Tasmanian Athlete of the Year

Multiple Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus has become the first person to win the Tasmanian Athlete of the Year for the fourth time.

On a huge day of Tasmanian sporting celebrations, the 24-year-old swimmer was honoured at a cocktail function at Princess Wharf in Hobart.

Following previous wins in 2019, 2020-21 and 2023, it was the first time Titmus had been able to accept the award in person.

The recognition came four months after the Launceston-born freestyle specialist, who moved to Queensland in 2015, won two gold and two silver medals at the Paris Olympics - adding to her haul of two golds, one silver and one bronze from the Tokyo Games.

Titmus made history in the French capital by becoming the first female Australian to defend an Olympic 400m title while also helping set an Olympic record in the 4x200m relay.

She was narrowly edged out by compatriot and St Peters Western clubmate Mollie O’Callaghan in the 200m before again finishing behind long-time American rival Katie Ledecky in the 800m.

In the 4x200m relay, Titmus recorded the fastest split of 1:52.95 as she teamed up with O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister and Brianna Throssell to win gold in 7:38.08 and break the Olympic record of 7:40.33 set by China at the previous Olympics.

Earlier in the year, Titmus had also broken the 200m freestyle world record at the Australian trials.

Georgia is an athlete who made her way through the Tasmanian Institute of Sport talent pathway, having been identified as a potential cyclist through testing conducted at her primary school.

Georgia’s progression includes winning Gold at World Track Championships in 2019 in the Teams Pursuit alongside fellow Tasmanian Amy Cure. The pair also teamed up to claim Silver in the Madison. At the 2023 World Championships Georgia won two silver medals in the Madison and the Points Race.

Georgia at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games secured Gold medals in the Teams Pursuit, Points Race and the Road Race whilst also securing a World Championship Bronze Medal in the Mixed Team Relay.

Georgia blends her season between track and road, racing for pro cycling team Liv AlUla Jayco.

Multiple Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus has become the first person to win the Tasmanian Athlete of the Year for the fourth time.

On a huge day of Tasmanian sporting celebrations, the 24-year-old swimmer was honoured at a cocktail function at Princess Wharf in Hobart.

Following previous wins in 2019, 2020-21 and 2023, it was the first time Titmus had been able to accept the award in person.

The recognition came four months after the Launceston-born freestyle specialist, who moved to Queensland in 2015, won two gold and two silver medals at the Paris Olympics - adding to her haul of two golds, one silver and one bronze from the Tokyo Games.

Titmus made history in the French capital by becoming the first female Australian to defend an Olympic 400m title while also helping set an Olympic record in the 4x200m relay.

She was narrowly edged out by compatriot and St Peters Western clubmate Mollie O’Callaghan in the 200m before again finishing behind long-time American rival Katie Ledecky in the 800m.

In the 4x200m relay, Titmus recorded the fastest split of 1:52.95 as she teamed up with O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister and Brianna Throssell to win gold in 7:38.08 and break the Olympic record of 7:40.33 set by China at the previous Olympics.

Earlier in the year, Titmus had also broken the 200m freestyle world record at the Australian trials.

Jacob Birtwhistle splits his time between home in Tasmania, training camps in Europe and competing on the world triathlon stage. From a running background Jacob was crowned Australian junior champion 11 times over the middle-long distance events.

At the age of 17, Jacob began to transition from running into triathlon. Since then, Jacob topped the podium at several ITU races before a brilliant 2018 season saw him grab no fewer than five top-five finishes at the top level, including silver in Yokohama, and a memorable second place in the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

In 2019, the Australian recorded his first WTS victories after brilliant runs in Leeds and Hamburg twice saw him to the gold in thrilling finishes and ending the year sixth in the overall ranking.

Hailing from the Invermay Bowls & Community Club, Bec started competing in Lawn Bowls in 1998 and made her debut for Australia in 2011. Since then she has had 264 International appearances for Australia.

