Softball Queensland Hall of Fame

The Softball Queensland Hall of Fame Award may be conferred upon a player who has made an outstanding contribution to Softball in Queensland through their participation in the Queensland Open Representative Team. Such player shall have displayed exemplary behaviour as a member of Queensland Softball Association both within and outside the team environment. In addition to qualify for consideration for the Hall of Fame Award a player must have;

Retired from participation at Open National Championships for a minimum of four years Represented Queensland for a minimum of eight (8) National Open Championships Made an outstanding contribution to the team’s performance by playing a key role for much of that time and performed at a level higher than average. Consideration may also be given to Australian representation and Award/s received at National Championships.

PLEASE NOTE: * Denotes deceased

2000 Inductees

Berneice Jamieson (Siggs)*- award accepted by sister, Daphne Hass

Bernie represented Queensland between 1947 and 1961. She was in the first State team ever named and was Vice Captain on one occasion and Captain five times. She was a catcher and was named reserve for the Australian team that toured New Zealand in 1951. Bernie earned a Life Membership of QSA Inc. for her services to the State body as Treasurer and Selector Vera Burke (Campbell)

A very well represented pitcher in her time, Vera was selected in the first State team in 1947 and was a member of the first Queensland team to win the Gilley’s Shield at the sixteenth Australian National Championship in Perth in 1963. She represented her State in the 1947 to 1963 era. Vera was selected in an Australian team in 1951 but due to personal reasons had to withdraw. She was later selected in an All Star team named at the end of the 1955 Nationals and as a reserve for the Australian team that toured New Zealand in 1962.

Sandra Somerville (Emerson)

Sandra played third base for Australia in the Gold Medal winning team at the first World Series in Melbourne in 1965 and is a member of Softball Australia’s Hall of Fame. She played for the State during the period 1960 to 1966 and was a member of Queensland’s first team to win the Gilley’s Shield in 1963. Sandra represented Australia in 1965 and on the tour of South Africa in 1967.

Margaret Dodds

Margaret represented Queensland between 1954 and 1968. She was a member of Queensland’s first Gilley’s Shield winning team in 1963. She represented Australia in 1960, 1962 and 1965. Margaret is a member of Softball Australia’s Hall of Fame and was a member of the team which won the inaugural World Series in 1965. Margaret was a catcher. She is also a QSA Inc. Life Member having held the position of Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer.

Lorraine Woolley

A member of Australia’s winning team in the inaugural World Series in 1965 and also a member of Softball Australia’s Hall of Fame, she represented Queensland between 1961 and 1970. She again represented Australia in 1967 and in 1970 was named Vice Captain and played in her second World Championship in Osaka, Japan. ASF named the Most Valuable Pitcher Award, presented at the Women’s Open national titles each year, after her. Lorraine was State Vice Captain once and Captain six times. She was the first pitcher to pitch Queensland to three National Titles (1963, 1966 and 1968).

Fay Smallwood

Fay was a highly trained outfielder and batter who represented her State in the 1962 to 1970 era. During that time she was appointed Vice Captain and Captain. A member of Queensland’s first team to win the Gilley’s Shield in 1963, she was named as a reserve for the 1965 World Series. In 1967, Fay toured South Africa with the Australian team and played in the 1970 World Championship in Osaka, Japan and later toured Asia as part of that team. Fay received a QSA Service Award in 1987.

Sandra Gaddes (Woodings)(accepted her award with 2001 Inductees)

An unorthodox pitcher who stepped with the “wrong foot”, Sandra represented Queensland between 1964 and 1977 and held the position of Captain three times. She was named as a reserve for the 1972 Australian team and played for Australia in the 1975 tour of New Zealand. Sandra remained involved in the game over many years as a player, coach and administrator. Sandy received a Life Membership of QSA Inc. where she held the position of Secretary for 10 years.

Heather Byrnes (Bonzi)

A talented outfielder, also noted for her speed out on base, Heather represented Queensland during the period 1972 to 1980. Australian representation came in 1975. Heather coached junior teams for her club and helped many young players to develop good basic skills and to achieve their full potential. She also served as a State selector, Assistant Coach and Coach.

