The Department of Health and Human Performance Volunteer of the Year award - part of The Morning Bulletin Sports Star of the Year Awards for 2006-07 - has gone to local basketball administrator Del Harney.

Around 140 people attended the awards presentation night at the Rockhampton Leagues Club last Friday (Oct 19), including parliamentarians, councillors and sports leaders.

Associate Professor Peter Reaburn from Human Movement Science was on hand to present the award.

"The award is about recognising that special person who performs duties behind the scenes week in, week out at their sporting club," Dr Reaburn said.

The term 'volunteer' includes all those involved in the running of any aspect of a sporting event or club/association/organisation. A volunteer can be a referee, umpire, judge, official, administrator, or any person who is involved with the sport, either unpaid or for a minimal payment.

Del Harney has been the secretary of Rockhampton Basketball from 1982 until today. She can be seen at Hegvold Stadium 7 days a week performing many duties. Her services are widely acknowledged, with the modest administrator receiving an Australian Basketball volunteer of the year award in 1991.

Associate Professor Peter Reaburn (left) and The Morning Bulletin's Aaron Kelly present the award to Del Harney. Photo courtesy The Morning Bulletin