Transformative inclusion efforts earn Veronica Treloar ASC Sport Volunteer of the Year

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has today announced Veronica Treloar, from the Williamstown Swimming & Life Saving Club in Melbourne, as the winner of the prestigious 2025 ASC Sport Volunteer of the Year Award. 

Veronica is being recognised for her decade-long commitment to inclusion and her transformative work with the Starfish Nippers program, which has created safe and competitive sporting pathways for children and athletes with disabilities across Victoria. 

ASC CEO Kieren Perkins acknowledged Veronica's profound impact on the sector and congratulated her on the award, which he presented in a special ceremony in the wake of International Volunteer Day on Friday. 

“Volunteers like Veronica are at the heart of Australian sport. Her efforts to foster a culture of respect and accessibility, whether mentoring new volunteers or establishing adaptive events at major carnivals, show the power of a participant-centred approach,” Perkins said.  

“The commitment Veronica has shown over nearly a decade in ensuring every child, regardless of ability, has a safe place to thrive is remarkable. She is a shining example of the fairness, integrity and inclusion we champion at the ASC and an inspiration to us all.” 

Since taking on the role of coordinator for Williamstown’s Starfish Nippers program in 2016, Veronica has overseen its exponential growth, increasing participation from just five children with disabilities to more than 20. Her steadfast commitment to safety and support is highlighted by the program’s 1:1 volunteer-to-participant ratio for every session. 

Today those efforts were recognised, leaving Veronica stunned during her acceptance speech. “It's pretty overwhelming - just blown away actually. It brought tears to my eyes. I had no idea as I was too busy worrying about today's schedule...but it's a lovely privilege,” Veronica said. Veronica’s influence extends far beyond her home club. In 2024, her expertise in adaptive sport led her to join Life Saving Victoria’s Adaptive Sport Working Group.  

She has since been instrumental in introducing adaptive events into three major lifesaving carnivals, providing 23 athletes with disabilities the opportunity to compete in lifesaving sport for the first time. 

She has also taken a leadership role in supporting Starfish Nippers Carnivals, collaborating with other clubs to establish new pathways for participation and belonging for families across the state. 

Veronica was named the winner of the award over the other three finalists: Christopher Luxford (Greenbank Giants AFC, Qld), Bianca McRae (Vasse Soccer Club, WA) and Esther Rika (Gove Country Golf Club, NT), who are all changemakers in their communities.  

Christopher transformed his club from a small community team of around 50 players into a thriving, inclusive sporting hub with more than 200 members, Bianca helped Vasse became the first regional club (and only the second club in WA) to achieve the 2-Star Club Changer accreditation through Football Australia, while Rika redefined what it means to be a volunteer in one of Australia’s most-remote communities.