The Wooden Boat Association recognises the efforts of members in a number of ways, some serious and some light-hearted.
Below is our digital honour board.
Honours and Awards
Life Members
Life Members
- David Bamford
- Greg Blunt
- Tim Gay
- Graham Signorini
- Tom Whitfield
Life Members remembered
- Steve Burnham
- Alan Chinn
- Bob Emsell
- Graham Holmes
- Colin Hunt
- Roland Johnson
- Derek Williams
Past Presidents
Past Presidents
- Richard Munt 1989
- David Bamford 1989-1991
- Alan Chinn 1992-1994
- Jeff Ings 1994-1997
- Doug Thomson 1997-1998
- Geoff Bryar 1999-2000
- David Bamford 2000-2002
- Geoff Carroll 2002-2005
- David Stott 2005-2008
- Andrew Cohen 2008-2011
- Geoff Carroll 2011-2013
- Chris Kelly 2013-2016
- Andrew Campbell 2016-2019
- Chris Kelly 2019-2022
- Ethan Urch 2022-2023
- Peter Batchelor 2023-2026
Outstanding Contribution
Outstanding Contribution
- Richard Munt
- John and Jacqui Nicholson
- Bernard and Maureen O’Kelly
- Lawrence and Maureen Marshall
- David and Jenny Stott
- Peter Batchelor
Alan Chinn Award
Alan Chinn Award
The Alan Chinn Award for excellence in boatbuilding was established in 2018 in honour of founding member, long term committee member and highly skilled boatbuilder, Alan Chinn. The aim of the award is to promote the skills of boat building and restoration and to recognize the work of our members in their boat building activities.
- 2019. Russ Hurren. Maude.
- 2021. Tim Drinkall, Bill Jones. Comet.
- 2023. Peter Batchelor. Pitthirrit.
- 2025. Stephen Parker. Snug.
The Bell Award
The Bell Award
Originally the Briggs Marine Perpetual Trophy for the best presented wooden boat at the Wooden Boat Festival, the award was changed to a recognition of members who have made a significant contribution to the WBA.
- 1994. J Bryar, Tjurunga (best presented wooden boat at the Wooden Boat Festival)
- 1997. Colin Hunt
- 1998. Geoff Bryar
- 1999. David Bamford
- 2001. Louis Vorstermanns
- 2002. Alan Chinn
- 2003. Steve Burnham and Derek Williams
- 2004. Geoff Carroll
- 2005. Graham Signorini and Frank Raisin
- 2006 - 2008. David and Jenny Stott
- 2007- 2009. Peter, Kirsty, Amelia and William Batchelor
- 2010 - 2011. Chris Kelly
- 2011 - 2012. Graham Signorini
- 2013 - 2014. Greg Blunt and Leigh McNolty
- 2014 - 2015. Peter Batchelor
- 2015 - 2016. Penny Braybrook
- 2017 - 2018. Penny Braybrook
- 2018 - 2021. Leigh McNolty
- 2019. David O’Dempsey
- 2023. Sharon Drinkall
- 2023 - 2024. Nick Atkins
- 2024 - 2025. Gary Hardy
Broken Oar Award
Broken Oar Award
- 2010. Rob Ripley. Nagambie.
- 2011. Andrew Cohen. Albury Wodonga.
- 2012. Jim Stockton.
- 2013. Rob Ripley.
- 2014. David Ayres.
- 2015. Andrew Campbell.
- 2016. David Stott. Mitchell River.
- 2017. Jim Stockton. Nagambie.
- 2018. Chris McDonald. Moama.
- 2019. Brian Flewel-Smith. Paynesville.
- 2021. Gary Hardy. Mallacoota.
- 2023. Stuart Pigdon. Lake Eppalock.