2005 Anne Clark Service Award & Life Members Dinner Pictured: L-R Joanna Gash (Federal Member for Gilmore); Kay Hodge Mrs. Betty Berg OAM & Debbie Todeschini (President) 2005 marked 30 years of the Anne Clark Service Award, one of netball's most prestigious awards, which acknowledges the volunteers that give endlessly to their sport. At the Netball New South Wales AGM Dinner held in Sydney on 5th November Kay Hodge was one of five recipients who was awarded Netball's most prestigious award - The Anne Clark Service Award - this was presented in acknowledgement of those who give endlessly to our sport and whom through their generosity and giving, have made netball the most successful women's sport throughout the nation. The Ulladulla & District Netball Association held a dinner to celebrate this momentous achievement and will also at the same time acknowledge our Life Members. Photo: L-R Kay Hodge receiving the Netball NSW Anne Clark Service Award                                                from Debbie Todeschini, President. Anne Clark will always be remembered for her love of netball and her passion to develop the sport at all levels. Right up until she passed away, Anne Clark was an active member of the netball community with an extensive list of netball achievements to her credit. She was appointed the President of Netball NSW in 1950, where her position stood for an impressive 28 years. In 1968, her service and enthusiasm was acknowledged as she was made a life member, in a vote made unanimously by the Board. In 1975 Anne was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of her service to the community in general and netball in particular, and only four years later, in 1979, Anne was named the patron of Netball NSW. Anne Clark BEM (decd.) - Biography The name Anne Clark is synonymous with netball in NSW. Anne Clark was awarded her All Australia umpires badge in 1931 and she umpired at most world tournaments from 1938 until 1975. Some of Anne's most illustrious career highlights included the 1948 New Zealand tour, the 1956 England tour and the 1967 World Tournament in Perth. Outside Australia, Anne is best known for her work in Papua New Guinea. Following her first visit on an umpiring lecture tour in 1966 Anne was chosen as the umpire for the South Pacific Games in Noumea in 1966 and again at Port Moresby in 1969. Other notable credits in Anne's memory include her selection as Netball NSW President from 1950-1978 and in 1968 she was awarded life membership. Her illustrious Umpiring career also saw Anne selected as an umpire for the first A.A Team against New Zealand in 1938 and as a Senior Official and Umpire in the second World Tournament in Perth, 1967. In recognition of her services to netball Anne was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1975. The headquarters of the NSW Netball Association has been named in her honour to recognise her outstanding contribution to netball. Photo: L-R Joseph Perosh (Major Sponsor J. R. Jewellers); Kay Hodge and Leanne Perosh. Back to Celebrations Homepage   Be a Sport Just Support- Then your Children will Enjoy! Affiliated with New South Wales Netball Association Limited and All Australia Netball Association (Ltd)