Saturday, 11 May 2024

Netball legend named Newcastle Freeman of the City

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has joined delegates and members of Newcastle's sporting community at City Hall on Saturday 11 May 2024 to celebrate the contributions of Adele 'Dell' Saunders OAM.

88-year-old Dell has been named the 18th Freeman of the City of Newcastle for her lifelong service to the Newcastle netball and wider sporting community. Her involvement in the Hunter sporting community has spanned almost seven decades. 

Ms Saunders has served as president of the Newcastle Netball Association and foundation president of the Hunter United Netball Region. 

She also served as an international umpire in Hawaii, New Zealand and Fiji and has received multiple awards including the All-Australian Umpire Badge in 1974 the Order of Australia Medal in 1999 and Australian Sports Medal in 2000. 

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon and the Director of Netball NSW, Vincent DeLuca will also be part of the official ceremony to bestow the award.