Robyn Trewick

An outstanding outfielder and batter, Robyn was a Queensland team member between 1972 and 1982. She was Vice Captain twice and Captain on six occasions. Robyn represented Australia five times. 1975, 1976, 1977, and in the 1978 World Championship team in El Salvador and again as Vice Captain of the 1982 team which toured New Zealand and participated in the Pan Am Series there in 1982. From 1987 to 1991, Robyn served on the ASF Tournament Committee and in more recent years has ventured into Team Management.

Leigh Muller (Lester)

The ultimate all-rounder, Leigh gained State caps from 1975 to 1982. Leigh was Vice Captain three times and was a coach’s dream. When she wasn’t in the first nine, she was the first called in when there was a weakness in the field or a pinch hitter was needed. As a utility player, Leigh probably paid the price of not being a specialist. She has served as a State Selector and Assistant Coach.

Jenny Andrews

Jenny began her Open Representation in 1982 and continued through to 1989. She is one of only three players in the line-up of all three teams which won the National Championships in 1983, 1984 and 1987. Until then, Lorraine Woolley was the only pitcher to have won three national Championships. Jenny also pitcher her club team to three national Club Championships titles. Jenny was a first base/catcher who took up pitching at age seventeen and went on to play for Australia in 1983, 1984, 1988 and 1989.

Judy Young (Barden)

Representing Queensland between 1981 and 1990, Judy was one of only three players who participated in all three National Championship winning teams in 1983, 1984 and 1987. Judy was one of the outstanding players in her era. The highlight of Judy’s career came in 1982 when she was named in the World All Star Team at the World Series held in Taiwan. This was Judy’s first Australian tour and she followed that up with tours in 1983, 1984 and 1989. Judy was the QSA Coaching Director and was Assistant Coach of the 200 Queensland Open Women’s team.

Scott Cagney

Scott was a member of the first Queensland team which played in the inaugural national Men’s Championship in 1984. He continued to represent the State through to 1991, climaxing this outstanding performance by being named Co-Captain in 1989 and Captain in his final year. During his time in the State team, Scott played first, third and short stop.

Julie Hass

A State representative between 1980 and 1992, Julie also donned the Australian cap four times (1982, 1985, in the World Series in Auckland – New Zealand in 1986 and 1988). A shortstop initially, Julie became a third base without equal at State Level. Injury cut Julie’s representative days short but she had already cemented her reputation as a highly successful lead-off batter who, through a hit or bunt, inevitably stood up on first before the opposition realised what had happened. Julie is a holder of a QSA Inc. Service Award.

Joyce Lester (accepted her award with 2001 Inductees)

A fixture in our State Team during the 1975 to 1996 era, Joyce was Vice Captain three times and Captain twelve times. She was a member of eight of Queensland’s National Championship winning teams and retired from representative softball in July 1996 after captaining Australia in the Atlanta Olympics and bringing home a Bronze Medal. Joyce established many records during her playing career, the most notable of which would be her World Record of playing in five ISF World Series. She participated in twenty-six tournaments wearing the Australian colours between 1977 and 1996 and captained Australia form 1985 to 1996. Joyce coached the 2000 Queensland Open Women’s team. She holds both QSA Inc. and ASF Service Awards. 2001 Inductees

Yvonne Johnston (Barber)

Yvonne represented Queensland between 1947 and 1954. She was in the first State team ever named. Yvonne played first base for Rebels club in the Brisbane Competition.

Edna Corbett (Siipola)

Edna was a Queensland representative from 1949 to 1954. She was Vice Captain in 1954. At seventeen, she was the only Queenslander to go on Australia’s first overseas tour to New Zealand in 1951. A catcher, Edna played in the Brisbane and Mount Isa competitions.

June Horne (Browning)

June was an outstanding pitcher who represented Queensland between 1949 and 1954. She participated in both the Brisbane and Mount Isa competitions during her playing years and made a comeback with the introduction of Masters Softball in the 90’s.

Sybil Siggs* - award accepted by sister, Daphne Hass

Sybil represented Queensland between 1947 and 1958. Sybil was a pitcher who controlled the batters which her great accuracy and at club level in Brisbane threw to her sister, Berneice, and other sisters June and Daphne on first and second.

