NT Cricket and our proud partners at AANT are delighted to announce that the winner of July’s ‘AANT Volunteer of the Month’ Award is Adam Melbourne of Tracy Village Cricket Club in Darwin.
Affectionately known as ‘Melbs’, Adam’s hard work and dedication to maintaining the integrity of Tracy Village’s wicket; from renovating, regular visits for mowing and watering, to repairing and maintaining machinery and overhauling broken machinery in service of the club, cannot be overstated. Adam is constantly down at Tracy Village working on the wicket block. To him it is a second job that he doesn't get paid for.
Adam embodies the community spirit at Tracy Village Cricket Club. Not only keeping the TVCC Oval looking pristine, he has also been a junior coach for many years now, giving up his Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings to coach the club’s U15 Red team.
Nominating Adam for this month’s Award, Tracy Village CC’s Junior Co-ordinator, Mel Nixon, was a vocal advocate for recognising the contribution Adam provides to the club:
“Adam has had to adjust his work hours to be able to prepare the pitch each week. His work is not monthly, it is daily; he just keeps going and going! Adam uses the Curators grant that he receives to buy the materials and resources needed to maintain the pitch and grounds at TVCC. This is an incredible help to the club and is over and above, making him a 100% volunteer.
Tracy Village CC have very few volunteers but the ones we do have are hardworking and you couldn't ask any more from them. Winning this Award just sums up his contribution to our club and he thoroughly deserves this acknowledgement and recognition for his commitment to his cricket club”.
Mel Gellel, Tracy Village CC’s Club Secretary, was similarly effusive in her praise for Adam:
“An absolute legend working on our pitch; after a very wet end to the footy season this year, Melbs worked tirelessly most days to get the grounds ready for the new season.
We are not a financial club, but we make up for it in the priceless value of our volunteers and Adam has a 'passion for the pitch!' From sourcing clay in the off season to the endless hours of dedication to prepping the Tracy Village Oval throughout the season; preparing a pitch at Tracy Village with the limited water available is no easy feat but we believe we have a pitch to be proud of thanks to Melbs!”
Ever the team player, Adam was very modest when receiving his award, focusing on the work of all of Tracy Village CC's volunteers rather than himself:
"Community sports wouldn't exist without volunteers and Tracy Village has a fantastic group of dedicated individuals who give their time.
"My message to anyone considering volunteering is simple: 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.' You might think you can only help with a small task, but those little things make a big difference."
Adam will receive a 12-month Premium AANT Membership along with a $250 United fuel voucher.
Nominations are now open for August’s AANT Volunteer of the Month. If you would like to nominate a valued volunteer at your club, this month’s nomination form can be found by clicking here.