The Australian triathlon community came together on Saturday for the 2025 AusTriathlon Annual Awards on the Gold Coast.
A celebration of an extraordinary year for the sport, the event recognised the athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials, clubs and people whose efforts helped make 2025 one of the most successful seasons in Australian triathlon history. The program opened with acknowledgements of the strength, passion and unity of the community from AusTriathlon CEO Tim Harradine and President, Paul Stevens.
“Each year, the Awards remind us that sport is built on more than results, it’s built on people. From grassroots volunteers to world-class athletes and event organisers, every recipient today reflects what makes our sport so special.” said Harradine.
The ceremony proudly recognised Australia’s 2025 World Champions across Elite, U23, Para and Mixed Relay, who collectively delivered five world titles across Wollongong and Hamburg this year. The nation’s Age Group strength was also showcased, with an unprecedented 71 Australian Age Group World Champions honoured for titles won across the Multisport World Championships and the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong.
Across the wider awards program, remarkable achievements at every level of the sport were celebrated, from club-led participation initiatives to exceptional technical officiating, transformative coaching, and former athletes recognised. Including a special tribute to iconic sports photographer Delly Carr, for his 38 years capturing the defining images of the sport.
Emotional highlights included the Service to Sport recognitions for Dr June Canavan (vale) for her unwavering commitment and dedication to the sport, including a long tenure as Australian Team Doctor. Melinda Farr was recognised for her service not only at a club level but the years of technical officiating all over the world, ensuring our sport continues to be both fair and safe.
New awards were included in this year’s proceedings including recognition for outstanding events delivered across the country, including the Devonport Triathlon, Hell of the West, and the Noosa Triathlon Festival.
The President’s Award was presented to Alex Fehon, acknowledging her significant leadership and contribution in stewarding Australia’s Age Group Program and fostering its continued growth and success, recognised around the world as ‘world-class’ when it comes to team management. Col Stewart (vale) was officially awarded life membership for his contribution to the sport through his passion for coaching with son, Miles Stewart, in attendance to formally receive this recognition.
The event concluded with Erin Densham’s induction as the 21st member of the AusTriathlon Hall of Fame. Recognised for her long career at the pinnacle of our sport, representing Australia at three Olympic campaigns, highlighted with a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
‘I’m honoured to receive this award; to be added to the list of 20 inductees before me is surreal, it made me really stop and reflect on my career, something I haven’t done in a long time,” Densham said.
As AusTriathlon looks toward LA28 and Brisbane 2032, the ceremony reinforced the collective strength, passion and ambition of Australia’s triathlon community.
2025 Award Winners
High Performance Awards
- Elite World Champion: Matt Hauser
- U23 World Champion: Richelle Hill
- PTS2 Para World Champion: Anu Francis
- PTWC Para World Champion: Lauren Parker
- Mixed Relay World Champions: Emma Jeffcoat / Sophie Linn / Luke Willian / Matt Hauser
- Chris Hewitt Emerging Athlete Award: Richelle Hill
- Male Performance of the Year: Matt Hauser
- Female Performance of the Year: Richelle Hill
- Para Triathlon Performance of the Year – Male: Jack Howell
- Para Triathlon Performance of the Year – Female: Lauren Parker
- Athlete’s Athlete Award: Matt Hauser
Coaching Awards
- Age Group Coach of the Year: Teresa Theacker
- Pathway Coach of the Year: Rina Hill
- Elite Coach of the Year: Dan Atkins
Clubs, Community & Technical Awards
- Club Initiative of the Year* (Joint Winners):
- Flow Endurance (SA)
- SSG Multisport (QLD)
- Volunteer of the Year*: Peter Barrett (TAS)
- Rob George Award: David Loader
- John Ison Award: Peter Aldridge
Event Awards
- Event of the Year – Under 500*: Devonport Triathlon
- Event of the Year – 500–1000*: Hell of the West
- Event of the Year – 1000+*: Noosa Triathlon Festival
Service & Lifetime Honours
- Service to Sport Award:
- Dr June Canavan (vale)
- Melinda Farr
- Legend of the Sport – Elite: Simon Thompson
- Legend of the Sport – Age Group:
- Chris Southwell
- Turia Pitt
- President’s Award: Alex Fehon
- Life Member: Col Stewart (vale)
- Hall of Fame Inductee: Erin Densham
*Denotes new award for 2025.
