MOREE running machine Kate McDonald etched another entry on her CV – a burgeoning work in progress – when named Young Sportsperson of the Year at the 2025 Australia Day awards ceremony on Sunday.
The Moree Midget completed an exceptional year – not only at running and cross-country events, but also in the swimming pool and equestrian arenas.
The quietly-spoken young athlete, ranked 10th nationally for 1500 metres as well as ninth nationally for 800 metres, was humble as she received her award from Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse.
“Thank-you to the Moree community,” Kate said.
“I couldn’t have done what I’ve achieved this year without them, or groups like Run the Plains, Moree Park Run and Ronny Clissold and the support group.
“I’m very grateful to all of them,” she smiled.
Kate’s athletics journey last year took her from zone and State carnivals to the national platform.
She participates in Moree Little Athletics, Moree Run Club and Moree Park Run – and represents her community with pride.
She was named the 2024 Moree Zone PSSA Sportsperson of the Year and also earned Moree Public School’s Recognition of Achievement Award for athletics, cross-country and swimming.
Kate was also made a shadow reserve for the NSW PSSA Cross Country Team.
On horseback, Kate was crowned champion 75cm showjumper at the Interschool State Championships and in the pool she achieved a personal best for 50-metres breaststroke at state championship level.
All this at 12 years of age.
Mayor Susannah Pearse said Kate represents Moree with pride, and demonstrates the extraordinary possibilities that come with hard work and determination.
“At Moree Park Run, Kate holds the women’s five-kilometre record – that’s the women’s record, mind you – and also dominated the inaugural Run the Plains event, winning her age and gender categories across all distances, and finishing first overall in the three-kilometre and five-kilometre races,” Cr Pearse said.
“Kate’s dedication, humility and passion makes her a role model for her peers, and an inspiration to all of us,” she said.
Kate’s achievements at national level at the Australian All Schools Championships at Sydney’s Olympic Park in November are phenomenal, given she was struggling to shake off a head cold at the time.
Coach Ron Clissold, an Australia Day awards nominee on Sunday, said Kate’s efforts were inspiring.
“She was great. All the other girls have been there before, but for Kate, it was her first time,” Mr Clissold said.
“Kate had a bad cold for a week, and that set her back. She was two seconds off her personal best in the 1500m but still managed 10th place.”
Kate is equally as comfortable on horseback as she is wearing runners out on the track.
Along with Alec Dunlop, Lucy Doolin and Lola Barwick, she represented New South Wales at the Marcus Oldham College Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth in September.
Kate firmly has the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games on the radar.
“I want to make it to the 2032 Olympics. My main distances are 800 metres and 1500 metres but I’ve been enjoying the five-kilometre runs as well,” she smiled.
