Waverley Little Athletics Centre Inc.

Family, Fun and Fitness since 12 November 1968
Victoria's Premier Grass Track

Congratulations Nicole Lopes - LAVic Life Governor

News - 2020/2021


Dear Waverley LAC and SMR Communities,

It gives me great pleasure as the President of Waverley and President of SMR, to inform you that my good friend and mentor Nicole Lopes, WLAC Life Member and SMR Competition Secretary, was awarded Life Governor of Little Athletics Victoria at the Association’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

Life Governor is the highest honour bestowed by LAVic and is only awarded to those who provide many years of selfless and exemplary service to Little Athletics in Victoria.

Congratulations Nicole for receiving an award that truly highlights your wonderful dedication and service to our Association. It was an honour to nominate you and we thank you for your ongoing commitment to Little Athletics. There isn’t a more worthy recipient for the honour of Life Governor.

Summary of Involvement
Nicole Lopes has been involved in Little Athletics for 21 years, starting at the Waverley Centre in 2000/01 as an Age Group Assistant. She served at the Centre for a total of 13 years, volunteering as a Key Official for 8 years while her children were members of the Centre and for a further 5 years as a Key Official at Waverley Open Day. Nicole played a vital role behind the scenes when her husband Steven was Centre President from 2003/05.

In 2008/09, Nicole was awarded Life Membership at Waverley LAC for her outstanding services to the Centre.

Nicole has been involved at SMR (Southern Metro Region) for 16 years volunteering as a Key Official and she has served on the Committee for 7 years, as Webmaster and Competition Secretary.
Nicole has been involved at LAVic/State level for 14 years, volunteering as a Key Official and a member of various Region Planning Committees.

Over the many years, Nicole has also volunteered at the Australian Little Athletics Championships, EMR Relays, Mentone Relays, Frankston Championships and the Waverley Open Day.

On a Personal Note:
Both Nicole and Steven were my mentors during my time as an athlete and my years volunteering at Waverley and SMR. They often provided me with advice and support and drove me to and from SMR meetings, Region & State Championships and any other Little Athletics events as I did not drive myself. They often picked me up at 5am and dropped me home at 9pm on the days of Championship events, picked me up and drove me to and from the country Championship events and they never thought twice about doing so. I recall one day Nicole picked me up and we went to the LAVic Region Challenge in Geelong, volunteered all day and then drove to the airport to pick up Steven who flew home from an overseas work trip. It’s because of these two wonderful individuals (and several others) that I was able to become involved and am still involved in Little Athletics today. So thank you. 

Some interesting facts worth noting
Nicole is one of nine female WLAC Life Members. She became the first volunteer awarded WLAC Life Membership that hadn’t served on the Centre Committee. Nicole (and Steven) are also one of four couples awarded WLAC Life Membership. 
 
Nicole is one of only two volunteers that I know of that has been presented all three eligible LAVic Service Awards:
  • 2013/14 - Meritorious Service Award
  • 2018/19 - Distinguished Service Award
  • 2020/21 - Life Governor Award
Nicole has also been presented with almost all other eligible LAVic awards:
  • 2013/14 - Volunteer of the Year (bronze)
  • 2014/15 - Volunteer of the Year (silver)
  • 2017/18 - Official of the Year
  • 2017/18 - Victorian Officials Award (SMR)
  • 2018/19 - Vic Sport Volunteer of the Year (finalist)
Nicole’s becomes Waverleys fourth volunteer and first female to be awarded LAVic Life Governor. Her husband Steven is also an LAVic Life Governor, together making them one of several couples awarded the associations highest honour.

In summary, Nicole Lopes is one of the most hard working and dedicated volunteers within Little Athletics Victoria. She thoroughly enjoys being part of the team and getting her job done. Nicole is one of the many quiet achievers, volunteering behind the scenes and unfortunately, most of her work is hardly seen by anyone! She is the reason that results are recorded at the Region and State championships.

You can view Nicole’s full volunteer service history on the WLAC website - it is well worth the read: https://www.waverleylac.com.au/show-profile?PeoplePK=24


Kind Regards,

Dylan Cooper
President and Life Member
Waverley Little Athletics Centre Inc. 

Added: 18/07/2021 13:19:00
Last Updated: 18/07/2021 14:39:30