Every year in October the GCV celebrates the past seasons achievements with a dinner and awards presentation night. These awards have a great historic significance for the club - take some time next time you're in Benalla to view the name and dates on some of these trophies, you'll be surprised at the history of the club.
At the dinner this year John Gwyther gave a presentation on behalf of the Committee on the "Future of the Gliding Club of Victoria". The presentation covered the purpose and methods of the planning process the Committee is using and some of the outcomes to date. A further meeting on Sunday morning lead to some 'nitty gritty' discussion on a number of elements of the plan. For anyone who wants to be involved or wants to be heard about the future of the club get in touch with any Committee member or specifically John Gwyther jgwyther@bigpond.net.au
And speaking of John Gwyther, he was recognised at the awards night for winning the Dadswells Bridge Height Gain Trophy (actually awarded two weeks previously at 'Olds Dadswells Town') for the greatest height gained over the four Dadswells trips.
The flying awards (except the Dick Wheller trophy) are determined by the Instructor Panel. And the winners of the club trophies this year are ... drum roll please ...
Leigh Simpson
Awarded for: Most outstanding trainee
Leigh was a WW1 pilot who came into gliding in the late 1950's. He was the uncle of Bill and Arch Simpson who have both been active members of the Club over the years. The trophy was first awarded in 1962 and is made from the tip of a WW1 propeller blade. It is awarded to the most outstanding trainee pilot considering ability, attendance and attitude.
Awarded to: Jonathan McAliece and Megan Quinn. Joint Award
For: Rapid advancement of skills and active participation in Club activities
Lin Beck
Awarded for: Best two seater flight
Lin was Club secretary in the elate 1940's and also in the 1960's. He was very involved in establishing the Club at Benalla as well as being editor of Airflow. The award was first presented in 1968 and is for the most meritorious flight by a club member(s) in a two seater, club or private
Awarded to: Michael Sommer and Peter Gray
883.57 km flight; BLA-Mt Beauty-NW Hay-Jamieson-BLA. Longest flight, by far.
Carr Withall
Awarded for: Most meritorious flight
Carr Withall was a Club Secretary in the late 1930's and was killed in the Battle of Britain in WW11. The trophy was donated by his family. It was first awarded in 1948. Initially the award was decided by a complicated formula, however this was later changed so as to be awarded to the most meritorious flight by a club member flying either a club or privately owned glider
Awarded to: Michael Sommer
952.30 km O/R flight from Benalla. Longest flight of season, long distance mountain flying and exploration of convergence of land and sea air masses.
Ken Skinner
Awarded for: Highest seeded pilot
The trophy was first awarded in 1976. It was donated by his family after Ken passed away from illness. Over the years its initial award criteria have been changed and is now awarded to the Club member who is placed highest on either state or national seeding lists
Awarded to: Adam I'Anson
8th seeded Australian Junior pilot.
Stephen Wicks
Awarded for: Best novice cross country pilot
The trophy was presented by his family in 1976 after Stephen died from illness having only just started gliding. The trophy is awarded to the best solo cross country flight by a pilot in her/her first year of flying
Awarded to: Jeremy Miller
Standard Cirrus. Most active in the 1st year of Cross Country flying
Smith Sports Class Trophy
Awarded for: Best sports class pilot
This trophy was first awarded in 1984 by Mr Smith who at the time was the Victoria/Tasmania Director of the DCA (Department of Civil Aviation). It is awarded to the highest placed pilot flying cross country in a sports class glider.
Awarded to: Richard Robinson
Rapid progress in Cross Country capability, including 300 km flight. Libelle
Ed McKeogh
Awarded for: Highest Aggregate Competition Score
This trophy was donated by Pat McKeough in memory of her husband Ed. Ed was a most competent pilot mentor and manager of the club for most of the 1970's and 80's and passed away in 1988. The trophy was originally awarded for the highest aggregate score in the now defunct Rose Week Competition and is awarded during the seasonal race.
Graham was in Queensland attending the National Club Class comp so he can lay claim to the award next year!!!
Awarded to: Graham Garlick
Highest placed in 2007 Club Class Nationals; 8th place. ASW20.
Dick Wheller
Awarded for: Service to GCV
This trophy was first awarded and presented by his family in 1982 after Dick's sudden death. Dick was a very active and vibrant Club member who served at various times as Vice president, committee members, instructor and duty pilot. He was a successful business man who had been awarded the Order of Australia for community involvement. The trophy is awarded annually to a person for activities in an area of the Club excluding actual flying.
John, true to form, had a commitment to his daughter in Melboune and could not attend the dinner.
Awarded to: John King
John has spend many an hour in the club workshop keeping our fleet going and performing a number of refurbishment making our fleet look better. John is also a current and active instructor with many students reporting 'best experience' when flying with John. John is a real asset to the club.
In Appreciation
Each year we also like to recognise a number of individuals for 'special performance' during the season. This year the winners are:
- Phil Henderson - Purchase of 'his' motor glider for the betterment of the club.
- Ron Grant - Weekend meals, keeping us a close and sociable club. (Hugs are good too!)
- Laurie McKinlay - Best sculpture yet!
- Ross Carroll - Organising Dadswells Bridge away camps.
- John Millott - For his Chairman of Instructor Panel/CFI performance over the last 4 years.
- Graham Garlick - Cross-country coaching services and assistance in National coaching week.
