Local sporting champions Lichelle Clarke PLY, Tania McLeish, Anne Skinner, Belinda Watts-Keeley, and Jason Bargwanna have been inducted into the Baw Baw Shire Sporting Walk of Fame.
The five renowned sportspeople were formally recognised for their achievements at the highest national and international levels with a formal ceremony and plaque unveiling at the Walk of Fame in Civic Park, Warragul on Tuesday 8 March, 2022.
Lichelle Clarke PLY is an elite swimmer with a successful career at both a junior and senior level. Her highlight achievement is her Paralympic silver medal triumph in the 400m freestyle at the 2004 Athens Games.
Tania McLeish is a three-time world champion underwater hockey player and a key member of the Victorian Women’s team. She has also won multiple gold medals at the Australian National Titles through the 1990s and 2000s.
Anne Skinner is an exceptional international equestrian, having competed in two Paralympics, as well as at world, national and state championships. She has since received coaching qualifications with Riding with the Disabled Association of Victoria (RDA) and Equestrian Australia (EA).
Belinda Watts-Keeley is a two-time world champion underwater hockey player, having secured gold with the Australian Women’s team in 2002 and 2006. She has also represented Australia in the Elite Women’s division at six other world championships, winning multiple medals.
Jason Bargwanna is an Australian V8 Supercar champion with a career spanning more than 15 years, and including 377 V8 supercar races, 7 wins, 23 podium finishes and 3 pole positions. Following this success, in 2011 Jason left the Australian V8 Supercars and joined the New Zealand V8 Touring Car Championship, where he was equally as successful.
Jason was inducted to the Sporting Walk of Fame in 2020, however the planned ceremony was disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions.
To qualify for the Sporting Walk of Fame, a person must have achieved great success on the elite sporting stage. They must be of good character and a role model for residents and have resided or have a strong connection to the Shire.
Lichelle, Tania, Anne, Belinda, and Jason join 19 other inductees, including Lionel Rose for boxing, Kathy Watt for Cycling and AFL player Gary Ablett.
The simultaneous induction of four female athletes is a historic first for the Walk of Fame, and signals a positive change for gender equality in Baw Baw Shire. To recognise the significance, this year’s induction ceremony was held to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Inductee career highlights (alphabetical by surname)
Jason Bargwanna’s motor racing achievements include:
- 2000 – 1st Place – Overall – Bathurst 1000
- 1992 – 1st Place – Class C – Bathurst 1000
- 2013 & 2015 – New Zealand V8 Touring Cars – TLX Class – Championship Winner
- 2014 – New Zealand V8 Touring Cars – TLX Class – Championship Runner-Up
- Total Racing Career– 661 Races, 79 wins, 154 podium finishes, 20 pole positions
Lichelle Clarke PLY’s swimming achievements include:
- 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens – Silver Medal – Women’s 400m Freestyle S8
- 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens – Bronze Medal – Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay
- 2002 FESPIC Games for the Disabled, South Korea – 2 Gold Medals, 3 Silver Medals
- 2002 Spanish Disabled Swimming Nationals, Spain – 3 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal
- 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne – Placed 7th – Women’s 100m Freestyle EAD
Tania McLeish’s underwater hockey achievements include:
- World Championships – 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
- Southern Hemisphere Championships – 2 Gold, 1 Silver
- Australian Championships – 4 Gold
- Team Captain – 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011
Anne Skinner’s equestrian achievements include:
- 2004 – Paralympics Games, Athens – Teams – 6th Place
- 2004 – Paralympics Games, Athens – Individual – 9th Place
- 2000 – Paralympics Games, Sydney – Individual – 9th Place
- 2003 – Silver Medal – World Championships, Belgium
- 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2011 – National Champion – Various Competitions
Belinda Watts-Keeley’s underwater hockey achievements include:
- World Championships – 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
- Southern Hemisphere Championships – 2 Gold, 1 Silver
- Australian Championships – 5 Gold
- Team Captain – 2011, 2013
Click here to learn more about the Baw Baw Shire Sporting Walk of Fame.
Quotes attributable to Jason Bargwanna
“For me this is all about a young guy who chased, fought hard and followed his dreams and passion. I started my racing career with some lofty goals and wanting to achieve some amazing things.
“With hard work and the support of many great people, I was able realise those dreams and results. It’s nice to see others enjoy and share in the journey and to be honoured in this way is very special.
“Deb, Jake, Ben, and I are proud to be part of this community. We have made Warragul our home and set up shop here. For the community to recognise my career is very humbling and very special. A huge thank you goes out to the Council and those who made this possible.”
Quotes attributable to Lichelle Clarke PLY
“‘I feel honoured for the privilege of having my sporting achievements recognised in the Baw Baw Shire Sporting Walk of Fame.
“This induction not only acknowledges my accomplishments but helps increase the exposure of Paralympic athletes and the achievements they can reach with the support of their local community.”
Quotes attributable to Tania McLeish
“It is a high honour to receive this recognition and to be inducted into the Sporting Walk of Fame within the Baw Baw Shire. I would like to thank Rees for nominating me, an extremely talented player himself, and the many people who have helped my achievements along the years. Firstly, Belle who convinced me to start playing Underwater Hockey at the Warragul pool and then to all players who helped me progress up through the ranks in the Victorian and the Australian teams.
“My best memories are of all the team members I have played with and the lasting friendships I have made through this sport. After hard work and dedication nothing beats winning National championships and then World Championships.
“I have always strived to be the best I can be even through difficult circumstances.
“At present my thoughts are with Ukraine who must show outstanding courage to remain firm and fight for their independence.”
Quotes attributable to Anne Skinner
“It’s a thrilling honour to be recognised and to be included alongside so many amazing athletes.”
Quotes attributable to Belinda Watts-Keeley
“It is a huge honour to be inducted in the Baw Baw Shire Sporting Walk of Fame.
“I’d like to thank Drouin High School for offering such diversity of sports. They helped me along this path which has seen me circle the globe playing the sport I love for the past 25 years.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
“On behalf of Baw Baw Shire Council and the wider community, I congratulate Jason, Lichelle, Tania, Anne, and Belinda on their incredible sporting achievements. All are worthy ambassadors for our region.
“It is wonderful to be able to formally celebrate their contributions and cement their place in history with these plaques along the Baw Baw Shire Sporting Walk of Fame.”
Quotes attributable to Cr Jazmin Tauru
“I am in awe of these five amazing human beings and all they have accomplished in their chosen sports. In Jason’s case, this ceremony has been a long time coming. It is wonderful to finally be able to congratulate him in person and formally recognise his induction into the Walk of Fame with a proper ceremony.
In Lichelle, Tania, Anne, and Belinda, I see four incredible women that will be rightly recognised forever on the Sporting Walk of Fame.
All this year’s inductees have achieved at the absolute highest levels of their chosen sports, and all have my sincere admiration and congratulations.”
Quotes attributable to Cr Peter Kostos
“It is a great pleasure to induct these five outstanding competitors into the Baw Baw Shire Sporting Walk of Fame.
All are fantastic role models, and their recognition is well deserved. It is great to know that their names on these plaques will serve as an inspiration to sportspeople across the Shire for years to come.”
