Uniform Singlets Top: Club uniform – original and new 1981/82 version Middle: Interstate uniforms used until 1998 Bottom: Club and State uniform from 1998 Embroidered shield badges are sewn on, others are integral Right from the Start 1974 – 2014 In celebration of the 40th anniversary of WAVAAC and MAWA The Club for Veteran and Masters Athletics in Western Australia by Christine Oldfield Right from the Start 1974-2014 In celebration of the 40th anniversary of WAVAAC and MAWA Author: Christine Oldfield ISBN: 978-0-9529-6456-8 © Masters Athletics Western Australia Inc, 2014 www.mastersathleticswa.org Material in this publication may be reproduced for the purposes of marketing and promoting Masters Athletics and athletics in general, provided acknowledgement of author and source is given Published by the author, Christine Oldfield E-mail [email protected] Cover design and artwork by Paul Martin Paper version printed by Docuprint, 63 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle 6160 For paper copies contact the publisher ii Foreword I had originally discussed the idea of a veterans’ club in WA with Cliff Bould in 1971 and such a club was formed in 1974. But the road was not always easy. The idea of veterans’ athletics didn’t appeal to everyone, with some members of our local sporting media ridiculing the idea. “You are nothing but a bunch of old men running around” mocked one sports journalist. But membership grew and it was not long before women joined the Club’s ranks – and they now represent some 40% of the club’s membership. At times the patronising attitudes were hard to take but, forty years on, the concept has proven to be an unqualified success. We were, indeed, ahead of our time. The medical profession now extols the virtues of physical exercise, no matter one’s age. And with Australia’s ageing population, the benefits of exercise are immeasurable. Now this story, beautifully told by Christine Oldfield, retraces the steps of the trailblazers through to the athletes of today who pound the turf, infields, tracks, roads, footpaths and soil of our great state, week-in, week-out. History tells us that it is important to record and preserve details of a club’s activities, publications, systems and procedures. Old Father Time stands still for no one so we must take the opportunity to record this story while some of our founding and early members are still around to contribute. As a founding member, I am delighted that this terrific club is still in good hands and flourishing. I thoroughly recommend the book to all club members. John Gilmour OAM Patron [Photograph from MAWA State Championships 2013] iii Acknowledgements The assistance provided by Club members and others has been enormous and in the preface I have outlined the sort of tasks they have undertaken. It would be impossible to detail each individual’s contribution, but those named below, in alphabetical order, know what they did and how much it was appreciated. I’ve tried to keep track of everyone who helped and hope I have managed not to omit anyone. If I have, I apologise. Jim Barnes, Jacqui Beaumont, Vic Beaumont, Les Beckham, Shirley Bell, Brian Bennett, Jacqueline Billington, Barbara Blurton, Richard Blurton, Jeff Bowen, Carol Bowman, Geoff Brayshaw, Ivan Brown, David Carr, John Collier, Paul Collier, Graeme Dahl, Brian Danby, Elaine Dance, Richard Danks, Carey Dickason, Bob Fergie, Toni Frank, John Gilmour, Jackie Halberg, Damien Hanson, Bob Hayres, Peter Hopper, Paul Hughes, Sarah Ladwig, Lorna Lauchlan, Ray Lawrence, Tom Lenane, Lorraine Lopes, Wayne Loxley, Peggy Macliver, Alex Malcolm, Paul Martin, Duncan McAuley, Raema McMillan, Val Millard, Lorraine Morgan, John Oldfield, Joan Pellier, Wilma Perkins, Val Prescott, Dave Roberts, Jeanette Robertson, Bob Sammells, Bob Schickert, Lynne Schickert, Rob Shand, Colin Smith, Bryan Thomas, Campbell Till, Ann Turner, Ced Turner, Roger Walsh, Vic Waters, Dorothy Whittam, Jeff Whittam, Basil Worner, Dave Wyatt, Gillian Young Some of these deserve a special mention in addition: Jeff Whittam – for allowing me to borrow his precious collection of all the old newsletters during two of my summer seasons in Perth. Bob Hayres – for providing his newsletter collection for scanning. Paul Martin – for scanning the newsletters for the website, thus affording me essential access to information whilst not in Perth; also for his always amiable help with publishing and printing, especially his great cover design, all of which made my job so much easier. John Gilmour - for granting me access to his photograph collection and to his goldmine of memories. Also for agreeing to write the Foreword. Jackie Halberg – for reading the manuscript and putting me right on historical accuracy and integrity. John Oldfield – for proof reading the