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Bec and her teammates Carla Krizanic and Natasha Scott achieved the rare distinction of being the only Australian lawn bowlers to ever win multiple Commonwealth Games Gold medals, winning the Triples and Fours titles.

Along with three World Titles, Bec stands in the record books having achieved the double/double of both World Championship and Commonwealth Games titles in the triples and fours.

Adding to her accolades, Bec was the first Tasmanian to win an Australian Indoor Bowls Championships in the event’s 30-year history, and in 2017 was named the joint winner of the Tasmanian Athlete of the Year Award.

Sarah first represented Australia at the 2005 Junior World Championships, finishing 5^th overall in the Women’s Double Scull. At the age of 29, in 2017, Sarah was selected into her first Senior Australian Rowing Team, the Women’s Four, with the crew not losing a race all season winning World Cups II and III as well as the World Championships.

2018, Sarah was once again selected in the Women’s Four crew which went on to win gold at World Cups II and III before taking home silver at the World Championships.

In 2019 Sarah won her second World Championship gold medal, again with the Women’s Four.

Sarah went on to make her Olympic Games debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games after being selected to row in the Women’s Eight. The crew went on to finish 5^th in the A-Final.

At the age of 23, Matt was involved in a snowboarding accident which left him a paraplegic. But the outdoor enthusiast’s passion for sport failed to diminish and, having already been sailing since 1993, he invested his time and determination into becoming the best sailor he could possibly be.

Based at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, the Derwent River in Hobart proved the perfect place for Matt to develop his sailing skills. Matt first debuted for Australia at a 2010 World Cup event in the Netherlands.

While Matt did not medal at his debut Paralympics in London 2012, he continued to train hard with the view of a podium finish at Rio 2016.

Amy is a two time World Champion, four time Junior World Champion, Commonwealth Games Medallist and Olympian.

Amy first started in the sport when she was 12 years old and with her continued passion and dedication over the years seeing her crowned as a four time Junior World Champion on the track.

Amy claimed her first elite World Championship title in 2012 in the points race. In the team pursuit in 2013, she won silver before claiming bronze in the 2014 event. She went on to secure a silver and bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the scratch race and individual pursuit.

Amy was a part of history at the 2015 World Championships when she lined up alongside Rio 2016 teammates Ashlee Ankudinoff, Annette Edmondson and Melissa Hoskins in the team pursuit. The quartet not only won gold but broke the world record.

Eddie has represented Australia in elite events across the world, having competed in four Olympic Games (one silver and two bronze medals), three World Cups (two gold and one bronze), four Commonwealth Games (four gold medals) and various other international events including the Pro League, World League Finals and Champions Trophy.

At the 2020 Olympic Games, Eddie and the Kookaburras came away with a Silver Medal after a penalty shootout loss to Belgium.

Growing up Richie excelled as a triathlete before switching his attention to cycling at the age of 21. Following two successful seasons racing at amateur level in Europe, Richie signed as a professional with Team Saxo-Bank in 2010.

In October 2010, Richie narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the Elite Men’s Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships.

Undoubtedly the highlight of Richie's career came in the 2020 Tour de France where in a remarkable display of endurance, he became only the second Australian ever to stand on the podium (Overall GC) in Paris.

Daniel Geale competed from 2004 to 2016. He held the unified WBA (Super) and IBF middleweight titles between 2011 and 2013, and the IBO middleweight title from 2007 to 2009.

As an amateur boxer, Geale won a welterweight gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Matthew Goss first competed in track cycling before making a transition to the road.

He won a gold medal at the 2006 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in the Team Pursuit event and came in second place at the 2011 World Championships Road race.

He also won the 2010 GP Ouest-France, the 2011 Milan–San Remo as well as 2 stages of the Giro d'Italia, among other victories.

Eddie has represented Australia in elite events across the world, having competed in four Olympic Games (one silver and two bronze medals), three World Cups (two gold and one bronze), four Commonwealth Games (four gold medals) and various other international events including the Pro League, World League Finals and Champions Trophy.

