Gisborne Football Netball Club’s 2026 Presentation Night was one to remember for many years.
It celebrated the club’s final season in the Bendigo League, with thoughts turned to making an impact in the Ballarat League next season.
There were three Bendigo League premierships to applaud — the senior football victory over Sandhurst, and the netball flags in B-grade and B-Reserve.
Outstanding Bulldog footballer Brad Bernacki missed playing in the grand final due to injury, but added another club best and fairest award to his collection.
Star defender Tilly Shepherd, who formerly starred with Kyneton in the Riddell League, was the club’s top netballer for the second year in a row.
Former long-serving president John Wood received the Life Member Award, Nirvana Martin was the Ben Watt Rising Star Award winner, and the Belcher Award for Club Person of the Year went to Brett Thomas.
THE AWARD WINNERS
Senior men’s football: Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest) — Brad Bernacki.
Runner-up B&F and leading goalkicker — Pat McKenna.
Best in finals — Dylan Johnstone.
Coaches’ awards — Zac Vescovi and Frank Schipano.
Reserves: Bernie Gardiner Medal (B&F) — Hugo Olive.
Runner-up B&F — Leon Thiner.
Leading goalkicker — David Baynon.
Coaches’ awards — Alonzo Rovere and Zach Patterson.
Under 18s: Steve Simpson Medal (B&F) — James McKibbon.
Runner-up B&F — Will Pizaro.
Leading goalkicker — Harvey Meacham.
Coaches’ awards — Blake Freeth and Archie Shore.
Senior women’s football: Mitchell Medal — Amy O’Kelly.
Runner-up B&F — Maisie Crowther.
Leading goalkicker — Alexia Todorovic.
Coaches’ award — Hayley Mitchell and Jenna Hubbard.
U19 women’s football: B&F — Audrey Ryan. Runner-up — Holly Vescovi.
Leading goalkicker — Lulu McTrusty.
Best in Finals — Amelia Willemen.
Coaches’ awards — Darcy Paterson and Summer Pietromonaco.
NETBALL WINNERS
A-grade (Rymer Black Medal) B&F — Tilly Shepherd.
Joint runners-up — Kirby Elliott and Tori Skrijel.
Best in finals — Tori Skrijel.
Players’ player — Kirby Elliott.
A-Reserve B&F — Nirvana Martin. Runner-up Charlotte Crook.
Best in Finals — Alexandra Russ.
Players’ player — Alexandra Russ.
B-grade B&F — Rylee Connell. Runner-up Olivia Fenn.
Best in finals — Georgia Murray.
Players’ player — Taylah Ranieri and Georgie Murray.
B-Reserve B&F — Holly Brewer. Runner-up Bridget Salter.
Best in finals — Lily Prater and Adele McKibbon.
Players’ player — Lily Prater.
Under 17s B&F — Phoebe Priest. Runners-up — Monique McKibbin and Myah Fenn.
Players’ player — Monique McKibbin.