ISSUE 47, June 2013 AWARDS AND HONOURS AT AOC AGM

Two hundred members of the Australian Olympic family descended on for the 2013 Australian Olympic Committee Annual General Meeting on 4 May 2013. Hosted at the AOC’s new headquarters at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, many infl uential members were given new positions, awards and recognition for their achievements.

Kitty Chiller (modern pentathlon), Nicole Livingstone OAM () and Danielle Woodward OAM (canoe/kayak) all joined the AOC Executive. The inclusion of these three women means women now hold fi ve of the 12 elected positions on the Executive - with longstanding Board member Helen Brownlee OAM (canoe/kayak) and Athletes’ Commission Chair Kim Crow (rowing). AOC President John Coates AC was also pleased to announce Brownlee had been elected as an AOC Vice President.

“Women comprise 45% of our Summer Olympic Team and 50% of our Winter Olympic Team, and in recent times they are winning the bulk of our Olympic medals, it is only right that women therefore have a greater presence on our Board,” said Coates, who has long been an advocate of greater gender diversity.

Brownlee, the NSW Olympic Council President, was also awarded the prestigious Special Commemorative Medal, presented by the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee. The award recognises contributions made by individuals to sport and culture and was fi ttingly given to Brownlee, who has been organising the secondary school Pierre de Coubertin award program which she founded in 20 years ago.

Fellow NSW Olympic Council stalwart Doug Donoghue AM and outgoing AOC Vice President Ron Harvey CVO AM were awarded Life Membership of the AOC. For over 20 years Donoghue has watched over the fi nances of the AOC. Harvey has spent more than half a century committed to sport.

Six individuals were awarded the AOC Order of Merit for their remarkable contributions to the Olympic Movement in Australia. John Calvert-Jones AM, Gary Fenton, Peter Fox AM, Alan Grover, David Prince OAM and Gerry Ryan OAM had, in the opinion of the AOC Executive, achieved remarkable merit in the sporting world through their outstanding contribution to Australia’s Olympic Teams and the Olympic Movement in Australia.

The six men fi lled various behind the scenes roles in their commitment to the fi ve rings. Calvert-Jones and Ryan showed unparalleled dedication to their respective sports of and cycling; Fox and Prince were pivotal in fundraising for the Australian Olympic Team; Fenton was an enigmatic leader in Olympic television broadcasting; and the AOC’s own Grover broke ground in Olympic marketing for over 25 years.

ONCE AN OLYMPIAN, ALWAYS AN OLYMPIAN NEWS FROM ACT

ACTOC President - Kitty Chiller

Sydney 2000 Olympian Kitty Chiller, Deputy Chef de Mission of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team been appointed to the Executive Board of the AOC and elected President of the Olympians Club of the ACT. Constitutionally Executive Board members automatically become ex offi cio members of their local Olympic Council too.

Kitty, who is also President of Modern Pentathlon Australia and a senior administrator with the Australian Sports Commission, will be joined on the ACT Olympic Council (ACTOC) by fellow Board member Kim Crow, dual rowing medallist in London and Canberra resident. Their appointments will bring to four the number of female executive members on the ACTOC board, the other two being Heather Reid and Sarah Mareuil. The Olympians Club will promote the activities and interests of the estimated 130 Olympians in the ACT while assisting the Council in its broader representational, advocacy, government liaison, education and fundraising.

Another recent event in the ACT was the launch of a book by Donald McMiken, an Australian modern pentathlete who competed at the 1964 and 1968 Games. Written under the name of Don McMaster, the book’s title is Provocation, a thriller set in Canada and France. Don launched the book at a Manuka bookshop in late March.

NEWS FROM NSW AGM and Events

The AGM and Election of Offi cers for the next four year term will take place in July. Notifi cations will be dispatched in early June. We encourage nominations for the Committee to ensure a wide spread of interests and opinions are represented.

The Olympians Club of NSW is keen to offer events that you want to attend! Keep an eye out for our membership survey and let us know your preferred events and how you wish to be contacted. We will also be inviting representatives from different Games and sports to become Olympians Club Event Ambassadors, to ensure the relevance of our events.

Harbour Cruise

NSW Olympians and their guests took to Sydney Harbour in April to enjoy the “best backdrop in the world” for a cruise on the magnifi cent vessel ‘Bella Vista’. Guests were entertained by interviews from Malcolm Page, sailing gold medallist and Closing Ceremony Flagbearer from London 2012 and John Farrow, Sochi Winter Olympic hopeful in skeleton. Olympians Club Treasurer Ian Brown displayed his talents for fi nancial matters, winning the raffl e - a magnifi cent Charles de Billich London Olympic artworkvalued at over $7,500!

