Two long-serving women pioneers of the Bardwell Valley Golf Club – Valerie Leicht and Wendy Prideaux – have been honoured with room dedications in the clubhouse.

Valerie, 94, has been a member for more than 50 years, the longest serving lady member in the club’s history. In that time she has served on the Women’s Committee for 40 years and is still vice-president.

Wendy, 80, was the first woman appointed to the club’s board, has served on the Women’s Committee for 39 years, spent 14 years as ladies captain and more than a decade as ladies president.

Current ladies captain Kay Vickers was the driving force behind the celebrations for Valerie and Wendy after seeing the https://worshipp.org website that campaigns to highlight outstanding Australian women by naming public places in their honour.

“We need to cherish the great work of these two amazing ladies over so many years,” Kay said.

Wendy, who has been a member at the club for 41 years, said she and Valerie felt privileged for the recognition from the club they both love.

“My husband Graham and I are so lucky to be involved with this club,” Wendy said after being presented with the plaque honoring her long service.

Valerie said she found great friendship at the club, especially after the death of her husband Peter who was also a dedicated member at Bardwell Valley for many years.

“It’s a wonderful club and this is a great honour. I am so happy,” she said. “Wendy and I have made a great team as president and vice-president. I just do whatever she tells me.”

Together they host the Bardwell Valley Charity Day each May and this year raised $10,000 for the Bayside Women’s Shelter. The club also bestowed Wendy with her own Wendy Prideaux Perpetual Trophy in June last year because of her many contributions to Bardwell Valley.

“I feel overwhelmed by the accolades and will continue to do as much as I can for Bardwell Valley. I’m also extremely happy to be part of the WORSHIPP campaign,” Wendy said.

The “Valley” opened in 1964 as a nine hole course, expanding some years later to 12 holes and finally reaching 18 holes in 1978, by which time both Valerie and Peter were members. Wendy joined a few years later in the early 1980s.