Hat-trick for open water swim star
Date: Thursday, 3rd June 2010
World class endurance swimmer Penny Palfrey has been named Townsville City Council’s Senior Sportsperson of the Year for a third year in a row.
Palfrey, a mother of three, was named as the winner by Townsville Mayor Cr Les Tyrell and awards guests, Olympic gold medallists Libby Trickett and Nova Peris-Kneebone, at the Civic Theatre earlier tonight.
Palfrey claimed this year’s title after a string of international firsts, including open water crossings of the Alenuihaha and Au’au Channels in Hawaii and a 65km swim from Santa Barbara Island to the Californian mainland.
She also placed second out of 25 invited swimmers in the 45.8km Manhattan Island Swim. Her year was capped off with an induction into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.
A highlight of the night was announcement of a new award to recognise the hard work and determination of retired North Queensland athletes. Inaugural inductees of the NQ Green and Gold Legends of Sport Hall of Fame were named as swim coach and motivator Laurie Lawrence and Lawrence’s former charge, 1984 Olympic 200m butterfly gold medallist and Townsville resident Jon Sieben.
Cr Tyrell paid tribute to all award recipients as an outstanding sportspeople and ambassadors for Townsville.
“These awards are essential in spotlighting the achievements of amateur Townsville athletes, coaches, officials and teams,” Cr Tyrell said.
“It also pays hommage to those that work tirelessly behind the scenes to get these athletes to the top of their field.
“Penny Palfrey is tremendous role model and a worthy winner of the city’s top sporting honour. She has shown enormous determination and extraordinary perseverance to achieve all of this success and at the same time, find a balance with work, home and family life.”
Other awards went to field archer Dylan Collard (14), who was named Junior Sportsperson of the Year and Equestrian Evelyn Torrissi, who picked up the gong for Volunteer Sportsperson of the Year. Dorelle Fox was named Veteran Sportsperson of the Year for field archery while the award for Sports Team of the Year went to the Willows State School Australian Rugby League Team.
The night also recognises the invaluable contribution of volunteers as well as Townsville teams that have achieved the highest level.
A total of 260 nominations were received for the awards.