As part of the 2025 WorkSafe Country Club Series, all six host clubs nominated a volunteer. Images: Luke Hemer
To celebrate the end of another season of country football, and thank those who give their time to supporting their football club, AFL Victoria will crown its 2025 WorkSafe Country Volunteer of the Year this Friday.
All WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Clubs were invited to nominate an outstanding volunteer from their club, with the winner to be announced on Friday.
As part of the 2025 WorkSafe Country Club Series, all six host clubs nominated a volunteer worthy of this recognition, with the below nominees entered into the pool of nominations from across the state.
The volunteer may have contributed to the completion of a major or significant project throughout their time or they may be someone who has contributed in a number of roles over a long period.
Read about each volunteer from the 2025 WorkSafe Country Club Series below, in the words of those who nominated them.
Elmore FNC v Mt Pleasant
Geoff Pymer (Elmore)
"Pymz has been the backbone of Elmore Football Netball Club for many years. As a long-serving secretary and tireless volunteer, he ensures everything runs smoothly, from administration to game day, right through to working bees and after home game cleanups. His dedication and hard work behind the scenes is what makes clubs like ours so great."
Kyabram FNC v Shepparton
John Guinan (Kyabram President)
"He wouldn't want me to say this as he is a modest person. However he works tirelessly in his role. He took on the role in 2023 when a former President stepped aside just before the season commenced. John put his hand up and stepped into the role and this is his third year as President. I am not sure how he gets personal work done due to fielding phone calls from both football and netball coaches, league officials, sponsors and parents of players. He has learnt to delegate fast but he continues to work many voluntary hours for the club."
Nhill and District Sporting Club v Ararat
Josh Shrive (Nhill secretary)
"Josh received our club person of the year for his tireless work in every aspect of the club above and beyond the role he committed to in secretary."
Cavendish FNC v Heywood
Peter Hardy (Cavendish)
"Pete came back to his hometown club in 2024 with his Kids making the choice to play football and netball here. After a year of outstanding volunteering and helping in many facets, including the Oval maintenance and general assistance around the grounds, Pete accepted my request for him to come on board as my vice president for season 2025. Pete is the first person to put his hand up to help with anything. He's an outstanding clubman and has everyones safety and best interests at heart."
Timboon Demons FNC v Kolora-Noorat
Joe Clover (Timboon Demons)
"Joe’s extraordinary off-field contributions over the span of 63 years I believe makes him the perfect nomination and a very worthy recipient for the 2025 WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Volunteer of the Year Award. Joe has been a fixture of the club performing a wide variety of roles which continues to this day as Timboon Demons current matchday gate keeper. As well as gate keeping Joe is at every Tuesday and Thursday night training, is the first person to ask if anything needs doing around the club and jumping in getting things done if he sees a need whether it be helping with Thursday night dishes, setting up for a function or helping with clean up.
Listed below are the formal roles and years that Joe completed each role:
- Timboon Committee Member: 1961-1978, 1979-1981, 1997-2000
- Timboon President: 1975-1978, 1980
- Timboon Vice President: 1974
- Timboon Treasurer: 1981
- Timboon Secretary: 1999 & 2000
- Timboon Assistant Secretary: 1997 & 1998
- League Senior Vice President: 1978
- League Delegate: Unsure of exact years but for many of the years listed above.
- Timboon Reserves Playing Coach: 1979
- Senior and Reserves Goal Umpire: 1981-1985
- Timboon Club Trainer: 2001-2015
- Gate Keeper: 2015 to present
Given Joe's stellar resume as a volunteer at the Timboon Demons FNC that it gives us extreme pleasure to nominate Joe for the 2025 WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Volunteer of the Year Award."
Foster FNC v Fish Creek
Geoff McGraw (Foster)
"Geoff is a life member, past president and committee member. Geoff turns 90 this year and still continues to serve the club. He is still time keeping, cleaning rooms, packing the trailer for away games. He continues to mow grass around the grounds and generally helps out wherever and whenever he can. Geoff was a local dairy farmer and many years ago had a tractor accident, which eventually forced his hand into moving off farm and into town. Although not as physically capable as what he once was, he was still active and wanted to continue to participate in the community, the Football club were the beneficiaries of his unfortunate accident. His dedication to the Foster Football Netball club has been ongoing for many years and continues to be so."