The Tamborine Mountain Bushrats celebrated their season and club history at the senior men’s end-of-season presentation and awards dinner at St Bernards Hotel on September 26.
Several of the night’s major honours were the Bushrats’ perennial awards, which recognise current players while maintaining links to figures and traditions from the club’s past.
Ethan Sutherland received the Ned Kelly Award, presented to a player who demonstrates courage and refuses to take a backward step.
The award carries particular significance, with recipients having their names placed on a hand-carved wooden Ned Kelly ornament created by original Bushrats founder Patty Shannon.
Daniel Macauley received the Slammin’ Sam Backo Best Forward Award, named after the former Bushrat who went on to represent Queensland and Australia in rugby league.
Bill Brimelow claimed the Ron Tildesley Most Consistent Award for his attendance, attitude and consistent performances at training and on game day.
Recipients of the award have their names added to a framed jersey previously worn by Tildesley.
Edward Brimelow was named Players’ Player, with the honour decided through votes from his teammates based on performances throughout the season.
Coach Todd Tasker selected Cam Torrens for the Coaches Award, while Lewis Brimelow was named Best Back, Ben Coles Most Improved Back and Sutherland added Most Improved Forward to his Ned Kelly honour.
Coles also received the traditional Nat Barnes ‘Sexiest Bushrat’ Award.
Tasker said the presentation night represented more than individual performances.
“The awards carry a lot of history and tradition, and when they receive one of those awards, they’re not just being recognised for what they’ve done during one season, they’re becoming part of the history of the club,” he said.
Tasker described the 2026 season as challenging, particularly around player numbers and consistency, but praised the group for continuing to compete.
“The biggest thing I’m proud of is the way the playing group stuck together,” he said.
“We started to build a culture based around accountability, discipline, effort and pride.”
Tasker said every player who represented the Bushrats during the season had contributed to the club and deserved to celebrate their efforts.