At the 2020 Olympic Games, Eddie and the Kookaburras came away with a Silver Medal after a penalty shootout loss to Belgium.

Amy is a two time World Champion, four time Junior World Champion, Commonwealth Games Medallist and Olympian.

Amy first started in the sport when she was 12 years old and with her continued passion and dedication over the years seeing her crowned as a four time Junior World Champion on the track.

Amy claimed her first elite World Championship title in 2012 in the points race. In the team pursuit in 2013, she won silver before claiming bronze in the 2014 event. She went on to secure a silver and bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the scratch race and individual pursuit.

Amy was a part of history at the 2015 World Championships when she lined up alongside Rio 2016 teammates Ashlee Ankudinoff, Annette Edmondson and Melissa Hoskins in the team pursuit. The quartet not only won gold but broke the world record.

At the junior world representative level Brennan won silver in the single scull at the 2001 Junior World Championship and became the first Australian to have won gold in the single scull at the 2003 U/23 World Championship. At the 2004 rowing World Cup he won gold in the quad scull. Along with his longtime rowing partner David Crawshay Brennan has won numerous national titles in all sculling classes at the Australian Rowing Championships.

Brennan's first Australian Olympic selection was for Athens 2004 when he rowed in the Australian quad scull who won their B final. With David Crawshay, Brennan won the gold medal in the men's double sculls at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. In March 2012 Brennan was selected to defend his Olympic title in the men's Double Scull with Beijing Crawshay at the 2012 Summer Olympics. After a promising start to the campaign with a silver medal in the Lucerne World Cup, Brennan suffered a back injury immediately prior to the games but raced regardless, finishing in second place in the B final for an overall eighth place in the 2012 Olympic rankings.

Ricky Ponting is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and is the most successful captain in international cricket history, with 220 victories in 324 matches.

He has made the third highest number of centuries in international cricket, behind Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. He holds the record for winning most ICC tournaments as a captain in Men's Cricket, including the 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cups, and 2006 and 2009 Champions Trophies.

He was also a member of the 1999 Cricket World Cup winning Australian team.

Hanny Allston won the 2006 Junior World Orienteering Championships for the long distance event. She won by a near-record margin of 4 minutes and 38 seconds.

She is the first Australian woman orienteer ever to win a gold medal at a World Championship level.

Kate Hornsey's first Australian Olympic selection was for Beijing 2008 when she rowed in the Australian women's eight who finished sixth.

In March 2012 she was selected in the coxless pair with Sarah Tait, the pair took the silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Matthew Wells OAM is a field hockey defender from Australia, who was a member of the team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens by beating title holders The Netherlands in the final.

Four years earlier, when Sydney hosted the Summer Games, he finished in third spot with The Kookaburras, as the Men's National Team is called. He had to miss the 2006 Men's Hockey World Cup due to injury.

Dana Faletic made her international representative debut in 1995, at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Groningen, The Netherlands as Australia's single sculls entrant. She placed sixth. That same year she raced the single scull at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Poznan, Poland. At the 1995 U23 World Championships in Hazewinkel, she rowed in the double scull with Anna Tree from South Australia and they finished fifth.

Faletic didn't represent for Australia at the senior level until 2001 when she was selected in a double scull with Monique Heinke. They raced at that year's World Rowing Cup IV in Munich and then went to the 2001 World Rowing Championships in Lucerne where they finished eighth.

In 2002 Faletic broke into the Australian women's quad scull with Donna Martin, Sally Robbins and Amber Bradley. They raced at the 2002 World Rowing Cup III in Munich and then went to Seville 2002. They were slow in their heat but won the repechage to make the final and finished fourth overall.

