Life Members
Donna Wood
Donna has been a dedicated member of Diving SA since 2004. Over this period, she has significantly contributed to the association through various key roles, including serving as the Recording Secretariat from 2004 to the present. Donna has also played an instrumental role in organizing events such as the SAPSASSA competitions from 2006 to 2010 and the Mildura diving competition from 2016 to the current day. Her involvement extends to numerous national and international championships, where she has served with distinction. Notably, she volunteered at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympics in Sydney, managed accommodation for athletes at the 2012 World Juniors in Adelaide, and organized accommodation for the PSG in Canberra in 2008.
Donna has also been a chef for SA competitors at the 2007 Age Nationals in Perth, and organized the 2012 Age National Championships in Adelaide. Additionally, she has held pivotal roles as a recording secretariat and office manager at multiple Age National Championships, Junior Elite Championships, Australian Open Championships, Commonwealth Games Trials, and an Olympic Games Trial. Her distinguished service includes being a medal presenter at several championships and contributing as a Recording Secretariat for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the FINA Grand Prix Gold Coast from 2015 to 2020. Donna's extensive and high-quality service has greatly enhanced the reputation and future of the association, demonstrating her exceptional commitment and special service to the sport of diving in South Australia.
Gavin Wood
Gavin has been a dedicated member of Diving SA since 2004. Throughout his tenure, he has made significant contributions to the association through various roles. Gavin served as a Board member for four years and has been a Level 3 judge and referee since 2006. He has also been the Computer Systems Coordinator for Diving Australia since 2004, a role in which he has demonstrated his expertise in managing and coordinating computer systems for numerous events. His judging experience extends to the Mildura diving competitions from 2016 to the present.
Gavin has represented the association with distinction at numerous national and international championships. He has been a Computer Operations Manager at several high-profile events, including the 2009 Australian Youth Olympics in Sydney, the 2012 World Juniors in Adelaide, and numerous Age National Championships, Junior Elite Championships, Australian Open Championships, Olympic Trials, and Commonwealth Games Trials.
His service to the association is marked by significant, sustained contributions that have enhanced its reputation and future. Gavin's roles as Computer Systems Coordinator for Diving Australia and as a Level 3 judge reflect his high-quality service. Additionally, his distinguished service includes serving as a Board member for four years, acting as the Recording Secretariat for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and managing computer operations at the FINA Grand Prix on the Gold Coast from 2015 to 2020.
Michael Parker
Mike began his involvement in 2004 supporting son, Nick, being his 'taxi driver' and soon took the opportunity to learn more about the sport by becoming a judge (Level 3) and a referee. Mike has filled many roles since that early introduction including team manager, JMC member (SASI, Diving Australia and Diving SA), allowing him to be a member of SAOC, finishing as vice president.
Mike became a Diving SA board member in 2006 from 2011-2013 was Chairman of the Board during which saw the sport relocate from North Adelaide to Marion. He remained a Board member to 2018 and since April 2018 he has fulfilled the role of Finance Administrator. His volunteering has included numerous competition roles including recording table duties, judging and in 2006 he was Chairman of the Adelaide Age Nationals and Elite Juniors.
Sherree Cameron
A trampolinist, Sherree began diving in 1978 at the age of 12 and competed in both sports for many years. After finishing 4th in the synchronised event at the trampolining world championships she gave trampolining away to focus on diving. Representing the Elizabeth Diving Club under coach Jim Russell, Sherree competed at multiple National Summer and Winter Championships winning silver and bronze medals. She later moved to the North Adelaide Diving Club with Daryl Hocking where she continued to represent South Australia at national championships until around the age of 20.
At 16, Sherree began coaching and gained her level 1. Over the following decade she took on many roles including club secretary, fundraising coordinator and committee member, in addition to coaching and judging at all interclub and State competitions. After a short break to start a family, Sherree returned in 2001 to the newly formed Diving SA, where she continued to coach and gained her level 2. Over the years Sherree coached many successful divers and coached at National Age Championships, SAPSASA and the Pacific School Games (PSG). She continues to coach at the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre until this current day.
Sherree has been the State officials coordinator since 2006, SAPSASA coordinator since 2007 and PSG coach and manager since 2008. She served as a board member between 2006 and 2012 and has volunteered at every State, National and International Championships held in Adelaide in roles including fundraising, deck controller, secretariat, administrator, manager and coach.
Wayde Masters
Wayde started diving at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre in 1991 after moving to Adelaide from the South East. It wasn’t long before he started coaching as a way to offset his own training fees. As the years went by coaching became more and training less. He continued competing in age group competitions through until 2012 and is the current holder of the Men’s 30-49 years 3m springboard state record.
Along the way Daryl Hocking and Sue Lewis convinced Wayde there were other ways that he could give back to the sport and so began Wayde’s association with Diving Australia. He volunteered at numerous National and International Championships including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, 2007 World Championships in Melbourne and 2012 World Junior Championships in Adelaide. Wayde has been an integral part of Diving Australia’s Competition Committee for many years. Known to many as ‘the voice of diving’ he has announced at every major event and is highly regarded for his meticulous preparation and ability to pronounce even the most challenging of competitors’ names perfectly.
Wayde’s ability with computer systems led him to becoming an expert in the management of Dive Recorder, the core program used in Australia and many other countries to facilitate the entire recording function at diving competitions. He has also contributed towards the program’s development, corresponding regularly with the developer in Scotland.
Wayde has been a successful diver, coach, official and competition manager. He continues to coach at the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre and contribute towards the sport of diving any way he can. He believes everything he does for the sport is simply repayment for everything the sport has given to him.
