Ringwood Athletics Club - 50 years on
Ten years ago I updated ttie tiistory of the Club and here we are again with another 10 years under the belt. As one of the Foundation Members of the Ringwood Women's Amateur Athletics Club who was still active in 2002 1 felt that I could look back on the previous 40 years and comment with some authority. In this past ten years my active involvement has been much reduced but as a Life Member 1 still follow the fortunes of the Club with interest. With the help of the amazing scrapbooks of our archivist, Tony Lethbridge, and the work done by Chris Tew and others prior to the 40* Anniversary 1 have brought this booklet to the end of the 2010-2011 Summer Season. This is by no means a comprehensive history of the Club but at least it documents our milestones, recognises the achievements of our athletes and Club officials and can form the bases for a history to be written in the future.
From a meeting called by the then Mayor of Ringwood, Cr Bob Honnan in July 1961 the women's Club was fonned and in March 1962 the men's Club began. Who would have thought in 1962 that the two Clubs that had very little contact in the first twenty years would join together when athletics in Victoria finally moved out of the Dark ages and amalgamate to become one strong entity. Our eariiest members probably would never have dreamt that the Club could win A Grade Premierships, produce the number of Australian team representatives that it has or become an important presence in athletics.
I am not really sure why I dragged my mother along to that first meeting, which was advert:ised in the Ringwood Mail, as my athletic prowess had not really surfaced when I was a shy, skinny 14 year old. I thought 1 could high jump a bit so we went along, probably to my mother's regret as she managed to get herself elected as Treasurer, a position she held for 10 years! We were fortunate to have a strong group of parents who were willing to form a committee and some excellent coaches who gave us their time. Mariene and Geoff Warren (still active members of the Knox Club) were a driving force in those eariy days and our other coaches Elizabeth Jack and Lorraine Stafford managed to whip a motley bunch of youngsters into something that resembled a team. The women's competition was held at what we called Old Royal Park - a black cinder track close to the zoo. After a day at InterClub you could guarantee that you would go home very tired after competing in anything and everything and with a black knee from the cinder that was embedded in it from starting on the track.
Our unifonns were dark green, coarse cotton tops that some of the mum's made with the ring and tree symbol patch which was press studded on so that you could take it off for washing. Shorts looked a bit like footy shorts with elastic in the legs and the tops had to be worn out over the shorts. We had to have a small strap press studded under the shoulder of the top to makes sure that no bra straps were showing and no jewellery could be worn - the officials of the day would turn in their graves if they saw what is now standard athletic attire!
Ringwood Women's Amateur Athletic Club's first season - 1961-62, competing at Royal Park West ground. The track was cinder, the high jump pit was sand and spikes were black leather with non removable, very long and thick "nails" attached.
Although the men's Club began the following year, we would not really have known much about it, such was the strict segregation of the sport. The only time you got to see an athlete of the opposite sex was at the occasional "invitation meetings" that were held by come Clubs. Even separate Championships were held.
The women's competition moved to "new Royal Park", which was on the other side of the zoo and is now the State Hockey Centre. This track was grass grown on a cinder base and was beautiful to run on - as long as it wasn't wet (no all weather tracks in those days). We got to run on Olympic Park (the men's Interclub venue) every now and then and that was exciting as it was a bituminised track.
We had lots of fun in those eariy days and there was a very strong Club spirit and it was not long before Ringwood athletes became prominent and Jenny Orr became our first Olympian.
3 I retired from the track in 1974 (except for a brief sojourn running in the Vets) but returned to the Club in 1995 to begin coaching. The Ringwood Athletic Club and, in fact. Athletics as a sport was very different to when I had been an athlete. Tracks had tuned red , uniforms had gone skimpy and fluoro, you were not an athlete of note unless you wore the obligatory gold chain and wrap around sunnies when you competed, women were not now allow to pole vault, triple jump and steeplechase and lycra had become the material of choice. I could say "well in the good old days...." But I won't because I think it is just great and just wish I could have "strutted my stuff' like the athletes of today can.
Congratulations to Ringwood Athletic Club for 50 fabulously successful years and I am sure that we will be around (the Club that is !!!!) for at least 50 more.