The 2003 World Rowing Championships were the main Olympic qualification regatta and the Australian women scullers trained in Canberra under Lyall McCarthy. Faletic and Bradley held their seats in the quad with the experienced Jane Robinson and the young Tasmanian Kerry Hore added to the crew. The quad performed well in the lead up winning at the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne. At the 2003 World Championships in Milan they won their heat in an impressive time. They sculled the final to perfection leading at every mark. At the 1500m they had an unbeatable 3.45 second margin and finished more than 2 seconds ahead of Bulgaria. The quad won the gold and Faletic in the two seat claimed her sole World Championship title.

The World Champion quad with Jane Robinson replaced by Rebecca Sattin were still together for the 2004 Athen Olympics. They were fourth across the line in the final. After the medals had been presented it was discovered that a member of the third-placed Ukrainian crew failed the drugs test and Australia was elevated to the bronze medal position and Dana won her only Olympic medal.

Dana raced at the 2006 World Rowing Cupp II at Poznan in both a double scull (who took silver) and the quad. She was picked in the quad to compete at the 2006 World Rowing Championships with Sonia Mills, Catriona Sens-Oliver and Sally Kehoe. They won the silver and Faletic had her third World Championship medal.

Dana gave the sport away in 2006 but made a comeback in 2011 aged 34 and remarkably made the 2012 Australian Olympic Team. She was selected again to the quad to row with Hore, Pauline Frasca and Amy Clay. The crew finished second in their heat and won the repechage to make the final. They were sitting fourth at each 500m mark and the finish line, coming in just behind the USA crew who claimed bronze, with Ukraine winning gold and Germany claiming silver.

Kerry Hore won gold and the world title at the 2003 World Rowing Championships in Milan rowing in a quad scull with Jane Robinson, Dana Faletic and Amber Bradley. At the 2004 Athens Olympics with Faletic, Bradley and Rebecca Sattin, Hore won the bronze medal in the women's quad.

At Beijing 2008 and London 2012, Hore was in women's quads who progressed through to finals. They finished in sixth place in 2008 and fourth in 2012.

Hore teamed with Kim Crow to win silver medals in the women's double scull at the 2010 and 2011 World Rowing Championships. At the 2010 World Rowing Championships in Lake Karapiro she also raced in the Australian quad scull to a fourth placing.

In Rio 2016 Hore was selected in a crew with Jennifer Cleary, Jessica Hall and Madeleine Edmunds to row the Australian women's quad scull. They finished outside the places in their heat of the Olympic regatta and were eliminated in the repechage. Hore nonetheless became the first Australian female rower to compete at four Olympic Games.

Mark Jamieson started competing at the age of 10 in 1994, he first represented his country in the World Junior Track Championships in 2001.

Mark had a successful track career, including a world championship in the team pursuit in 2006, and fourth in the Beijing Olympics as a member of the Australian Team Pursuit Squad.

Matthew Wells OAM was a member of the team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens by beating title holders The Netherlands in the final.

Four years earlier, when Sydney hosted the Summer Games, he finished in third spot with The Kookaburras, as the Men's National Team is called.

Simon Burgess was first selected to represent Australia in his "home" world championships at Lake Barrington 1990 to a bronze medal. The following year at Vienna 1991 won gold and a World Championship title.

At the 1992 lightweight World Championships Burgess raced the lightweight single scull championship for a fifth place.

Roudnice 1993 and Indianapolis 1994 Burgess was back in the Australian lightweight quad scull and he stroked both those crews to a seventh place in 1993 and fifth place in 1994.

Atlanta 1996 saw lightweight events introduced to the Olympic regatta for the first time. Burgess was selected with his longstanding sculling partner Gary Lynagh in the lightweight coxless four along with Haimish Karrasch and David Belcher. They made the Olympic final and placed sixth.

For Aiguebelette 1997 he was picked in the six seat of the Australian lightweight eight who won gold, earning Burgess his second World Championship title. For Cologne 1998 and then at St Catharine's 1999 Burgess rowed in the Australian coxless four. The same four took bronze in 1998 and silver, with Burgess at stroke in 1999.

