2003 Bass Coast Young Citizen Of The YearA member of the 2002 World Champion gold medal winning Australian Underwater Hockey Team wins the 2003 Bass Coast Young Citizen of the Year Award By Carol McCormack - 3rd February 2003 - Back to News  A member of the 2002 World Champion gold medal winning Australian Underwater Hockey Team was today announced as the winner of the 2003 Bass Coast Young Citizen of the Year. Rees Quilford from Wonthaggi received the award at Australia Day celebrations in the Wonthaggi today.
"Rees was nominated for his achievements in education and sport, as well as his contribution to the community," said Cr John Gains, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council. "Council is delighted to Rees the 2003 Bass Coast Young Citizen of the Year Award."
Rees’ sporting achievements are many. Most recently he competed at the 2002 Underwater Hockey Championships in Canada. The Australian Team played against 16 other nations and finished the tournament undefeated, bringing home the gold medal.
Rees started his underwater hockey career at the Wonthaggi Aquatic Centre where he played in the local competition. Between 1993 and 2002 Rees was a member of the Victorian Underwater Hockey Team, and has captained the under 18 and open men’s team. Rees was also a member of the Australian Junior Trans Tasman and Southern Hemisphere teams, where he was vice captain and later captain.
For the past four years Rees has been the assistant coach for the Victorian Junior Underwater Hockey Team. He also helps with coaching local teams whenever possible.
It seems that Rees’ sporting prowess is not just confined to the pool. The Wonthaggi Blues Football Club benefited from Rees sporting talents in the U16 and U18 teams. Rees’ leadership ability was recognised and he was appointed as captain. In his senior football career Rees played for the Kilcunda Bass Football Club.
Rees has been a member of the Wonthaggi Royal Life Saving Club since his early teens. He has served the community by patrolling the Cape Paterson Bay Beach. As a member of the Club, he participated in beach carnivals and helped with fundraising.
Rees attended Wonthaggi North Primary School and Wonthaggi Secondary College. In 2001 he completed an arts degree with double majors in history and visual culture at Monash University. This year he returns to Monash to study for an Arts Honours degree, again with a double major. The Rotary Club of Wonthaggi nominated Rees for the award. In their submission, the Club said that Rees deserved the award because he has always been prepared to put time and effort back into his chosen interests and appreciated the opportunities that he has been offered. He has encouraged and inspired others to also aspire to this high level of sport participation.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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