FABULOUS OFFICIALS CELEBRATED AT PHILLIP ISLAND

A number of volunteer officials were celebrated at last month’s Shannons SpeedSeries in Phillip Island for their contributions to motorsport week-in-week-out.

The eight officials were recognised on the final day during the third round of the national series, with seven being named as Fabulous Officials and one receiving a Motorsport Australia Service Award.

The Fabulous Officials award is an honour that was created in 2011 to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of certain officials to the sport, as well as those who go above and beyond.

Victoria is one of multiple Australian states who recognise officials through the Fabulous Officials program and the Shannons SpeedSeries presentation was the first of the year.

Taking out the awards were four representatives from the Victorian Flag Marshalling Team, two scrutineers and one Phillip Island Auto Racing Club representative.

Victorian State Officiating Panel Chair Mark D Thompson congratulated the seven who received the awards.

“We like to honour volunteer officials at least two or three times a year through this initiative and I am very proud to see so many people going above and beyond at every event.” Thompson said.

“In fact, we had quite a few more people that we could have recognised during this batch of awards, but obviously had to keep it down.

'With that said, congratulations to all seven officials who were named as the Fabulous Officials, all of whom were highly deserving.

“I encourage all officials to be on the lookout for someone who they believe is worthy of this award and to nominate them as officials are integral to this sport and we want them to receive recognition.”

In addition to the Fabulous Officials, the presentation also gave a chance for Service Award recipient Russell Stork to receive his award after he missed the 2022 Motorsport Australia Victorian State Awards earlier this year.

A Chief Fire Marshal and Assistant Chief Fire Marshal for the Victorian Fire and Rescue Squad, Russell has been a regular official at national and international events every year. His approachable, reliable and conscientious demeanour makes him a highly popular figure amongst volunteer officials.

Nominations for the Fabulous Officials Award can be sent to mark.thompson@vicflag.org.au

Fabulous Officials Recipients

Ninad Kavi - VFT

Geoff Kay - VFT

Troy Hungerford - Scrutineers

Jennifer Campbell - PIARC

Michelle Clewett - VFT

Jeff Birrell - Scrutineers

Justin Parrant - VFT