For Sydney 2000 Burgess was again selected in the lightweight coxless four. The event showcased two match races between the Australians and the French crew. They met in a semi-final where the Australians pipped the French by 3/100ths of a second. In the final the Australians led for much of the race. The French tried once to break through and failed, then a second time and failed and finally with a matter of metres to go broke through to win by less than half a second.

Burgess' final World Championship appearances were in the build up to the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was again selected in the coxless four who competed at Seville 2002 (4th place) and Milan 2003 (7th place).

At Athens 2004 Burgess made his third and final Olympic appearance in the Australian lightweight coxless four, this time as stroke. Anthony Edwards in the two seat was also at his third Olympics and both were still looking for their first Olympic gold medal. The Danish crew however were favourites and they got away in the 1st 500m. Burgess brought the Australian crew back into contention in the second and third 500 metres. However the Danes still had something in reserve in the rush home extending their lead to 1.4 seconds at the finish.

Darren Balmforth first represented Australia in the lightweight double scull at the 1994 World Rowing U23 Championships in Paris. He placed second. That same year he was selected in the Australian senior lightweight squad and seated at three in the lightweight eight who raced at the 1994 World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis. That crew finished in tenth place.

It was 1997 before he was again seated in the eight at a World Championship. At Aiguebelette 1997 the Australians won a thrilling final by 0.03 seconds with only 1.5 lengths separating the field. Balmforth won his first and only World Championship title. For Cologne 1998 and then at St Catharine's 1999 Balmforth rowed in the Australian coxless four with Anthony Edwards, Bob Richards and the Tasmanian champion Simon Burgess. That four took bronze in 1998 and silver in 1999.

That same lightweight coxless four stayed together for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The event showcased two match races between the Australians and the French crew. They met in a semi-final where the Australians (with Burgess in the three seat) pipped the French by 3/100ths of a second. In the final the Australians led for much of the race. The French tried once to break through and failed, then a second time and failed and finally with a matter of metres to go broke through to win by less than half a second. Both races were a superb highlight of the regatta and won Balmforth Olympic silver in his last Australian representative appearance.

Simon Burgess was first selected to represent Australia in his "home" world championships at Lake Barrington 1990 to a bronze medal. The following year at Vienna 1991 won gold and a World Championship title.

At the 1992 lightweight World Championships Burgess raced the lightweight single scull championship for a fifth place.

Roudnice 1993 and Indianapolis 1994 Burgess was back in the Australian lightweight quad scull and he stroked both those crews to a seventh place in 1993 and fifth place in 1994.

Atlanta 1996 saw lightweight events introduced to the Olympic regatta for the first time. Burgess was selected with his longstanding sculling partner Gary Lynagh in the lightweight coxless four along with Haimish Karrasch and David Belcher. They made the Olympic final and placed sixth.

For Aiguebelette 1997 he was picked in the six seat of the Australian lightweight eight who won gold, earning Burgess his second World Championship title. For Cologne 1998 and then at St Catharine's 1999 Burgess rowed in the Australian coxless four. The same four took bronze in 1998 and silver, with Burgess at stroke in 1999.

For Sydney 2000 Burgess was again selected in the lightweight coxless four. The event showcased two match races between the Australians and the French crew. They met in a semi-final where the Australians pipped the French by 3/100ths of a second. In the final the Australians led for much of the race. The French tried once to break through and failed, then a second time and failed and finally with a matter of metres to go broke through to win by less than half a second.

Burgess' final World Championship appearances were in the build up to the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was again selected in the coxless four who competed at Seville 2002 (4th place) and Milan 2003 (7th place).

At Athens 2004 Burgess made his third and final Olympic appearance in the Australian lightweight coxless four, this time as stroke. Anthony Edwards in the two seat was also at his third Olympics and both were still looking for their first Olympic gold medal. The Danish crew however were favourites and they got away in the 1st 500m. Burgess brought the Australian crew back into contention in the second and third 500 metres. However the Danes still had something in reserve in the rush home extending their lead to 1.4 seconds at the finish.

