The Emus won the 2001 Lexton Plains Football League grand final last month at Learmonth Oval in front of huge crowd.

Grace has been at the helm of the Emus for the past two seasons.

But at his place of employment yesterday at ''Warrawidgee'', Grace announced to The Courier he was heading home to manage his father's property at Ouyen.

''Dad is 57 now and it is getting a little bit harder,'' Grace said on the idyllic ''Warrawidgee'' property.

''I won't be coaching next year but will line up as a player for Ouyen who finished just outside the finals,'' Grace said.

''I've enjoyed the past two seasons with the Skipton Emus and winning the premiership was something very special.

''I was born and bred at Ouyen and my parents, Ron and Marilyn, is the reason I am heading back to Ouyen,'' Grace said.

He said Ouyen in the Mallee league also was close to his heart and he expected he would continue to be an on-baller changing off a half forward flank.

For the record, Skipton categorically won the 2001 premiership against Rokewood-Corindhap 15.17 (107) to 6.16 (52).

Grace also won the Victorian Country Football League medal for the best player on the ground in the grand final.

The departing coach Grace was kept busy at the Skipton presentation night on Friday when he was presented with the club's Charlie Pretlove memorial best and fairest award.

Grace easily won the award with 229 votes ahead of Tony Boyer on 181 and was also presented with the Merv Howard Medal by VCFL regional manager Graeme Pigdon for his best on ground performance in the grand final.

Skipton president John Peeters also presented Grace with the football used in the club's premiership win.

Mr Peeters detailed the people who had provided him with ''outstanding support'' throughout the year before finishing on a sadder note with his farewell to outgoing coach Grace.

Tony and Rhonda Slater were presented with the president's award for their outstanding contribution to the club in season 2001, Tony as junior chairperson and trainer and Rhonda for her commmitment as chairperson of the ladies committee which oversees the canteen.

Jason Gibson took out the reserves best and fairest while Trudy Boyer was awarded the senior netball best and fairest trophy and Tory Wilson secured victory in the netball reserves best and fairest award.

Awards presented on the night were:

CLUB AWARDS:

Presidents Award - Rhonda and Tony Slater

Best Clubman - Michael Sturgeon

Appreciation Award- Cheryl Sturgeon (20 years service to netball)

FOOTBALL AWARDS:

Senior best and fairest - Wayne Grace

Senior best and fairest runner up - Tony Boyer

Senior most consistent - Graeme Lench

Senior coaches award - John Gardner

Senior Leading goalkicker - Kiernan Molloy (62)

Reserves best and fairest - Jason Gibson

Reserves best and fairest runner up - Luke Milenkovic

Reserves most consistent - Chris Shelton

Reserves coaches award - Luke Milenkovic

Reserves leading goalkicker - Jason Gibson (69)

Best first year player - Joseph Kavanagh

Most improved player - Nick Watson

Most useful player - Michael Hutt

Quiet achiever award - Paul Grinstead

Encouragement awards - Adam Slater and Cory Cassar

Most dedicated - Andrew Clark

NETBALL AWARDS:

Senior best and fairest - Trudy Boyer

Senior best and fairest runner up - Christie Fletcher

Senior coaches - Clare Odlum

Senior best player in finals series - Faye Shelton

Reserves best and fairest - Tory Wilson

Reserves best and fairest runner up - Emma Poulton

Reserves coaches award - Melanie Grace

Reserves best player in finals - Natalie Drake

Beryl Wise Trophy - Trudy Boyer