Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Val Barrass

Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (12:53): I was incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Val Barrass, who passed away on 17 March aged 93. Val was a special friend to me and an outstanding and much-loved member of our community. Val was well known across the region, particularly for her love and support of local sport and for her years of dedication and service to the Shepparton Netball Association, their players and families.

Val’s netball journey began when she was 12 years of age, and she was still volunteering at the age of 92. In 1958 Val was honoured with life membership of the Shepparton Netball Association. Val received a Netball Victoria distinction award in 2001, a City of Greater Shepparton sports award in 2002 and in 2019 was named volunteer of the year in Netball Victoria’s community awards. In 2023 the Shepparton Netball Association honoured Val for her incredible 80 years of dedication as a player, volunteer, umpire and committee member. It was a joy to be there and to honour Val’s incredible 80 ‍years of service, which truly is outstanding.

For over 30 years Val volunteered in the control box and filled the role with dedication, fun and always a friendly smile. It is fitting that the control box was named in her honour five years ago and that her legacy is set to live on at the netball courts for generations to come. Val was always so positive, happy, inspiring and a beautiful person in every way. Val has left a lasting legacy. She was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed. Vale, Val Barrass.