh	Western Port BA

 35 Years of Service

Recipient	Association / Club
Andrea Walsh	Bendigo BA
Catherine Moller	Bendigo BA
Graeme Moore	Geelong Sharks
Jason Manton	Dandenong BA
Leeann Burton	Bendigo BA
Neil Burdon	Bendigo BA
Paul Moller	Bendigo BA
Tony Long	Greater Shepparton BA
Tony Newsome	Southern Peninsula BA
Sharon Denham	Swan Hill BA

50 Years of Service

Recipient	Association / Club
Alan Barrett	Keilor BA
Ian Leckie	McKinnon BA
Kerryn McClear	Mornington & District BA
Martin Spottiswood	Bendigo BA
Pamela Meddings	Doncaster BA
Norma Brennan	Western Port BA
Shaun Carey	Whittlesea City BA
Terry Davis	Bulleen – Templestowe BC

60 Years of Service

Recipient	Association / Club
Ashley Donaldson	Bendigo BA
Don Coulson	Bendigo BA
Karla Coulson	Bendigo BA
Peter Allan	Bendigo BA
Rod Bush	Geelong United BA