Lola Mavor (Green)

A shortstop, Lola played for Queensland between 1953 and 1959. She was Vice Captain in 1956, 1958 and 1959. Her all round ability singled her out as one of the top players of her year. Lola played for the Sluggers Club in the Brisbane Competition.

Elaine Robinson (Dempster)

A pitcher, Elaine represented Queensland between 1954 and 1961. She was Captain in 1960 and 1961. Elaine also captained Queensland in a two Test Series against South Africa (won 2-0 by Queensland) in Brisbane in 1960. In the 60’s and 70’s Elaine served the Association in the role of Select (Senior Women and Under 16 Girls); Assistant Treasurer in 1978/79 and on the Scoring Committee in 1979/80. Elaine was made a Life Member of the Association in 1972.

Carolyn Crudgington (Gunderson)

Carolyn represented Queensland between 1986 and 1996. She was Vice Captain in 1995 and 1996. Carolyn won the Lorraine Woolley Medal (Most Valuable Pitcher Award) at the Nationals in 1987, 1991, 1992 and 1995. Originally a Redlands District Association player, Carolyn transferred to Brisbane where she remained through to retirement.

2002 Inductees

Julie Dunn

Represented in Open competition between 1976 and 1983 and was a member of the team that won the Gilley’s Shield in Adelaide in 1983. Julie was known as an excellent bunter and for her speed around the bases.

Leanne Binnie (Bichel)

Represented at senior level between 1976 and 1985 and played Second, Third and Shortstop. Leanne captained Queensland when we finally made our big break-through in Adelaide in 1983, winning the Gilley’s Shield for the first time since 1975.

Eddie “Mucka” Tyson

Represented Queensland between 1985 and 1992. He played in the 1988 team that went close to winning the Championship when the team won the first Final at the Nationals in Canberra. Eddie presented a formidable figure as a specialist Third Base.

Kerrilyn Bichel-Hoger

Played at open level from 1984 to 1990. Kerrilyn was a Second Base and Outfielder and played in two teams that won the Gilley’s Shield, Perth in 1984 and Darwin in 1987.

Patrice Camm

Represented at senior level from 1984 to 1990 and played in two Gilley’s Shield winning teams; Perth 1984 and Darwin 1987. Patrice was a big hitter (a lefty who batted right-handed) and played First Base. Neville Otto – unable to attend awards night

Neville was a member of Queensland’s first Men’s team in 1984 and played from 1984 to 1990. He played Second, Third, Short and Outfield and was Captain and Co-Captain twice and Vice Captain once. Neville was Vice Captain of the 1988 team that went close to winning the Championship when the team won the first Final at the Nationals in Canberra.

Brett Walker – unable to attend awards night

Represented Queensland between 1991 and 1999. Brett played Catcher, First and Outfield during his career at State Level.

2003 Inductees

Kim Cooper

Kim represented Queensland Seniors fifteen times between 1985 and 2000. On six of those occasions Queensland won the Gilley’s Shield at the National Championship. Kim played Third Base and Short Stop and captained the team for four years from 1997 to 2000. Kim was awarded the Midge Nelson Medal for the Most Valuable Player at the 1992 National Championship in Perth. In 2000 she was inducted into the Sunshine Coast Hall of Fame.

Stephen Harding

Stephen represented Queensland Senior Men at National Championships between 1988 and 2000. As well as being on the player list, Stephen was appointed Assistant Coach/Administrator of the 2000 team. Stephen was a true Utility player. The only positions he doesn’t seem to have played at State level are Second and Third. In 1995 and 1996 he was Co-Captain. In 1989 he received the Best batter Award at the Nationals in Sydney.

Francine McRae

Frankie represented Queensland at National Championships between 1993 and 2000. Frankie played Right Field and Designated Hitter. A left-handed big hitter and running bunter, she was a valuable member of four teams that won the Gilley’s Shield for Queensland. Frankie was awarded the Midge Nelson Medal for the Most Valuable Player at the 1994 nationals in Canberra and the Sybil Turner Medal/Best Batter Award in Brisbane in 1996.

