b'2018 VICTORIAN SPORT AWARDS Hosted in partnership with the State Government of Victoria, the Victorian Sport Awards were held on Wednesday, 20 February 2019 at Marvel Stadium,Docklands with 500 guests in attendance at the sold-out event. The high point of the Victorian sporting calendar, the Victorian Sport Awards brings together many of the states premier athletes and grassroots heroes. Over 260 nominations were submitted for the 20 awards, judged on performances during the 2018 calendar year, with State Sporting Associations and the broader sporting public taking part in the nomination process.Highlights of the night included the Outstanding Contribution to Victorian Sport Award presented to a surprised Susan Alberti AC and her on-stage interview with AFLW star Moana Hope, snowboarder Scotty James earning the Frank Wilkes award as Male Athlete of the Year and Table Tennis Commonwealth Games gold medallist Melissa Tapper who won the Kitty McEwan award as Female Athlete of the Year.The Hon Martin Pakula, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events said:The contribution of this years winners, finalists and nominees to their sport, local community and/or state as a whole is what makes Victoria the sporting capital of the country. By acknowledging and celebrating these outstanding role models, I hope we can inspire a new generation to follow in their footsteps.Vicsport staff with Susan Alberti, winner ofSusan Alberti receives her Victorian StateMelissa Tapper (left), winner of the Governors the Victorian State Government OutstandingGovernment Outstanding Contribution toAward Victorian Female Athlete of the Year Contribution to Victorian Sport and RecreationVictorian Sport and Recreation award, presentedKitty McEwan Award and the Hon. Linda Dessau award by Moana Hope AC (right)Winners of the SportsTG Victorian Young Team ofWinners of the Victorian Local GovernmentWinners of the La Trobe University Peter Norman the YearVictorian Indoor Cricket 14 and UnderInitiative of the YearFit N Fun Program (AllInclusion AwardRugby UnionGirls State Team Abilities)- Mornington Shire Council18'