At the 92nd Annual General Meeting of Badminton Victoria, a heartfelt and respectful farewell was extended to Ms. Rochelle Liyanage, who officially stepped down from the Board after 12 years of dedicated service – 6 of which, she served as a president. Rochelle began her presidency in 2017, marking the start of a significant chapter in her leadership journey with Badminton Victoria.

For Rochelle, badminton has been a lifelong passion, as the sport that began over 30 years ago when she was just 10 years old. The South East Badminton Association (SEBA) was her first home away from home, and as she fondly recalls, “There was nothing better than picking up the badminton bag after school and heading to the stadium.” That feeling, she notes, has never truly left her.

Her first tournament dates back to 1993, marking the beginning of a journey filled with enduring friendships and memorable matches. A 1997 SEBA junior tournament remains a cherished moment — standing beside her is Hai-Duong Huynh, her doubles partner for years and a lifelong friend. In an unexpected twist of fate, one of the players in the photo turned out to be current Board Director, Jackie Cheuk. As Rochelle shared, “Funny story... when Jackie joined the Board last year, and I found this photo, we realised we played against each other as juniors.”

(Rochelle wearing blue top and Jackie Cheuk wearing grey top)

Throughout the years, Rochelle has not only found joy in the sport itself but has also remained deeply committed to giving back to the badminton community. As the President of the Badminton Victoria Board, she played a pivotal role in leading the 2024 Atalanta Jamboree in Melbourne, celebrating its 40th anniversary. The event welcomed over 240 women and required immense effort to manage successfully, but despite the exhaustion, Rochelle described the experience as exhilarating and unforgettable. 

Her presence has been a constant at numerous BV events, where she actively engaged with members, supported organisational efforts, and ensured that the club’s work reflected its values. Beyond her professional contributions, Rochelle became a pillar of support for many, offering encouragement, wisdom, and a sense of unity within the community. Her ability to build bridges and foster connections has left a lasting impression on all who have worked with her. 

In her final message, Rochelle reflected on the journey and left us with words of encouragement and vision: “Be proud of these achievements, you have all played a part in some way or form. But don’t let that stop you, or let you forget to be bold in the future. Change is constant, and change is hard, so you are allowed to have a moment to whinge, we all need it sometimes. Once that moment is over, embrace the change and use it to grow, for a bigger and better tomorrow.” 

We sincerely thank Rochelle for her unwavering commitment, leadership, and countless contributions to Badminton Victoria. We wish her all the very best in the future and trust that wherever life takes her, the spirit of badminton will always be close by.