The Central Highlands Rugby League celebrated another successful season after coming together for its annual awards dinner recently.
Following a number of dominant seasons in the region, Bluff's Chris Conway was awarded the prestigious Jim Gallagher Medal after topping the player of the year tally with 17 votes.
Not only did the livewire back-rower receive the most prestigious medal in Central Highlands football, but he was also announced as the Men's Representative Player of the Year after a barnstorming season which included being named the player of the 47th Battalion carnival.
Dysart's Clayton Kilpatrick and Rabbitohs five-eighth Peter McLaughlin couldn't be split for the Central Highlands Referees' Best and Fairest, both claiming honours as voted by the match officials.
In the Women's competition, Emerald Brothers Cowgirls' Deb Barchard became the second woman to win consecutive Rhiannon Rowe Medals after Elle Stitt's double in 2014 and 2015.
The powerhouse forward polled 16 votes ahead of Tamyra Hunter (14) and Tasma Vesey (11).
The night also saw the bestowment of life membership to the 'Emerald Express', Alan McIndoe, who has been an active coach, administrator and volunteer in the region since his playing journey ended with the Illawarra Steelers in 1993.
QRL Central Highlands Operations Manager Cameron Stallard said it was great to recognise the people who make rugby league in the Central Highlands successful.
"Not only is the awards dinner about announcing and congratulating our players who have achieved greatness on the field, but also about celebrating this year's season and thanking the players and most importantly the club and league officials," Stallard said.
"I would particularly like to thank Central Highlands Rugby League executives Greg Coase, Chrissy Walters and Tracy McIndoe for their dedication and significant contribution to the game this season.
"I congratulate all of the award recipients, particularly Chris and Deb who have had outstanding seasons and I would also like to congratulate and thank the Central Highlands community for coming out and supporting our players and clubs.
"I hope you have enjoyed the greatest game of all this season."
Central Highlands award winners 2019
| Award | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Jim Gallagher Medal | Chris Conway - Bluff Rabbitohs |
| Rhiannon Rowe Medal | Deb Barchard - Emerald Brothers Cowgirls |
| Men's Rookie of the Year | Lachlan Ferry - Springsure Mountain Men |
| Women's Rookie of the Year | Cass Marks - Emerald Brothers Cowgirls |
| Men's Top Try Scorer | Jesse Johnson - Dysart Bulls |
| Men's Top Point Scorer | Peter McLaughlin - Bluff Rabbitohs |
| Women's Top Try Scorer | Deb Barchard - Emerald Brothers Cowgirls |
| Women's Top Point Scorer | Kailah Rogers - Emerald Brothers Cowgirls |
| Men's Representative Player of the Year | Chris Conway - Bluff Rabbitohs |
| Most Valuable Men's Representative Player | Logan Sullivan - Dysart Bulls |
| Most Promising Men's Representative Player | Jesse Johnson - Dysart Bulls |
| Women's Representative Player of the Year | Elle Stitt- Dysart Bulls |
| Most Valuable Women's Representative Player | Tegan Rolfe - Dysart Bulls |
| Most Promising Women's Representative Player | Tasma Vesey - Blackwater Crushettes |
| Under 20 Representative Player of the Year | Tom Colwell - Emerald Tigers |
| Most Valuable Under 20 Representative Player | Dan McNamara - Dysart Bulls |
| Most Promising Under 20 Representative Player | Sam Barsby - Emerald Brothers |
| Under 18 Representative Player of the Year | Callum Anderson - Dysart Bulls |
| Most Valuable Under 18 Representative Player | Brayden Ross - Emerald Brothers |
| Most Promising Under 18 Representative Player | Nick Walters - Emerald Tigers |
| Referee of the Year | Jasmine Walters |
| Most Improved Referee of the Year | Jack Pidgeon |
| Referees' Player of the Year | Clayton Kilpatrick and Peter McLaughlin |
| Volunteer of the Year | Alan McIndoe |
