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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World Tourism Day 2025 highlights water’s role in southern Victoria, connecting people, culture, recreation, agriculture, and sustainable tourism while supporting communities, ecosystems, and Traditional Owner cultural heritage. - West Gippsland CMA champions healthy waterways, culture, community, and sustainability across the catchment
West Gippsland CMA celebrates World Rivers Day by highlighting river health, cultural significance, and restoration efforts. Caring for 40,000km of waterways, they partner with communities to ensure resilient, thriving rivers. - Berninneit Art Gallery unveils 'Kelp and the Sentient Sea' by Kim McDonald and Jasmine Susic 13 September to 26 October 2025
Berninneit Art Gallery presents Kelp and the Sentient Sea, a collaborative exhibition by Kim McDonald and Jasmine Susic, exploring Bass Coast's marine life through printmaking, dance, film, and installation from 13 September. - Darren Chester urges abandoning flawed legislation restricting medal reviews to actions within 20 years
The Albanese government's proposed legislation limits medal appeals to 20 years, stripping veterans and families of rights. Darren Chester says the changes undermine the Defence Honours Tribunal's independence and disenfranchise ADF members. - Celebrating Omeo volunteer Tracey Ah Sam for long-term service, leadership and dedication to community sport
East Gippsland celebrates Omeo’s Tracey Ah Sam, Citizen of the Year, recognising her decades of volunteer service, community leadership and contribution to local sport and events. - Local builder awarded contract for next stage of WORLD Sporting Precinct soccer redevelopment in Bairnsdale project
East Gippsland Shire Council has awarded Brooker Builders the contract to deliver new soccer facilities at WORLD Sporting Precinct, creating a modern regional home for the sport. - Latrobe City Council and Gippsland partners launch 'No Filter: Real Stories' vaping prevention campaign created by and for young people
Latrobe City Council, with Gippsland councils and GRPHU, launches No Filter: Real Stories, a youth-designed vaping prevention campaign sharing honest, relatable local experiences to reduce harm and empower Gippsland young people. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government veterans medal review limit, undermining Tribunal independence
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned Labor's legislation imposing a 20-year limit on veterans' medal reviews, arguing it undermines the Tribunal's independence and disenfranchises veterans and families seeking fair recognition. - Michelle Garvan of Lakes Entrance honoured with national medals for outstanding dedication and service to community safety
Six Victorian lifesavers have been awarded National Medals, recognising 15-25 years of dedicated volunteer service protecting the community and ensuring public safety in Australian waterways. - Lakes Entrance's Cameron King awarded with national medal for lifesaving service and dedication to community safety
Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club’s Cameron King has been awarded the National Medal for over 15 years of dedicated volunteer service, recognising his commitment to lifesaving and community water safety. - Farmers warn Woolworths' green-and-gold Hillview butter misleads consumers and undercuts Australian dairy
Australian dairy farmers warn Woolworths' green-and-gold Hillview butter misleads consumers, undercuts local producers, and risks jobs, as imported US butter competes with declining domestic dairy production. - Walhalla, Gippsland’s historic gold rush village, offers heritage sites, scenic walks, charming cafes, and unforgettable alpine experiences
Walhalla, Gippsland’s historic gold rush village, enchants with heritage buildings, scenic walks, ghost tours, cherry blossoms, alpine charm, quirky cafes, the Goldfields Railway, Long Tunnel Mine, and nearby natural adventures.
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