470 Sailing Reunion On 16 March over 30 past and current 470 sailors gathered for a 50 year celebration in Sydney. A race involving fi ve 470s took place off the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at Kirribilli, under race director Malcolm Page, dual Olympic gold medallist. During the evening 95 people gathered for a dinner at the RSYS with friend and supporter of the 470 class, Ronstan CEO Alistair Murray, MC for the evening. Guests were entertained with a series of chats with various heroes from the different eras. The 470 is Australia’s most successful Olympic class and Australia is the most successful nation in the history of the class and gold in 2012 helped make sailing Australia’s most successful sport in London.

NEWS FROM QLD Celebrity Golf Classic

On 22 April the Queensland Olympic Council (QOC) held the annual Qantas Celebrity Golf Classic at Links Hope Island to raise funds for the 2016 Australian Olympic Team bound for Rio.

The golf day was the fi rst fundraising event for the 2016 Quad. The QOC has a fundraising target of $1M and the Golf Classic make a signifi cant contribution towards achieving this, raising $35,000. With the help of Erica Fordham a number of Queensland sport stars participated along with Olympians including gold medallists. They were Tim Horan, Susie O’Neill, Paul Gonzalez, Chris Handy, Pat Welsh, Bill Ross, Jeff Thomson, Nikki Hudson, Trevor Hendy, Greg Ritchie, Andrew Slack, Natalie Cook, David Orchard, Brent Livermore, , Tom Lawton, Graeme Hick, Allan Langer, John Brass, Larry Olsen, Glynis Nunn-Cearns, Liz Cantor, Judy Hudson-Luxton, Angus Waddell, Ethan Warren, Dick Johnson, Greg Cornelsen, Duncan Armstrong and Toby Jenkins.

With 18 holes, gift packs, entertainment, brunch and post game drinks, a great day was had by all. A big thanks goes to all the wonderful supporters and sponsors who made the day possible.

Pin Presentation

Presentations of offi cial IOC pins from London 2012 will be made to the Queensland members of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team on Thursday 6 June at Qld Parliament House, in the Red Chamber. In addition, the Order of Merit and Life Memberships awards of the Qld Olympic Council will be made in the presence of The Ho. Campbell Newman MP – Premier of Qld and John Coates – President , AOC.

Save the Date

Olympians Club of QLD next social event will be held on Saturday 27 July - so save the date!

NEWS FROM SA

On 11 May, the Olympians Club of SA hosted their Annual Dinner at the Glenelg Golf Course. The evening was attended by over 140 guests, with Australian Team members from the 1952 – 2012 Olympic Games. A special mention to Will Godward and Jessica Trengove who both competed in London 2012, it was great to have some of our “younger” Olympians represented, and we hope they will be back again. Neil Cross from the ABC interviewed Jessica Trengove about her experience in London, and qualifying for London with only one marathon performance ever. It was a wonderful insight into the world of a marathon runner, and her program towards a possible Rio 2016 campaign.

We look to May in 2014 to host our next Annual function, and look forward to catching up with our Olympic colleagues then.

NEWS FROM TAS At the 2012 AGM, the Tasmanian Olympic Council (TOC) held an election for the Executive Board Members and we are delighted to announce the nominated parties.

President - Anthony Edwards (Rowing Tasmania)

Vice Presidents - Bethan Kearney (Olympians Club), Matthew Gillie (Tasmanian Badminton Association)

Executive Members - Bruce Free (Volleyball Tasmania), Richard Welsh (Athletics Tasmania), Richard Watson AM (Skiing Tasmania), Angela Ockenden (Hockey Tasmania)

The AGM was a time of appreciation for the former President, Richard Watson who had fulfi lled the position for seven years. Richard was thanked for his service and presented with a gift on behalf of the Executive Board.

Anthony Edwards has taken on his new role as President with a gust of enthusiasm and he will be formally launched into the position at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre on June 21 where he will share his vision for the TOC. Anthony brings with him passion and drive for the sporting community and a broad array of experience. We look forward to building the Olympic movement over the next four years in Tasmania. NEWS FROM VIC Olympians Club Dinner

The 2013 OCV Gala Dinner will be held on 22 November at the Sofi tel, . This day marks the 57th anniversary of the Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games. Olympians and Offi cials are invited to celebrate this momentous day; some of the 1956 greats will reminisce and we will also celebrate the upcoming Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics with some of our winter legends. This is a great opportunity to reunite with your fellow Olympians and personalities from your sport. Tickets are available now, call the VOC on 03 9427 0700.

AGM Elections

The new VOC Executive was elected at the AGM:

President - Nicholas Green OAM Vice Presidents - Will Alstergren and Nicole Livingstone OAM Executive Members - Andrew Collett, Jeremy Thompson, David Wansbrough and Steve Moneghetti.

OCA President Leon Wiegard OAM remains on the Board as the OCV representative. They will guide the VOC’s initiatives for the quad. The OCV acknowledges the outstanding contribution of Kerri Tepper who retired as Vice President after 16 years service.

