It's with great sadness that Basketball Victoria extends our condolences to the family and friends of icon Avis Scullin, who has sadly passed away on 27th August, 2024
Scullin’s career is a story of passion, resilience and undeniable love for her community. Scullin was an inspiring woman who achieved feats in the sport many would dream of.
She leaves behind a legacy, having started her career as a referee in 1974, contributing in numerous ‘Australian Games’, becoming commissioner of the ‘South East Australian Basketball League’ and more notably for her work as president of the Diamond Valley Basketball Association for over a decade.
Scullin was also integral to the inception of a ‘National score table committee’ which she successfully implemented in 1990, playing a pivotal role at the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic games in Sydney, leading the technical officials.
With over 50 years of experience in Basketball, Scullin’s work was celebrated, achieving an induction to the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2007. Scullin was once again recognised for her work, being awarded the ‘Order of Australia Medal’ in 2018. These accomplishments are monumental and highlights the impact Scullin had on the sport of Basketball.
Scullin leaves behind six children as she lays to rest but will also be leaving a greater basketball community that she worked endlessly to build. As many mourn the death of an icon in our sport, it is equally important to celebrate the good Scullin left us with.
With the greater community losing an icon of our sport, it’s important that we hear Scullin’s beautiful story for years to come.
A lovely documentary piece from Inner Circle Entertainment ‘The Third Team: The Avis Scullin Story’ is worth taking a moment to watch, as we remember all that Avis has contributed to basketball in Australia.
Credit: Inner Circle Entertainment, October 2019
