Even though Warwick's Robyn Fraser has never played the sport of polocrosse, she has volunteered thousands of hours towards running events over the past 54 years.
Mrs Fraser's tireless efforts were recognised at the Queensland Sports Awards last Saturday evening, when she was named the 2019 Queensland Sport volunteer of the year.
Along with her husband Les, she has tirelessly been the driving force behind the scenes of all polocrosse events, large and small, at Morgan Park.
The husband and wife team have also proved a double act when it comes to this particular award.
Mr Fraser was named the volunteer of the year in 2003 after successfully organising the inaugural Polocrosse World Cup, and this year he was also recognised for his service to sport.
The couple managed the planning and delivery of the Adina Polocrosse World Cup over two years, with support from the World Cup organising committee and members of the Warwick Polocrosse Club.
But it is Mrs Fraser who has spent the hours managing the administrative aspect of Warwick Polocrosse events. She has been the treasurer of the Warwick Polocrosse Club for the past 46 years. For the Adina World Polocrosse event alone, she paid accounts to the value of $1.925 million.
Mrs Fraser said the announcement was a very emotional win and she was very taken back.
"It really was pleasing to see that a regional event such as the Adina Polocrosse World Cup could make a shortlist as a finalist on the centre stage," Mrs Fraser said.
President of the Warwick Chamber of Commerce Julia Keogh said without this event there were Warwick businesses looking to close their doors.
"The Adina Polocrosse World Cup delivered a much needed $5.6 million economic windfall for Warwick and generated more than 44,000 visitor nights in the region," she said.
President of the Queensland Polocrosse Association Christine Franklin said Mrs Fraser's recognition is a wonderful achievement for the sport.
"We are an amateur sport and for the Adina Polocrosse World Cup to be a finalist when we are competing against professional sports is fantastic," Mrs Franklin said.
"For both Les and Robyn it is great recognition."
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
