Sport
17 February, 2026
Barry claims top honour at Sports Star Awards
The Wimmera’s top sport performers, coaches and administrators of 2025 were celebrated at the Wimmera Sports Star of the Year Awards on Friday, February 13.
The night, held at Horsham Town Hall and organised and hosted by the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly and the Horsham Sports & Community Club, was highlighted by Josh Barry being named the Wimmera Sports Star of the Year.
The award was a long time coming for the Warracknabeal lawn bowls player, who was first nominated 30 years ago.
The Australian Para Bowls representative took out the top honour after another extraordinary year at the local and national stage, including winning gold and bronze at the Bowls Australia Para Nationals.
In his acceptance speech, Josh highlighted the positive impact of sport on his life and how his talent for bowls has shaped his career.
“It’s been 30 years since I was first nominated, back when I was 14,” Mr Barry said.
“I’ve played five different sports since then, and bowls has been the best; I’ve played for Australia.”
Mr Barry was also thankful for the opportunities given to him through All Abilities sports in the region.
“I want to thank the Wimmera Sports Assembly, all the sponsors, my family, and all the sporting teams I’ve been a part of; the Wimmera Whippets, the Giants, the all-ability sports,” Mr Barry said.
The newly crowned sports star is looking to continue his representative honours in 2026, and also acknowledged his pennant lawn bowls game the following day, where he helped his home club qualify for the grand final.
“I am playing in Warracknabeal tomorrow, and I have a few other events coming up,” he said.
“I might be going to Scotland in April and then the Commonwealth Games trials, where hopefully I make the team.”
WRSA executive officer Tony Caccaviello said the awards night was a great opportunity for the sporting community to come together and celebrate a wide range of contributors to sport in the region.
"The overarching feedback from those in attendance was incredibly positive," Mr Caccaviello said.
"The reason we hold the night is to shine a light on the amazing people, both on and off the field, doing amazing things in sport.
"Sport is such a great way to come together as a community, and the awards allow people to mix and mingle across various sports and increase the connection to where we live.
"Another wrinkle from being the 40th awards was bringing back previous sports star winners and a large contingent of significant contributors since 1983, including our first ever chair, John Taylor."
Early in the evening, former Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly executive officer David Berry, current chairman Jeff Pekin and board member Greg Schultz were all awarded WRSA life membership for their service and leadership to sport in the Wimmera.
Award winners
Stacey Drage was named Valued Volunteer of the Year for her passionate work in creating unique opportunities for sporting participation, namely the Run the Beal fun run, and for her facilitation of Wimmera Roller Derby.
Beginning his sporting career in Nhill and then Horsham, Wayne Schultz won the Grassroots Award for his contribution to playing and coaching sport, demonstrating his leadership across various levels, including at VFL and AFLW competitions.
Georgia Foster and Remi Bailey took out the Youth Sports Star of the Year Award for female and male, respectively. Foster had an incredible season on the track, winning gold medals at the Colgate Games in New Zealand and the Australian Little Athletics Championships. Bailey earned representation at the Australian Gymnastics Championships and took home two bronze medals.
Jac Ivess received the Ian Niblett Scholarship Award following a breakout year in powerlifting, where he set a World Powerlifting youth record with a 239kg deadlift.
Young runner Mason Kennedy was named Indigenous Sports Star of the Year after representing Victoria at the School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships, where he returned with a silver medal in the team event.
Robbie Turmine was the local All Abilities Sports Star of the Year after an outstanding year across multiple sports, which included taking out the KA3 Senior Medium Championship in the Victorian Country Karting Series.
Fellow All Abilities athlete Rachael Werner took out the national award. As well as being named Victoria’s Best and Fairest at the National AFL Open Inclusion Championships, Werner won numerous medals at the Tri-State Games.
Veteran of the Year was awarded to Ray Funcke for his positive impact on the Minyip Bowls Club on and off the green for 47 years.
CrossFit athlete Lilly Weir took out the Women in Sport Award for her contribution to the growth of CrossFit in the Horsham community, demonstrated by her participation at the Teenage CrossFit Games in the United States.
School of the Year: St Brigid’s College
Embodying the true meaning of perseverance, the Grampians Giants Football Netball Club took out the Team of the Year for winning their first game in nine seasons and reaching the All Abilities Football Grand Final.
Serving Pimpinio Football Netball Club in numerous roles for almost 20 years, Erin Muller received the Unsung Hero Award.
For her critical behind-the-scenes work with Horsham Little Athletics Club, Casey Plazzer was named Administrator of the Year.
As well as coaching Lilly Weir to a 13th-place finish at the World Teenage CrossFit Games, the HCF Horsham CrossFit co-owner has helped build the CrossFit community in the region.
Robbie Miller received the Spirit of Community Award after he helped raise over $50,000 for Bears of Hope, an organisation that supports families after the loss of their baby.
After suffering the heartbreak of losing his infant son, Miller raised funds by completing a 24-hour run.
Robbie said he was inspired to help out parents who may experience what his family did.
“It's not a journey that anyone wants to go down, but unfortunately, when you lose a child or an infant for no reason, it puts a little bit of fire in your belly to try and help others who go through something similar, Mr Miller said.
“I was just a small jigsaw piece; the bigger pieces were those who donated to the fundraiser, including the Laharum community.”
Minyip Murtoa Football Netball Club was named Club of the Year following a landmark season in which it won the AFL Community Club of the Year award and the inaugural WFNL women’s senior football premiership.