manuscript. But mainly for his loving support. He kept me supplied with copious quantities of liquid refreshment over the two years or so of work and put up with considerable neglect. Geoff Brayshaw – for undertaking, on behalf of the committee, the application for the Lotterywest grant and subsequent acquittal process. Lotterywest – for approving the grant. It has meant that the cost of the book could be kept very low. The Committee – for facilitating and supporting the project. Quotes – Those quotes that are unattributed come from the Club’s publications, committee meeting minutes and other Club documents. Photographic acknowledgements can be found on the Sources page (p166). iv Preface AMA’s Age is no Barrier, published in 2011, chronicles the history of veterans’ and masters’ athletics in Australia over a forty year period. In the introduction to that book Bryan Thomas, the author, explains: “As this history concentrates on the ‘big picture’ within Australia it does not dwell on the grass roots past of individual clubs”. Now this book, also covering about forty years, does get down to the grass roots level of veterans’ and masters’ athletics in Western Australia. I have included a wide range of quotes and anecdotes intended to capture the imagination of readers and perhaps raise the odd chuckle – so I prefer to call this a ‘story’ of the Club rather than a ‘history’. Throughout, I have used the term ‘Club’, with a capital C, to denote WAVAAC, WAVAC or MAWA. The book has been over two years in the making and the biggest problem has been selecting what to include and what to leave out. There have been so many worthy events, performances and members that it is not possible to mention them all. Inevitably some readers may be disappointed that they or their input or exploits have not been covered. I have tried to feature those things which contributed directly to the development of the Club, mindful that this was intended to be a book about the Club rather than its members. The finished product is the result of a great team effort - a truly collaborative venture by Club members, former members and others. They have provided information, documents and photographs, answered questions (often testing long- term memories to the limit) and read through various sections of text for accuracy. Input from some has been considerable, but even those who perhaps provided just one little snippet of information have helped to make this book what it is. I could not have done it without you all. To minimise costs I have done the editing and publishing myself. The rather poor quality of some of the older photographs is regrettable but unavoidable. Some have been scanned or photographed from very grainy cuttings. So please turn a blind eye to anything which looks anything less than professional. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing all the research, particularly as it provided the opportunity to get to know better some of the older, long-standing members. What a great bunch they are. And the younger members are shaping up to be equally great. The future of the Club is safe in their hands. Christine Oldfield Author and Publisher v Acronyms Veterans & Masters Club WAVAAC Western Australia Veterans Amateur Athletic Club WAVAC Western Australia Veterans Athletic Club (from 1984) MAWA Masters Athletics Western Australia Inc (from 2003) National AAVAC Australian Association of Veterans Athletics Clubs AMA Australian Masters Athletics (from 2002) Regional OAMA Oceania Association of Masters Athletics OMA Oceania Masters Athletics (from 2011) World WAVA World Association of Veteran Athletes WMA World Masters Athletics (from 2001) Open WA - The Association WAAAA Western Australian Amateur Athletic Association (until 1979) WAWAAA Western Australian Women’s Amateur Athletic Association AAWA Athletics Association of Western Australia (1979-97) AthleticA (1997 – 2007) AWA Athletics Western Australia (from 2007) AA Athletics Australia IAAF International Association of Athletics Federations Other WALAA Western Australia Little Athletics Association WAMC West Australian Marathon Club WAAS Western Australia Athletics Stadium AURA Australian Ultra Runners Association ECAC Ern Clark Athletic Centre (from 2008 - formerly Coker Park) LOC Local Organising Committee CCC Cross Country Championships T&F Track and Field SR, AR, WR State, Australian, World Record PB, SB, PBA Personal, Season’s Best performance, Personal Best in Age-group RRC, RWC Road Running, Road Walking Championships vi Contents Founders and some first year members – photographs ............................... viii 1 The Development of the Club .......................................................... p9 Conception and Birth (1969 - 1974) (p9), The Purpose (p10), Infancy (1974) (p11), The