I have added the next 20 years to the Special Addition Pack Run, 1961 - 1992 which was edited by Chris Tew for our 30'^ Anniversary. Thank you to Chris and her team for the great work they did In starting this tradition and I offer you some more snippets of information and fun from 1992 - 2012.
Lyn Bartold (Evans) Life Member and Foundation member of Ringwood Atfiletic Club
CAIL FQR ATHLETIC CLU
Formation of a Riiyiwood Ainateur Athletic Club U one of the favoured projects of tfie Mayor of Ringwood, Cr. R. C..Ho'rman,_for"thi^ |reor.'!^ , Cf. Horoun siid-this week that-tlerberce .wer.were'-mane inany •" ' jftT^ tti in the Ringwood area -who • were prospective hen for a local atlilttic club. t'r. noman said keen younp athlcfes leaving local high ook hare to join the Mountain District or Box Hill Aiiia- tenr Athletic Cluho! - • • .
twn of »n' fclbiftic clut. tie keen yount otlilete* wiv-T J i» m U» luif m*T mrlrt »omt tue/•III u Cr. Birmao mtid oae of tesialcc tipc durtnc Uie nnl TwjuuemmU ot the Be tb*k 1 club wjM b« a •ecrtUjy. r.mneT7. nrenlDf. JsbOM Met. East RlnrwondJ tad h« app«a'et3 l^f u^jm The fttxicUoa muf be Md other unv wocifl peo^! tateirned la »ortrta« In vMa Jtel UdBTM lor U| tiOM capaotr to cor.Ucttilm. prelude to «"ne» ora Formation of the Ringwood Women's Amateur Athletic Club In July 1961, the Mayor of Ringwood, Cr. Bob Honnan called a meting of interested parents to ascertain if there was a possibility of an Athletic Club being established in Ringwood. At that meeting it was seen that the women were in fact interested in establishing a Club. A further meeting was held with representatives of the VSAAA in attendance and so the Ringwood Women's Amateur Athletic Club was born. The first Office Bearers elected at this meeting were: • President: Denise Densham • Secretary: Evelyn Rutledge • Treasurer: Linda Evans Mariene Wan^en became the first Coach. The first Club Champion of the RWAAC was Wendy Rutledge. Joining fees were set at ten shillings for Seniors ($1.00 for the young and not so young) and five shillings for Juniors. The Club uniform consisted of a bottle green top with gold monogram and black shorts. Geoff Wan-en designed the Club's monogram - a gold tree on a green background, the five branches of the tree symbolising the five branches of athletics. Training took place at the Ringwood East Football Oval, and was shared with footballers, cricketers and dogs. Competition was held at Royal Park with the Junior "F" Grade team being Premiers in their first year (it should be noted that the longest track event on the program was 880 yards). Formation of the Ringwood Amateur Athletic Club The Ringwood Men's Club was fonned on the 30* March 1962. This formation meeting was held at the home of fonner Olympian Les Perry. Office Bearers: • President: Bob Herman • Secretary: Ken Wass • Treasurer: Des O'Grady Committee Members: Les Peny, Geoff Wan-en, Tony Lethbridge and Gordon Stanley. It was decided that the Club uniform would consist of a green singlet and black shorts. 5 1962/63 First trophies for the 1962/63 Tracl< season were: Best Performance - international points system: Don Williams Best Sprint Performance: Brian Bayly Best Distance Performance: T. Honnan Best Field Peri'ormance: R. Lawton The first Men's Club Cross Country Rase was held around the Ringwood Lake and there were five entrants including John Stanley. The women's 1.5 mile was won by Sally Fawells in 11 min 24 sec, just ahead of Lea Jordan and Wendy Rutledge. Training mns through Sherbrooke Forest were very popular at this point in time and have continued to be throughout the Club's history. Initially, training was held at Ringwood East Number 2 oval, then at H. E. Parker Reserve where a throwing circle and Long/Triple Jump pit were installed. Training times were between 4.30 pm and 7.00 pm Monday and Wednesday for both the men's and women's clubs. Interclub Track and Field Competition for men was held at the Melboume University Venue. Two teams were fielded - 'D' Grade and Under 17 (this team reached the finals). For the RWAAC the 1962/63 Athletic Season was very successful with four Junior teams and one