Parramatta’s Test forward Nathan Hindmarsh has tonight received one of the game’s highest honours – the Telstra Ken Stephen Medal for community service.

The veteran forward sidestepped a shoulder operation to attend tonight’s third annual One Community Awards ceremony, sharing the stage with local community champions from across Australia as NRL stars and grass-roots heroes came together to celebrate Rugby League’s off-field achievements at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

Joining more than 250 guests at tonight’s gala ceremony, Hindmarsh was honoured alongside local heroes such as Toyota National Volunteer of the Year Darryl Kelly, from Wagga Wagga, Harvey Norman Women In League achievement award winners Petrece Kesha (New Zealand Warriors) and Helen Adams (Bribie Island RL) and AAMI Service to the Community award winners the Normanton Stingers, whose inspirational ‘Domestic Violence – It’s Not Our Game’ program has produced a 55% drop in domestic violence in the region.

The Gold Coast Titans received the Telstra One Community NRL Club of the Year award while the Junee Diesels received the Telstra One Community Grass-roots Club of the Year award.

Hindmarsh’s outstanding service to the game both on and off the field, his dedication to community programs such as Can Assist, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Hope Rwanda, The Nathan Hindmarsh Cup and his ongoing work with numerous One Community programs secured him the 2009 Ken Stephen Medal.

“It’s very humbling to receive this award when you look around the room and see some of the people here who have done some amazing work in their local communities,” Hindmarsh said.

“The players here tonight are involved in all sorts of community work, we know how much it means to people, but we do it because we love it and it means a lot to us to be able to help out where we can.”

The Gold Coast Titans were awarded the Telstra One Community NRL Club of the Year for providing $1million worth of funding over four years to volunteer-based Rugby League associations throughout the club’s Gold Coast catchment area, as well as for their support of Youthlinx, YHES House and Mother’s Milk brand through The Gold Coast Titans Community Foundation.

First presented in 1988 to honour the long-time secretary of the NSWRL, the late Ken Stephen, Medal winners have included some of the greats of the game, including Wayne Pearce, Peter Sterling, Paul Harragon, Mark Coyne, Andrew Ettingshausen, David Peachey and 2008 winner Preston Campbell.

“These awards recognise the important role Rugby League plays in communities across Australia,” said NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop.

“Congratulations to Nathan and all our award winners and finalists here tonight, and thank you to all those people in the Rugby League community who devote themselves to helping others enjoy the game.”


The One Community Awards winners for 2009 are:

The Telstra Ken Stephen Medal
Telstra will give $5000 to the winner and $5000 to their favourite charity.

Winner: Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)

Finalists: Nick Kenny (Brisbane Broncos);  Jamie Simpson (South Sydney Rabbitohs); Andrew Ryan (Canterbury Bulldogs); Wendell Sailor (St George Illawarra Dragons); Ben Rogers (Newcastle Knights); Matt Bowen (North Queensland Cowboys); Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers); Justin Carney (Canberra Raiders); Luke Douglas (Cronulla Sharks); Preston Campbell (Gold Coast Titans); George Rose (Manly Sea Eagles); Brett White (Melbourne Storm); Anthony Minichiello (Sydney City Roosters); Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors); Corey Payne (Wests Tigers).

Telstra One Community NRL Club of the Year
Telstra will provide $10,000 toward the winning club’s community program

Winners: Gold Coast Titans

Other finalists: Dragons, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Eels, Knights and Warriors.

Telstra One Community Grassroots Club of the Year
Telstra will provide two Telstra Assistance Packs valued at $3000 plus $2000.

Winners: Junee Diesels Junior Rugby League Club

Other finalists: Leeton JRLC (NSW), Thirroul JRLC

AAMI Service to the Community Award
AAMI will provide $5000 for their community program.

Winners: Normanton Stingers

Other finalists: Baradine Magpies RLFC (NSW), Lower Clarence Magpies RLC (NSW)

AAMI Service to Refereeing Award
AAMI will give $2500 to the winning referee.

Winner: Julie Hanson (Canberra District Rugby League Referees Association)

Other finalists: Bill Curnoe (Central Cost Division RLRA); Ross Bennett (Gold Coast RLRA)

Harvey Norman Women in League Achievement Award – Paid
Harvey Norman will provide a $5000 Harvey Norman gift voucher.

Winner: Petrece Kesha (Warriors)

Other finalists: Jackie Edwards (NTRL); Ange Rossi (Bulldogs);

Harvey Norman Women In League Achievement Award – Volunteer
Harvey Norman will provide a $5000 Harvey Norman gift voucher.

Winner: Helen Adams

Other finalists: Barbara Pfeiffer (Canberra RLFC); Debbie May (Country Rugby League).

Toyota National Volunteer of the Year
Toyota will provide $5000 to the winner and $5000 to their club.

Winner: Darryl Kelly (Wagga Rugby League)

Finalists: Russell Magennis (Penrith JRL); Kelly Carter (Mid West QLD Rugby League); Julie Saville (Country Rugby League); Ashley Lindsay (Yamba, QLD); Neil Barry (Denman Sandy Hollow JRLFC); Sue Hartley 9Illawarra JRL); Peter Hadfield (Cronulla JRL); Allen Johannessen (Wondai JRL); Owen Lingard (Roma RL); Lynde Herson (Redlands RLC); John Diamond (Rockhampton and Central Division RL); Craig Maudsley (Ipswich JRL)

ARL Development National Teacher of the Year Primary Award

Winner: Carlyn Bladen (Queanbeyan West Primary School)

ARL Development National Teacher of the Year Secondary Award

Winner: Travis McIntosh (Hallan Senior College)

Ken Stephen Memorial Award Roll of Honour

1988      Wayne Pearce (Balmain)

1989      Ricky Walford (St George)

1990      Michael Bolt (Illawarra)

1991      Pat Jarvis (Norths)

1992      Peter Sterling (Parramatta)

1993      Michael Andrews (Souths)

1994      Ian Roberts (Manly)

1995      Rod Wishart (Illawarra)

1996      Not awarded

1997      Paul Harragon (Newcastle)

1998      Mark Coyne (St George)

1999      Andrew Ettingshausen (Cronulla)

2000      Nathan Blacklock (St George)

2001      Parramatta club

2002      Hazem El Masri (Bulldogs)

2003      David Peachey (Cronulla)  

2004      Dean Widders (Parramatta)

2005      Jason Stevens (Cronulla)

2006      Michael Monaghan (Manly)

2007      Ruben Wiki (Warriors)

2008      Preston Campbell (Gold Coast)

2009      Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta)