Sport
12 February, 2026
Sporting excellence in the spotlight
The 40th Wimmera Sports Star of the Year Awards will take place tonight at Horsham Town Hall on Friday, with seven nominees in the running for the main award.
The Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly will present awards to recognise the top athletes across the region, as well as acknowledge the various administrators and volunteers who help strengthen community sport.
Lilly Weir, Georgia Foster, Remi Bailey, Josh Barry, Jac Ivess, Kelly Miller and Iris Sudholz are the seven finalists in contention for the main Sports Star of the Year award for their achievements in 2025.
Weir’s meteoric rise in CrossFit was highlighted when she qualified for the Teenage CrossFit Games in the United States, where she finished 13th out of 30 competitors.
The teenager credited her nomination to hard work and the support of her coaches and communities.
“I am extremely honoured to have been nominated for the Sports Star of the Year and Women in Sport awards, alongside so many talented athletes within the region,” Weir said.
“It is such a privilege for me to be able to get to do what I do every day, especially in a rural area like Horsham, where the access to facilities and opportunities are limited.
“I believe it’s so important for everyone to not only set goals, but also work hard to achieve them, and I am honoured to be recognised as one of those individuals within the region who have done just that.
"It reflects not only hard work, but the support of my coaches and community who have played an immense role in my journey.”
Foster had a breakout year in track and field, winning gold in the 200 metres and 4x100m relay at the Australian Little Athletics Championships as part of Horsham Little Athletics, as well as winning three gold medals in her first international meet at New Zealand.
“There's so many amazing and talented athletes around the Wimmera, and it's such an honour to be recognised as one of them,” Foster said.
“It’s definitely a lot to think about. Last season was just an amazing experience and opportunity, especially with nationals, then getting to go and compete in New Zealand.”
Josh Barry had another great year in lawn bowls, which included winning gold in the men’s triples, as well as a bronze in the men’s doubles at the Bowls Australia Para National Championships.
Having been nominated numerous times for the award, Barry said it would be nice to win the major award for the first time.
“I worked out last week that it’s been over 30 years since I was first nominated, back in 1994 when I was in the state basketball side,” Barry said.
“I’ve won a lot of all-abilities athlete of the year awards, but not the main one, so I’d like to win it at least once.”
Despite an injury-interrupted year, Jac Ivess was nominated following a dominant performance in the youth men’s 77kg category at the Powerlifting Australia Top Gym competition held in Brunswick in December.
As well as winning, Ivess set a World Powerlifting record for the category for his 239kg deadlift.
“It means a lot that what I did was recognised by the wider community, especially the sporting community, to be nominated for the award,” Ivess said.
Also nominated for the major award for the first time, Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club’s Remi Bailey won two bronze medals in the individual vault and the team competition, competing for Victoria at the Australian Gymnastics Championships.
The teenager was thankful to compete on the national level, as well as be recognised at the local level.
“It's definitely a good feeling to be put in the likes of all the other good athletes,” Bailey said.
“Nationals was definitely a great experience, nothing like I've ever done before.
“Coming away with a couple of medals was just a bonus.”
Already one of the Wimmera’s standout performers on the international stage, triathlete Kelly Miller rebounded from injury to win her age category at both the Ironman New Zealand and Ironman Cairns events, before finishing fourth, her best result yet, at the Ironman World Championships.
“It means the world to me to be nominated for my achievements and to be recognised for my determination and resilience,” Miller said.
“I’m grateful for the support and can only hope I can inspire others to dream big.”
Further underlining the incredible performances from Wimmera’s young athletes, Iris Sudholz won the open eventing competition at the Pony Club National Championships on her mare River.
Other awards to be announced include the Unsung Hero of the Year, Spirit of Community Award, Coach of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Valued Volunteer, Team of the Year, and Club of the Year, amongst others.