2008 Inductees

Haylea Petrie

Haylea represented Queensland at the open level for 13 years between 1989 and 2004 and played in 117 games. She was predominately an outfielder, her gun arm made her formidable to opposition base runners. As a hitter, her power was incredible and she was intimidating to the opposition teams. Although she didn’t win an individual award at the Gilley’s Shield, she picked up ten individual awards throughout her career at other Australian events (eg. National Club Championships/National Fastpitch Softball League). She won six Gilley’s Shield titles, and was the Vice-Captain for four years. The highlight of her Australian representation include wearing the green and gold in two world championships, in 1990 and 1994, and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Kathy Mitchell

Kathy represented Queensland for nine years from 1990 to 2000. During this time she played majority of the games, and made few errors on the field, something that is very hard to do. She was a consistent hitter and was a member of the team which won four Gilley’s Shields. Her Australian highlights include playing over 81 games wearing the green and gold and heading to two world championships, in 1990 and 1994.

Natalie Hodgskin

Natalie Hodgskin (nee Shapiro) represented Queensland for a period of 8 years (1997-2003, 2006). She was selected in the Queensland Open Women’s team in 2004 and 2005 but unfortunately broke her leg in December 2003 and had to withdraw from the 2004 team. Four months of intense rehabilitation saw her selected in the Australian Women’s Olympic Softball Team and subsequently come home from Athens with a silver medal. The majority of the time saw Natalie play Third Base in the team, however on occasion she played Right field and Second Base. She played 69.78 games out of a possible 91, a participation rate of 77%, and was a member of 4 Queensland Open Women’s Teams which won National Championship Titles in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2006.

Marissa Carpadios Marissa played for the Queensland Open Women’s Team from 1997-2007 and was the team’s captain from 2004-2007. Marissa won Best Batter Awards in 2001 and 2002 at the Open Women’s National Championship and Australia Cup respectively. Marissa represented Queensland Under 16s in 1993 and Under 19s from 1994-1996. Marissa went on to represent Australia in 175 games from 1997-2006 including the 2004 Olympic Games and 2002 and 2006 World Championships winning a Silver and Bronze medal. In 2007 Marissa coached the Open Women’s Development team and was a Specialist Coach for the Australian Under 19 Women’s team, as well as being the Queensland Academy of Sport Softball Unit Development Squad Program Catching Coach.

Tanya Harding

After playing in Queensland’s Under 16 and Under 19 teams in 1986-1988 and 1989-1991 respectively, Tanya made her debut for the Queensland Open Women in 1993, playing each year until 1996 as well as 1998-2000, 2002-2004, 2006 and 2008. Tanya captained the team from 2002 to 2004. During this time, she won the 1994 Lorraine Woolley Medal (Pitching Award) and the 1996, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Midge Nelson Medals (MVP Award) at the Open Women’s National Championships. Tanya also won the 2002 Best Pitcher Award (Australia Cup), 2002 MVP Award (NSWIS Cup) and 2004 Best Pitcher Award (ASF Grand Prix Series 2, 3 and Overall) while competing for QAS Heatwave. Tanya was also a member of the Australian Women’s Team for thirteen years, playing 283 games. Tanya played for Australia at four Olympic Games and four World Championships winning five Bronze medals and two Silver Medals. Tanya played professional softball in Japan (1996-2000, 2007) and Italy (2004).

Brooke Wilkins

Brooke first represented Queensland’s Open Women’s team in 1998 after previously playing for New South Wales. She played in nine Gilley’s Shield tournaments for Queensland. Brooke won the Lorraine Woolley Medal (Pitching Award) five times during that period. Brooke has continued her involvement by coaching many Queensland teams including the 2007 Open Women’s Development Team, and was an assistant coach to the Queensland Under 19 Women’s teams in 2011 and 2012. She was also the Development Squad Program Manager and Pitching Coach from 2006-2009 for the Softball Queensland/Queensland Academy of Sport Softball Unit. Brooke represented Australia from 1993-2005 for 197 games. Brooke played in three World Championships for a Bronze and Silver Medal and three Olympic Games for two Bronze and one Silver Medal. Following her retirement in 2004, Brooke was inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2011, she was inducted into the University of Hawaii’s Circle of Honour.