Local Equestrian Legend, Colleen Brook, Honoured

With a dedication to equestrian sports which has spanned decades, Colleen Brook, is set to receive the prestigious Distinguished Long Service Award at the upcoming NSW Community Sports Awards, presented by Sport NSW, on Wednesday, June 19.

With a passion for horses that ignited in her youth, Brook who resides in Wilbeforce, embarked on a journey that would see her become a pillar of the equestrian community. Starting as a Junior Instructor in the late 1960s, her talent and commitment propelled her into the spotlight, drawing demand for her coaching as her own competitive career flourished.

However, it was not just her success in the arena that caught the attention of many. In the mid-1980s, Equestrian Australia recognised her potential and enlisted Swedish Army Major Tor Burman to develop a coaching system for the country. Brook was among the first cohort to undergo accreditation, marking the beginning of her influential role as a Coach Educator.

Traveling far and wide across the nation, Brook dedicated herself to coach training, imparting her wisdom and expertise to aspiring equestrians of all ages and skill levels. Today, she coaches at Level 3 in various disciplines including General, Showjumping, and Eventing.

Sport NSW Chairperson Chris Hall commended Brook on her award, stating, “Volunteers such as Colleen are the backbone of grassroots and community sport, and it is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognized and honored. We thank them for their years of selfless dedication, which has enabled generations of boys and girls, men and women to participate in sport and enjoy the life skills, social benefits, and community spirit that it provides.

 “Sport has the unique unifying ability to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together. At the centre are the army of volunteers who each week dedicate themselves to ensure the games are played, the fields are marked, the canteen is stocked, and the bar-be-que is sizzling.

“Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers,” Hall said.

The Awards presentation evening also celebrates volunteers across 12 categories for their outstanding achievements and excellence over the past year. The categories are Community Official of the Year, Young Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year, Community Sports Administrator of the Year, Volunteer Director of the Year, Community Team of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Inclusion Achievement of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Innovation of the Year and Local Council of the Year.

Colleen Brook from Wilberforce will receive a Distinguished Long Service Award at the NSW Community Sports Awards, presented by Sport NSW, on Wednesday, June 19.

The Awards night, conducted at CommBank Stadium, recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

Brook is one of 21 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports to receive their Award from NSW Sports Minister, the Hon. Steve Kamper.

Brook is honoured for her decades of dedicated and unselfish service to Equestrian.

Brook started teaching as a Junior Instructor in the late 1960’s. As her competition career became more successful, there was more demand for teaching.

In the mid 1980’s, Equestrian Australia hired Swedish Army Major Tor Burman to create a coaching system for Australia.

Brook was in the first group to be accredited. As a Coach Educator, Brook attended assessment days all over the country, and still helps every week with coach training. She coaches A Level 3, General, Showjumping, Eventing, and Coach Educator.

Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall congratulated Brook on her Award. 

“Volunteers such as Colleen are the backbone of grassroots and community sport and it is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured,” said Mr Hall.

“We thank them for their years of selfless dedication which has enabled generations of boys and girls, men and women to participate in sport and enjoy the life skills, social benefits and community spirit that it provides,” he said.

“Sport has the unique unifying ability to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together. At the centre are the army of volunteers who each week dedicate themselves to ensure the games are played, the fields are marked, the canteen is stocked, and the bar-be-que is sizzling.

“Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers,” said Mr Hall.

The Awards presentation evening also celebrates volunteers across 12 categories for their outstanding achievements and excellence to over the past year. The categories are Community Official of the Year, Young Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year, Community Sports Administrator of the Year, Volunteer Director of the Year, Community Team of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Inclusion Achievement of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Innovation of the Year and Local Council of the Year.

Colleen aboard Talkind in Stockholm, 1990