Volunteer Week is a celebration of all the wonderful members of the netball community that work tirelessly to create a thriving and inclusive environment for all. Carmel Annett, the netball co-ordinator for Moyhu Football Netball Club in the Ovens and King League, is the epitome of that role and a driving force in getting the competition back up and running.
Member of the Moyhu community, Corina Falconer, highlighted her appreciation for all that Annett does in running a successful netball competition week in, week out.
“Without Carmel as co-ordinator, we would not be able to function. She is constantly working behind the scenes and takes on many roles,” said Falconer.
“I’m honestly not sure how she manages to do all this and continue to work a full-time job and look after her family. She is amazing and does a wonderful job.”
Annett has been part of the Moyhu family since she was 18, and while she is no longer a teenager she continues instilling her love for the game into the next generation.
“It's just nice to see the smiles on the kids’ faces and the joy that they get out being out on court. They might be having a really bad day, you don't know what goes on behind closed doors. But as soon as they get on the court, they forget all their troubles and they're happy and they just beam,” she said.
“That's why I do it - I just do it for the kids. I know how much enjoyment I used to get out of playing netball and the social side of things, you meet new friends and become lifelong friends. I do it just for them.”
Throughout her time with the club Annett has pulled on multiple hats, highlighting her versatility and commitment.
“It's a community. I don't feel like I do anything over and above that I should be recognised for. If there's strapping that needs to be done, I'll strap an ankle or something like that,” she said.
“We have to make sure the courts get swept, club rooms and toilets are clean. I make sure that everything is ready for when the other team arrives, block off roadways, make sandwiches. Then once the game starts, I'm the court official.”
Annett spends all day, every day at the netball club with a typical weekend encompassing hours on end at the courts or travelling to games to ensure that everything is set up and ready to go.
“Normally I get there before the majority of everybody else to get the day set up, because we're a little country town.”
“A day could start at eight in the morning and then I might not get home till nine at night depending on if it's a home game or if it's an away game, I just do what the kids need me to do.”
If Annett isn’t officiating or lending a hand in first aid, you’ll find her coaching or in the kitchen.
“I also coach B grade, so throw in that duty on top of that. At the end of the day, especially at home games I've got to enter all the day’s details, so all the results go onto Netball Connect,” she said.
“If we've got a function, I'll make sure that the food's done or jump into the kitchen. I prefer to be busy than to twiddle my thumbs. My own two daughters play so I just like to make sure everyone's having a good time.”
Not one for the spotlight, Annett likes to hide behind the scenes at Moyhu but has been integral in re-establishing the netball community after the past two years impacted by COVID.
“I've pretty much tried to pull in and play the friendship groups card. Most of the girls that finished Year 12 that are going off to uni the following year weren’t going to play, but I convinced them to come have fun and play,” she said.
“I really pushed that community side of things. It's all about rebuilding the communities because it's not just our club that was hit hard - there was a lot of others in our league and all over that are finding the same thing.
“We're trying to introduce the family side of things again, bring your mum and dad. We do Community Cup where we invite the whole community and play off against another club and have an afternoon tea.”
Known as the “mother of the club”, Annett will continue to inspire the Moyhu netball community by creating a safe and welcoming space for all.