Darren Balmforth first represented Australia in the lightweight double scull at the 1994 World Rowing U23 Championships in Paris. He placed second. That same year he was selected in the Australian senior lightweight squad and seated at three in the lightweight eight who raced at the 1994 World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis. That crew finished in tenth place.

It was 1997 before he was again seated in the eight at a World Championship. At Aiguebelette 1997 the Australians won a thrilling final by 0.03 seconds with only 1.5 lengths separating the field. Balmforth won his first and only World Championship title. For Cologne 1998 and then at St Catharine's 1999 Balmforth rowed in the Australian coxless four with Anthony Edwards, Bob Richards and the Tasmanian champion Simon Burgess. That four took bronze in 1998 and silver in 1999.

That same lightweight coxless four stayed together for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The event showcased two match races between the Australians and the French crew. They met in a semi-final where the Australians (with Burgess in the three seat) pipped the French by 3/100ths of a second. In the final the Australians led for much of the race. The French tried once to break through and failed, then a second time and failed and finally with a matter of metres to go broke through to win by less than half a second. Both races were a superb highlight of the regatta and won Balmforth Olympic silver in his last Australian representative appearance.

Bianca Langham was first selected for the Australian national women's team, the Hockeyroos, in November 1994. She was a member of the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Training Squads, but did not make the final team.

In 1998, she won gold at both the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

Simon Burgess was first selected to represent Australia in his "home" world championships at Lake Barrington 1990 to a bronze medal. The following year at Vienna 1991 won gold and a World Championship title.

At the 1992 lightweight World Championships Burgess raced the lightweight single scull championship for a fifth place.

Roudnice 1993 and Indianapolis 1994 Burgess was back in the Australian lightweight quad scull and he stroked both those crews to a seventh place in 1993 and fifth place in 1994.

Atlanta 1996 saw lightweight events introduced to the Olympic regatta for the first time. Burgess was selected with his longstanding sculling partner Gary Lynagh in the lightweight coxless four along with Haimish Karrasch and David Belcher. They made the Olympic final and placed sixth.

For Aiguebelette 1997 he was picked in the six seat of the Australian lightweight eight who won gold, earning Burgess his second World Championship title. For Cologne 1998 and then at St Catharine's 1999 Burgess rowed in the Australian coxless four. The same four took bronze in 1998 and silver, with Burgess at stroke in 1999.

For Sydney 2000 Burgess was again selected in the lightweight coxless four. The event showcased two match races between the Australians and the French crew. They met in a semi-final where the Australians pipped the French by 3/100ths of a second. In the final the Australians led for much of the race. The French tried once to break through and failed, then a second time and failed and finally with a matter of metres to go broke through to win by less than half a second.

Burgess' final World Championship appearances were in the build up to the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was again selected in the coxless four who competed at Seville 2002 (4th place) and Milan 2003 (7th place).

At Athens 2004 Burgess made his third and final Olympic appearance in the Australian lightweight coxless four, this time as stroke. Anthony Edwards in the two seat was also at his third Olympics and both were still looking for their first Olympic gold medal. The Danish crew however were favourites and they got away in the 1st 500m. Burgess brought the Australian crew back into contention in the second and third 500 metres. However the Danes still had something in reserve in the rush home extending their lead to 1.4 seconds at the finish.

Daniel Sproule is a former field hockey defender from Australia, who was a member of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Four years earlier, when Atlanta, Georgia hosted the Games, he won his first bronze medal at the Olympics.

Sproule has been a regular member of The Kookaburras team since missing the 1994 Hockey World Cup in Sydney. He won the gold medal with Australia at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and did the same a year later at the 1999 Champions Trophy held in Brisbane.

• 1995 World Dragon Championship, WA (1st)
• 1997 World Sailing Championships, Denmark (1st)
• 1996 O’Neill Champions Trophy, Battle of Amsterdam (1st)
• 1996 Seawanhaka International Challenge Cup, New York (2nd)
• 1999 Seawanhaka Cup World Match Racing Championships (1st)