The local orchardist was announced as the recipient of the major award, ahead of a strong list of nominees in sports as diverse as golf, archery, hammer throw, bodybuilding, rugby league, polocrosse and off-road motorbike racing.

Luke was unable to attend the Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel presentation dinner, as he was competing in shooting titles in Canberra, but friend Scott Mattiske accepted the trophy on his behalf, along with the award he received for Senior Sportsperson of the Year.

The judging panel determined Ellison the most worthy recipient for the major trophy after several outstanding achievements in clay target shooting last year, including qualifying for the NSW clay target shooting team to compete at national championships next month.

The 40th Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association (SOYA) dinner was attended by a mixture of nominees for the various categories, along with special guest Mike McKeon.

The former national surf lifesaving representative was interviewed on stage by MC John Schrader about his own career and also assisted with similar interviews of previous major award recipients Jessica Pascoe and Nick Greenhalgh.

Nick and Jessica both made several trips to the stage on Saturday night, with Nick named 2014 Junior Sportsperson of the Year, for his achievements in rugby league, while Jessica, a middle distance runner, was Forbes High School’s sportsperson of the year and also one of several recipients of a Merit Award.

Greenhalgh also made a trip to the Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel stage with the Forbes Magpies Under 18s, who were named Forbes’ best team in 2014, after winning the Group 11 Rugby League premiership.

Another member of the Magpies Under 18s, Dylan Gunn, received the All Round Sports Achiever Award for an outstanding year on the athletics track, specifically in 100m and 200m sprinting.

SOYA vice-president Andrew Grierson presented the President’s Award (on behalf of Andrew Norton-Knight) to the Forbes Camel Races Committee, for its efforts organising another successful Good Friday race meeting.

Forbes Golfers Association was rewarded for its hard work on Saturday night, with the FGA committee receiving the Administration Award for 2014, for their efforts in rejuvenating the Forbes course and amenities, particularly the installation of an automated watering system.

Red Bend Junior Rugby League under 12s mentor Neil Morrison was a surprised winner of the Coach of the Year trophy. In his speech he said he aspired to match the efforts of Cameron Greenhalgh, who coached the aforementioned Magpies under 18s to a premiership.

Earlier, NSW polocrosse representative Warrick Pearsall was named the recipient of the Phillip Adams Encouragement Trophy, while Merit Awards were presented to Nic Tomlinson (off-road motorcycling), Jack Hartwig (league and union), Dominique Holland (hammer throw), Jarrod Andrews (lawn bowls), Brad Herbert (hammer throw), Matt Nicholson (league) and Jess Pascoe.

Netball officials were also recognised for their efforts on Saturday night.

Forbes Netball Association player Tiarna Huggard was rewarded for her efforts off the court, receiving the Umpire / Referee of the Year trophy, while Marg Spackman received the Terry Wade Memorial Award for her efforts in administration of the sport.

St Laurence’s School student Ellie Mattiske was named Central West Credit Union’s Sports Achiever of the Year for her achievements in swimming in 2014.

Special Sports Awards were presented to golfer and Austag player Michael Wood and to all-rounder Kyle Bolam while seven local schools named their best sports achievers for 2014: Campbell Rubie (Bedgerabong), Lauren Cullenward (Eugowra Public), Jess Pascoe (Forbes High), Noah Girot-Serplet (Forbes North), Amy Gallagher (Forbes Public), Kurt Lovett (Red Bend) and Jack Hartwig (St Laurence’s Primary).

The first honour of the night went to Forbes Touch Association, who were named recipients of Forbes Shire Council’s Fair Go Award, for a local sporting body that encourages participation, fair play and sportsmanship.

Complete list of award winners: 

Forbes Shire Council Fair Go Award – Forbes Touch Association

School Awards (sponsored by Cahill’s Footwear)- 

Bedgerebong Public School - Campbell Rubie

Eugowra Public School - Lauren Cullenward

Forbes High School - Jessica Pascoe

Forbes North Public School - Noah Girot-Serplet

Forbes Public School - Amy Gallagher

Red Bend Catholic College - Kurt Lovett

St Laurence’s School - Jack Hartwig 

Central West Credit Union Sports Achiever – Ellie Mattiske

Terry Wade Award (presented by Forbes Netball Association) - Marg Spackman

Umpire / Referee of the Year (Complete Plumbing and Gas Fitting Trophy, sponsored by Hello World) – Tiarna Huggard

Phillip Adams Encouragement Trophy – Warrick Pearsall

Merit Awards – Nic Tomlinson, Jarrod Andrews, Jack Hartwig, Bradley Herbert, Dominique Holland, Matt Nicholson, Jessica Pascoe.

Coach/Trainer Award (sponsored by Forbes Sports and Recreation Club) – Neil Morrison

Administration Award (sponsored by Neil Morrison Livestock and Grain Transport) – Andrew McDonald and FGA Committee

All Round Sports Achiever (sponsored by McGroders Solicitors) – Dylan Gunn

President’s Award - Lee Marsh and Kerry Dunstan of Forbes Camel Races Committee

Special Sports Awards (sponsored by Hello World) - Michael Wood, Kyle Bolam

Team Award (sponsored by Walkers AGnVET) – Forbes Magpies Rugby League Under 18s

Junior Sportsperson of the Year (Robb’s Jewellers Trophy) - Nick Greenhalgh

Senior Sportsperson of the Year (Gunn’s Mensland Trophy) - Luke Ellison

Sportsperson of the Year Runner Up (sponsored by Forbes Services Memorial Club) – Nick Greenhalgh

Sportsperson of the Year (Forbes Advocate trophy) - Luke Ellison