Ashley Wilson AM
Ashley served as Diving South Australia's chairman for several years. In 1996 he joined the Diving Australia board on which he served for 18 years, becoming chairperson in 2008. Ashley worked at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and the 2007 FINA World Championships for host nations' broadcasters as a spotter and technical advisor for their television productions. In 2003 Ashley formed the South Australian Aquatic Sports Coalition.
As lead designer of the integrated dryland facility, Ashley and the coalition were instrumental in making the world class SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre at Marion a reality when it opened in 2011. Ashley was heavily involved in the design, fabrication and specifications of diving and dryland facilities throughout Australia until 2013. From 1998 to 2005 Ashley was the key dryland instructor for the DA level 2 coaches courses and wrote the first DA dryland training manual.
In 2003 Ashley was awarded the South Australian Government Office of Recreation and Sport and South Australian Sports Institute "Services to Sport" award. Ashley authored "The History of Australian Diving" which was first published in 2014.
Valerie Beddoe AM
Valerie (Val) was an outstanding diver, coach, official, selector, administrator and team manager. Between 1978 and 1986 Val was the most successful Australian diver (male or female) winning over 50 national junior and open titles. Val competed at three Commonwealth Games (1978, 1982, 1986) winning Gold, Silver and two Bronze. Val was a dual Olympian (1980 & 1984) and won a combined-boards FINA World Championships award in 1982. Val's success as a coach matched her performance as an athlete.
She was the inaugural AIS scholarship coach and then assistant AIS head coach for three years. In 1991 Val started her own diving club called 'Rippers' which was ranked the number one diving club in Australia for two consecutive years within the first five years of operation. In 1993 Val was appointed the first South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) diving coach. In 1998 Val became Australia's high performance manager of elite programs and coached at various FINA World Championships, World Cups and Commonwealth Games.
In 2001 Val was awarded a member of the order of Australia (AM) for her services to diving, and life memberships of both Diving Australia and Diving South Australia. In 2011, after many years of coaching, judging and administering at international level for diving, Val was appointed Diving Australia's National Technical Manager.
Daryl Hocking
As a diver Daryl won over 30 State titles, a bronze and silver at the Australian Open Championships, 21 Australian Masters titles, and Gold, Silver & Bronze at the 1989 World Masters Championships. Daryl was State Secretary, State President, Australian Coaches Association Secretary and Australian Coach numerous times, and involved in competition management at State, Australian, World and Olympic level.
Daryl was Diving Australia's national development officer in the 1990's and was instrumental in developing the Dive Active learn-to-dive programs, The Fun Dive recreational training program, the Kinda Dive classes for pre-schoolers, a nationwide Club and Pool database, the diving Club management manual, and the VIP scheme for volunteers. Daryl was pool deck manager at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and diving event manager at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore.
One of Daryl's major contributions to diving was his leadership in the advent of the 'levels' competition format. Daryl is also a life member of Diving Australia.
Sue Lewis
Sue was Secretary, Treasurer and magazine editor for diving in South Australia between 1984 and 1989. She was heavily involved in the back office functions of running diving competitions at State, National and International level including Olympic Games.
Sue introduced new systems, processes and quality to the way table recording was conducted and is remembered for her training and education of technical officials. Sue was the registrar of Diving Australia for many years and wrote the Competition Management Manual which is still in use today.
Jim Russell
Jim was the State Highboard Champion in the early 1960’s. He went on to form Elizabeth’s first diving club and is remembered for his diving camps over the holiday periods. Jim was also an accomplished ballroom dancer.
Judy Templer
Judy became the first female president of a State Diving Association in Australia and went on to become the first female national selector for Diving Australia. Judy was instrumental in maintaining the 1m diving board at the Kensington/Norwood pool.
Bill Pinnock
Bill was president of SADA for several years and known for his devotion to club development at grass root levels and for promoting the sport of diving to the media.
Bev Stringer
Bev was the most outstanding fund raiser of all time, contributing countless hours of effort and passion towards funding complete state teams, including airfares, accommodation and uniforms, which consisted of blazers, tracksuits & training gear.
David Burchell BEM
David was an outstanding diver and is especially remembered for continuing with his diving after losing a leg in an accident at the age of 16. Armstands and high diving soon became his specialty. David was also an accomplished scuba diver and is accredited with finding the HMS Perth in 1967.
Dennis Horne
Dennis coached many trampoline & diving champions including world champions. He was president of SADA in the late 1970’s and was instrumental in introducing trampoline harness into the training programs of elite divers.
Ivy Datseres
Ivy won Australian Championships as a Victorian in her younger years and first represented South Australia in 1974. In her later years she won several World Masters titles whilst still coaching. Ivy is remembered for establishing the Parks Community Diving Club.
Tom Herraman OAM
Tom not only won numerous State Diving Championships, but also in swimming at Australian level. He won the bronze on platform in 1947. Tom was Secretary for swimming and diving for 38 years. Tom is remembered for his development of the State Country Diving Championships.
Russell Lucas
Russell was State Champion many times and is remembered for his commitment to the SA Diving Troupe for over a decade which performed displays and demonstrations, including some from the roof of Popeye on the river Torrens.
Val Payne
Val was State Champion 10 times and finished her career by winning the platform event at the 1946 Australian Championships. Val’s diving displays off the King William St. bridge into the river Torrens are legendary.
Arthur Sampson
Arthur was State Champion several times, and won bronze on the 10m platform at the 1938 Australian Championships. He is remembered for giving more than 20 years service as diving delegate to the Australian Swimming Union.