NEWS FROM WA Fundraising Bowls Event

200 people attended a fundraiser at Nedlands-Dalkeith Bowls Club on March 20 in aid of the WA Athletes competing in the Team for Glasgow 2014. These events provide a great opportunity for Olympians to support their Commonwealth Games colleagues as well as forging new relationships with corporate supporters of these events. The bowling activities of the day were the highlight for most with teams mixed up with Olympians, Commonwealth Games athletes and corporate members. All up, $15,000 was raised.

Fundraiser for Sarah Tait

Olympians Amber Bradley (2004, 2008) and Natalie Bale (2008) organised an event on May 26 as part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to raise funds for the Cancer Council – and pay great honour to Olympian Sarah Tait (2004, 2008, 2012), who has been diagnosed with a rare cervical cancer.

Bale was one of Tait’s bridesmaids in 2007 and her partner in the coxless pair 2005 World Championships winning a silver medal. Bale, Bradley and Tait attended Beijing 2008 together. The event had 150-200 people attend with $8000 raised. “Rowers (and those who are friends of rowers) really know how to pull together (yes, pun intended) both on and off the water,” Bale said at the event. The spirit of Olympians is truly alive.

Annual Xmas Lunch

The OCWA Executive is currently investigating venue options for the annual Christmas Lunch. There will be more information to come, but in the meantime, pencil Sunday 24 November in your diaries.

OCA PRESIDENTS ACT - Kitty Chiller NSW - Peter Hadfi eld OAM QLD - Judy Hudson-Luxton SA - Leon Gregory TAS - Bethanie Kearney VIC - Leon Wiegard OAM WA - Liane Tooth OAM OLYMPIAN NEWS

Congratulations to

• (Sailing - 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney) and Marguerite Houston (Rowing - 2008 Beijing) on their wedding in February 2013

• Allana Slater (Gymnastics - 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens) and Scott Penny on their wedding in April 2013

• (Swimming - 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing) on the birth of her twins Jasmine and Kyron in February 2013

Obituaries The OCA was sorry to hear of the passing of

• Kevin Coote (Wrestling - 1952 Helsinki, 1956 Melbourne) in May 2013.

• Ernie Chapman (Rowing - 1952 Helsinki) in March 2013.

Join in the global celebrations of Olympic Day in June. Olympians are invited to visit a local school to talk about their Olympic experience and the positive impact sport has had on their life.

To participate contact Frances Cordaro at the AOC on [email protected] or 02 84362143.

VICTORIA We would appreciate advice from Olympians visiting schools in Victoria – materials will be available to those Olympians making visits. If you are a past student of the following schools that have requested an Olympian at their school or live near these areas would you please contact us at the offi ce on 03 9427 0700:

Timbarra College (Berwick) Lake Charm Primary (Lake Charm) St Dominics Primary School (Camberwell East) Kyneton Primary School (Kyneton) Barnawartha Primary School (Barnawartha)

QUEENSLAND Schools currently taking part in Queensland are: Southport Special School, Alpha State School, The Summit State School, Marsden State school, St John’s Anglican College, Townsville Central State School, Bundaberg East State School To get involved, contact [email protected] TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY AT BOSTON MARATHON

For four-time Olympic marathon representative Rob de Castella, the Boston marathon now represents both a major triumph and a numbing tragedy.

Winner of the event in 1986 in a career personal best of two hours 7 minutes 51 seconds, in April 2013 he was witness to the terrorist bombing outrage near the fi nish of the course that resulted in three people losing their lives. Deek was in Boston as part of his Indigenous Marathon Project, which seeks to improve the lives of young Aboriginal people by encouraging them to run as part of improving their health and lifestyles. His major interest was 31-year-old Emma Cameron, from Darwin, who had been unable to contest the New York marathon the previous year through injury so was making her debut in Boston.

Sadly, Emma was passing the 40-kilometre mark, just over a kilometre from the fi nish, when the fi rst bomb exploded. Offi cials sealed off the course at the 41-kilometre mark, thus denying Emma the chance to complete her fi rst marathon.

Deek says Emma’s effort was nevertheless a personal triumph.

“She had never run further than 30 kilometres,” he says, “so she went 10 kilometres further than ever before.”

Emma is therefore focusing now on the Melbourne marathon in October.

“We’re gathering a large group of supporters to cheer her over that ‘missing’ 1.2 kilometres as she approaches the fi nish”, Deek says. “It will be a demonstration of support for what she went through in Boston.”

CALL FOR OLYMPIC SWIMMERS and the Australian Swimmers’ Association want to ensure that they keep in contact with the Olympians and Olympic offi cials that are part of the sport’s rich history and tradition.

If you are keen to re-engage with the sport in some capacoty, whether it is being involved in som of the development programs or purely for social reasons with teammates old and new, please contact the General Manager of the Australian Swimmers’ Association: Daniel Kowalski - [email protected]