Just over 12 weeks since they signed on, participants in the Coonamble Gym’s 12 week Fitness Challenge put on their glad rags and were ready to celebrate.
Of the 78 people who registered, 68 completed the Challenge with about 57 of those being ‘very committed’ attendees.
The results were obvious at the Presentation Night held at Coonamble Bowling Club on Friday 27 October. Many of the participants and their supportive partners were on hand as the most outstanding dedicated strivers and high achievers were recognised.
Gym Manager Mark Vaughan was master of ceremonies and with his staff Brittany Baker and Jess Stanford, presented awards for those who had reached major milestones.
Ten “Gym Champions” each received $50 Coonamble Cash in recognition of their individual achievements and a further ten received a $50 SportsPower “Good Sports Award.”
A “Commitment Award” was presented to Luke Browne and Kirsty Simmons with the prize of three months’ gym membership left open-dated pending their return from the United Kingdom in twelve months time. Luke accepted the award on behalf of the absent Kirsty with some inspiring words about the many benefits of improved fitness.
Kylie Parry received a “Special All-Rounder Award” for her attendance, commitment and improved fitness.
The Gym Management Team’s Special Achievement award went to Nicole Barrett who had lost more than 7kg in the 12 weeks, was one of only eight participants who scored over 2200 points and made a dramatic improvement in her fitness test score. In fact, Mrs Barrett was less than 1kg away from taking out the top spot in the weight loss division.
Second place in the weight loss section was Marg Markey who lost 7.32% of her mass and the Biggest Loser was Rodney Vallett who managed to remove 9.62% of his total volume.
The major winners received a three night package at the Newcastle Crowne Plaza with free valet parking, breakfasts, harbour view suite and a $100 hotel credit.
In the Transformation category, winner Aaron West was rewarded for a combination of an impressive fitness test, weight reduction, reduced belly circumference, consistent attitude and taking on extra work like boot camp. Mr West went close to breaking the 5 minute barrier in the fitness test at 5min 2sec with the next nearest person 30 seconds behind him.
The fitness test involved a timed 500metre row, 20 squats, 20 situps, 20 push-ups and a final 500metre row. Mr Vaughan pointed out that some participants managed to reduce the time to complete the test by 90seconds.
In the Point Score division, Allan Karanouh was runner-up with 2500 points but the runaway winner was Mark Ewers who gained 2950 points and was disappointed not to crack the 3000. The points were accumulated by attending sessions, participating in the Colour Run and taking on extra challenges.
Overall, Mr Vaughan says he was extremely impressed with all the participants who “kept getting out of bed and turning up.”
After the awards the night turned to fun with participants combining to present ‘acts’ including a horizontal version of Tina Turner’s Nutbush, some solo and duet singing from Peter Moppett (Devil’s Right Hand) and Ken McKeown with Mark Vaughan (Rhinestone Cowboy), Karen Churchill and the girls from Wham (Wake Me Up Before You Go), Mark Vaughan, Aaron West, Josh Gersohn, Mark Ewers and Luke Browne showing their Motown moves, Heidi and the girls doing their best Shania Twain, Bev Davidson reciting an original poem that detailed the many excuses she could find for not attending fitness sessions, “Debbie and the Clan” did Eagle Rock and Ange Thompson, Marg Markey and Sally Stratton performing an eerily accurate Kath & Kim (and Sharon) skit written especially for the occasion.
Steven Harris and Orby Thurston did an incredible job with the sound after being called in at short notice, with help from the multi-skilled Tessa Pennell in charge of both lighting and catering.
The talk is now of the Six Week Challenge and what can be done to top the presentation night.
NOTE: Photos from the night are available for purchase on the Coonamble Times’ website from the Gallery section