Everyone loves competing, winning medals and being involved in a sporting event, but without the amazing people behind the scenes these sporting events, tournaments and pennants would not be possible.

Table Tennis Victoria’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ are our volunteers, coaches, parents and anyone who goes above and beyond to help make table tennis a great sport and deserves a bit of extra recognition for their brilliant work.

We recently had a chat to Sunraysia Table Tennis Association stalwart, Gavin Carmichael. Growing up in Ouyen in North West Victoria, he remembers always having a table tennis table at home, one that sat atop the pool table. Surprisingly, the table purchased by his parents in 1968 still sits in his shed today, although we are not too sure it would be up to match standard!

“Our mother was a very good player in the local ladies’ competition, and in Ouyen in the late 60’s there was a strong ladies and men’s competition played on separate evenings at a local hall,” said Gavin.

“Given our mother’s love for the game, as a child I always playing at home against mum along with my three younger brothers and sister where the competition was fierce. I commenced in the local men’s competition at age ten. Ouyen had some excellent players at the time.”

Gavin went on to play in the Ouyen men’s competition until he was 18, and moved to Healesville for work in 1977. It was his early involvement at Ouyen that Gavin sees as laying the foundation for his passion for table tennis, along with the influence of his mother who loved the sport and always encouraged her kids and grandkids to get involved. This encouragement is something Gavin himself has always provided too when speaking to others

“Table Tennis can be such a family orientated sport with parents and children involved, as is the case with our association. I have been involved with our juniors from when we commenced the junior pennant in 1992, and it has been very exciting to see the development of the youngsters advancing to the senior grades,” he said.

“When I arrived in Mildura the average age in A grade was pretty high, but now we have many young players showing the way. I can testify to that as it is getting harder and harder to win a match these days.”

Following the move to Healesville for work, Gavin was not able to continue playing regularly.

“Unfortunately, there was no table tennis there and I probably missed my “best” years not playing seriously from age 19 to around 25 years of age,” he recalls.

“When living and working in Healesville in the early 80’s, I briefly joined a competition in Croydon and in one of the matches I played I recall having to go into a school, moving some desks and putting up a table tennis table to play our match.

“After only a couple of weeks playing, I was transferred to Alexandra and again there was no competition there. In 1984, I then was transferred to Rochester and played for two seasons there where there were several very good players. In 1986, I was once again transferred in my employment to Mildura where I have played in pennant ever since.”

Coming to Mildura in 1986, Gavin joined the Sunraysia Table Tennis Association and the rest is history.

“I was the President for some time – currently, I’m the Secretary and have been for 20 plus years. I have been involved on the grading committee and as one of the Junior Coordinators along with other duties. Involvement with the juniors is a very satisfying area particularly when these players advance to the Senior pennants” he said.

Being such an integral part of the club for so many years, Gavin is keen to see the younger generation get involved in and around the club.

“As our committee is aging, it is important to entice current younger players to become involved  initially on a small scale with small tasks, with a view to encourage them to become part of the committee and mentor them to take over bigger roles  -  a sport needs a committee to survive and continue,” said Gavin.

“It’s not just about turning up and playing. Even though our association may be small, there is so much work carried out behind the scenes to get a season up and running.”

Over the years, Gavin has built up his fair share of memories in Mildura and throughout the table tennis scene. One of his first great experiences came during preparation for the Sydney Olympics when the Sunraysia hosted the German, Swedish and Belarus teams who came to Mildura to train before the Games.

“It was an amazing experience as we had many fine players including Jan-Ove Waldner, a true great of the sport. Other number one players we hosted were Vladimir Samsonov and Timo Boll, who was a teenager at the time,” recalled Gavin.

“Table Tennis featured on the front page of the local press for several days and an open training session was attended by hundreds of locals. Whilst a busy time for our volunteers, this was an outstanding time for table tennis enthusiasts in Mildura.

“Our association owed a great deal of gratitude to Julie Jewell of the local Mildura Rural City Council who negotiated the visit of the Olympians and our volunteers then went to work hosting these great athletes.”

Gavin believes one of the greatest things to happen to the club has been the connection forged with Bruce Carter, someone the majority of table tennis players in Victoria and beyond would know who has previously been profiled in this series.

“He and his wife Kay have been amazing for our association, developing many of our junior players including Joel Thomas, Dillon Chambers, Matt Avers and Kate Carmichael who all went on to represent Victoria, with some going on to higher honours,” he said.

“I’m sure all these players would join me in thanking Bruce and Kay for their time and hospitality as on more than one occasion we had several players make the long journey to Melbourne to play in tournaments - and of course Bruce would insist we stay at his house which made for some great times.”

“Bruce’s only downfall in my eyes is that he is a Bomber’s fan.”

“Our association and the standard of play has improved markedly since this Carter connection was established. Several years ago, we were fortunate to have Bruce and sons Trent and Craig put on a display at the local Target shopping complex along with the Australian champion at the time, William Henzell. A great thrill for our small association.”  

While Gavin gives much of the credit to others for the great club environment at Sunraysia, we are positive everyone would agree he is just as important to the Association as anyone in their history, and his love for the STTA really shines through in the way he talks about the members and community as a whole.

“The Sunraysia Table Tennis Association is fortunate to have several people involved for many years on our committee. Our current President, Mark Dorman, has filled all of the major positions on the committee and has been a committee member since he was fifteen and now, like me is on the wrong side of sixty. A fantastic effort,” said Gavin.

“My sister-in-law, Chris Carmichael, has been our treasurer for the past 26 years and her assistant during that time has been her husband Wayne.”

“Denise Henderson commenced playing in the STTA 23 years ago and straight away volunteered to help out on the committee. Denise was the first female to play in a premiership in Pennant One and now many years later, despite not being able to play due to health reasons, is at the door collecting ball fees throughout the year for both our senior and junior competitions. She sources chocolates and drinks to sell at our stadium and is always on hand to mentor and umpire the juniors.”

“My wife, Colleen Carmichael, has been a huge support working behind the scenes for over 30 years preparing team sheets, score sheets, aggregates, ladders and more. When our four children were playing, she would also assist with umpiring of the juniors and even had a stint as Vice President of the STTA.”

The Sunraysia Table Tennis Association certainly have a brilliant community of dedicated players and volunteers that make everything possible. We hope the next generation can follow in Gavin’s, and the rest of the committee and volunteers’, footsteps.

If you or your club have someone who you believe would make a great TTV Unsung Hero, please email Jason at mmo@tabletennisvic.org.au.