Gavin Statham

2010

Umpire 1989 - Present
WAAFL/WAFL/AFL

A monument to the umpiring community, Gavin Statham began his umpiring career in 1989 at the age of 11. For six years he ran the boundary or was the field umpire in the WAAFL, serving his apprenticeship for the highest stage in football, the AFL.

Gavin excelled early in his career at a very young age. He was running the boundary for the A Grade in his second season at the age of 13 and in the following year, was a boundary umpire for the B Grade grand final.

By the time he was 15, Gavin was serving as a field umpire in A Grade colts matches, his talents obvious to many people and in 1994 as he was appointed to umpire the D Grade grand final.

In 1995 the WAFL recognised Gavin’s talents and he was soon umpiring regular colts football, being appointed as grand final umpire for the WAFL Colts in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Gavin’s rapid rise through the ranks of umpiring continued and a year later, in 1999, he was umpiring the WAFL Reserves Grand Final after making his league debut in the same year. It was a deserved reward when after some years of league umpiring Gavin was not only named a WAFL Grand Final umpire in 2007, 2008 and 2009, but nominated by his peers as Umpire of the Year in the same seasons.

Currently, Gavin has umpired 279 league football matches and was named Umpire Rookie of the year by the AFL in 2008 and 2009. He has also been selected to umpire the state matches.

Everybody involved in amateur football salutes Gavin Statham for his remarkable and sustained contribution to football and for achieving so much from humble beginnings as an 11 year old running boundary in the WAAFL.

Peter D. Tannock

2010

Player/Coach/Administrator 1961 - 1998
University Amateur Football Club

Already a Life Member of the WAFL and AFL, Dr Peter D. Tannock AM is one of the most outstanding achievers in the history of the WAAFL. Dr Tannock’s football career began in the University Metropolitan Junior competition in 1959. His ability shone through early and he was made captain-coach midway through the 1959 season, taking them to premiership victory in 1960.

In 1961 he moved to the WA Amateur Football League and played one season with the University Amateur Football Club. The following year Dr Tannock moved to Albany High School for work and played with North Albany, winning their best and fairest in his first season.

His talents were quickly spotted and the East Perth Football Club invited him to play for them. After four seasons at East Perth, playing alongside of the game’s greatest players and being selected for the 1966 WA state team, Dr Tannock moved to the United States to pursue his career.

Upon returning to Western Australia, Dr Tannock was appointed captain-coach of University Amateur Football Clubs A Grade team in 1969, 1970 and 1971, winning the 1969 and 1970 Premierships and earning selection as captain-coach of the 1970 WA Carnival team. His performances at the Carnival saw him awarded Vice Captaincy of the All Australia side in 1970.

Dr Tannock’s football career ended when he was transferred to Canberra as Chairman of the Schools Commission.

In 1985 he was appointed to the board of the WAFL and became the Chairman of the Football Development Trust. In 1987 Dr. Tannock played a major part in the organisation of the inaugural VFL license with Indian Pacific and consequently the birth of the West Coast Eagles. Dr. Tannock continued his work with in Western Australian football and in 1989 was appointed the first Chairman of the WA Football Commission where he served for a decade.

Outside of football, Dr. Tannock has also been a great achiever, particularly in the education system where he has been a chairman of the Australian Schools Commission and also a director of Catholic Education in Western Australian.

Dr Tannock is also a former chairman of the National Catholic Education Commission and played a key role in the enormous expansion of the modern Catholic Education school system, its ethics and its presentation. In 1992 he was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia and was Professor of Education and Dean of Faculty of Education at the University of Western Australia. He also served on the University Senate and also held fellowships at John Hopkins University, the Australian National University and the University of London.

In 2008, Dr Tannock was awarded a papal knighthood – Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great – in recognition of his lifelong work for the Catholic Education and the Catholic Church. In bestowing the Knighthood the Catholic Arch Bishop noted as part of his contribution to Australia his work in football administration.