2026 - Nerida Millward

Nerida Millward has been an active, exemplary and deeply valued member of Brave Hearts since joining in 2008.

Always courteous, friendly and welcoming, Nerida makes new members feel at home. She has attended training regularly and works diligently on her personal fitness so she can contribute at her best to every team she joins.

A quiet achiever, Nerida readily helps wherever needed. She has supported fundraisers and Bunnings barbecues, working bees, served on the Dragon Boat Committee, assisted at Community Regattas, and helped run school group paddling sessions.

In November 2015 Nerida helped with the club’s future and became Assistant Coach. She attained her Level 1 Coaching Accreditation. In 2016, she generously stepped into the role of Head Coach. Her leadership in 2016-2017 guided Brave Hearts DBC through a very successful season. In 2022 Nerida completed her Level 2 coaching qualifications and developed paddlers with growing skill and confidence.

With the Junior Paddlers program expanding in the 2017–2018 season, Nerida became its coach. Under her guidance, five juniors were selected as “Joeys” to represent Victoria at the AusChamps, where they won an outstanding 45 medals between them.

Nerida shares her talent, knowledge and coaching expertise freely with others. We are especially grateful for the support she continues to give to so many new members, whether at leisure paddling, training sessions or regattas.

Nerida has proudly represented Brave Hearts at many AusChamps, the 2016 Club Crew World Championships, the Victorian Regional State Team. In 2016 she attended the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival, paddling in a composite team of 3 Brave Hearts and other paddlers from South Australia.

After passing the Auroras Senior C fitness test in 2017, she became our club’s first Aurora and proudly represented Australia at the World Championships in China.In 2018, she was deservedly named Victorian Regional Female Paddler of the Year.

Nerida continues to support Brave Hearts whenever she can. Through her fairness, inclusion, accountability, teamwork and respect, she consistently brings our club’s values to life.

We are sincerely grateful for Nerida’s enduring commitment to Brave Hearts on the Murray Inc. and the Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club. Her generosity, leadership and service make her an outstanding and most deserving recipient of the Silver Heart Award in 2026.