Two incredible volunteers were honoured as CAWA Life Members at the 2023 CAWA Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 6th.

Debbie McDonald and Stephanie Humphrey were both recognised for their significant, sustained and lasting contribution to Calisthenics in Western Australia.

DEBORAH McDONALD

Deborah McDonald commenced her extensive volunteer journey with CAWA in 2000 when she became the Team Manager for Riverton’s Elementaries. She undertook a number of volunteer roles at Riverton from 2000 to 2016 including Team Manager, Costume Manager, Halls Booking Officer, Equipment Officer, Caliskills Coordinator, Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and President.  In 2009 Deborah assisted in organising Riverton’s 40th Anniversary celebrations.

In late 2016 Deborah was instrumental in the re-opening of Aurora Calisthenics Club. Since the Club’s re-opening she has been President, Team Manager, Costume Coordinator and Hall Coordinator. Deborah has been pivotal in Coach recruitment as well as actively promoting and advertising Aurora successfully on Social Media. Due to her dedication to her club, numbers have increased substantially over the past few years.

Deborah recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of South Perth Mayor in recognition of her continued voluntary work at Aurora.

Deborah continues to actively volunteer for the Association. In 2008 Deborah was part of the Nationals Organising Committee. She has also been Secretary on the CAWA Board of Management since 2011. She has been actively involved in numerous CAWA projects and programs too numerous to mention.

The amount of time and energy that Deborah has dedicated to the sport is simply outstanding and, as a result, Deborah was the well-deserved recipient of the Halliday Award in 2023.

Deborah McDonald has and continues to be a valuable hard-working volunteer for the Association and is a very deserving recipient of CAWA Life Membership. 

STEPHANIE HUMPHREY

Stephanie Humphrey has been an important part of both Athena Calisthenics Club and CAWA since her daughter, Louisa began classes 18 years ago. She has enthusiastically taken on many roles within the club including Team Co-ordinator, Cali Skills Co-ordinator, Vice President and general committee member, as well as being a support person to other positions throughout the years.

When the Athena Seniors competed at the Royal South Street Eisteddfod in Ballarat, Victoria in 2017, Stephanie was the major driver and organiser for the team, ensuring a wonderful and successful trip for all involved.

Louisa was selected into her first State Team at age 8, and Stephanie immediately offered to take on a position to help out as much as she could. She went on to be Chaperone for State Team in all age groups multiple times throughout the years. Her contribution to State Team wasn’t just taking on a position, she assisted in all areas of the State Team co-ordination and has become a highly respected and valued member of the team.

Stephanie took on the enormous task of CAWA Cali Skills Co-ordinator a decade ago. In addition to her exceptional organisational skills running the program, she has been instrumental in making the program what it is today in WA, with her support of the program and encouragement of candidates over the years. She has also given the Medals part of the program the prestige and grandeur that it deserves on the Cali calendar, attracting more candidates then ever striving to participate.

Stephanie has been a writer for our WA Adjudicator’s for many years. She is always happy to help out and is often called upon at short notice if someone is unavailable. She’s written for many of our adjudicators and is extremely well respected and valued in this role.

Over Stephanie’s many years being involved with Calisthenics in WA she has not only been an incredible support for her daughter but to so many others. She’s a wonderful advocate for our beautiful sport, much loved by all and truly deserves to be recognised as a Life Member of our Association.