Senior team entered (33 registered competitors). The Senior 'E' Grade, Junior 'C and 'E' all won Premierships. The Junior 'G' Grade team were runners-up. Lyn Evans (Bartold) was chosen to represent Victoria in a Junior Triangular Meeting held in Adelaide, where she won the long jump and hurdles. Lyn was therefore the first member of the Club to represent her State in Australian Championships. • Senior Club Champion: Val Owen • Junior Club Champion: Lyn Evans The giris were indeed fit, because training could not begin until the equipment had been carried to the ground from the nearby homes of people who had volunteered to store it. No storage was available at the ground, so it became a familiar sight on training days to see young athletes carting all their equipment to and from the football ground. 1963/64 The 1963/64 season commenced with 43 giris registered. The 'B' Grade senior team were runners up, being defeated by 2 points by Eastern Suburbs. Senior Club Champion was Lesley Mayes and the Junior Champion Wendy Buchanan. Lesley, along with Lyn Evans and Linda Taylor represented Victoria in a match against South Australia. During the winter months the Ringwood women held indoor training at the Ringwood East Community Hall each Tuesday night Ringwood women competed in a three way meeting at Mentone against Strathmerton and Waveriey. Lyn Evans won the 100 yard and 220 yard events. Margaret Hoare won all three throwing events. Juniors Lee Knox won the Javelin and Helen Hall the Shot Put. 6 The women's Club also had two entrants in the Victorian Pentathlon Championships. Lesley Mayes placed 3'"'' and subsequently was selected in the Victorian Team to compete at the National Championships. Lyn Evans finished in 4'^ position. Ringwood Men's Club had also recruited extensively and 1963/64 saw forty three members running in the green and gold - sixteen seniors and twenty seven juniors. In the summer Interclub competition the Club fielded teams in the Senior 'C and 'D' Grades along with teams in the Junior 'B' and U15 competition. 1964/65 Due to the fact that Ringwood women were runners-up in 'B' Grade in the 1063/64 season, they were promoted to 'A' Grade and perfonried creditably in the stiffer competition. Junior 'C and 'F' Grade girls won their respective Premierships. • Senior Club Champion: Lesley Mayes • Junior Club Champion: Julie Dickson Margaret Hoare was selected in the Victorian Junior Team for the Australian Cross Country Championships held in Melbourne. Some Interclub rules found the in the VWAAA handbook 1964/65: • Events of 880 yards, 880 yards walk, 1 mile and 1 mile Walk are considered as distance races. • Girls under the age of 17 years WILL NOT be permitted to compete in the above events, except walks. • Seniors can compete in four events and Juniors in only three on the one day. COMMENT: women were delicate in those dayslH The VWAAA had records for all Grades' Lyn Evans held the 'B' Grade Long Jump record with a jump of 5.38 and Val Owen held the 'E' Grade 80 m Hurdles record with 12.2 sec. Ringwood 'E' Grade won the 4 X 110 yards relay with a time of 52.3 sec. Another interesting distance was the 300 yards relay. Junior 'F' Grade held this record with the time of 36.6 sec. Sunday training for the Women's Club involved a ain through Wan-andyte's hills. The Cross Country sessions, organised by coach Lorraine Stafford (a one time Australian Discus Champion), went up and down steep, slippery slopes and over rocks, logs and fences. It was never a monotonous run according to girls who participated - not when they were chased by wild horses. Said unflappable coach "it speeds up the girls" The Men's Club strengthened its grip on the D Grade Pennant for the Cross Country Season A "picture" night was organised to be held in the Ringwood East Community Hall Adults three shillings and six pence and Children one shilling and sixpence Supper will be served. In the annual 2 hour mn conducted by the Victorian Marathon Club at Mentone, Don Williams put in a super record breaking run. Don broke four Australian Junior records and five Victorian Junior records. They were: • Victorian One Hour 10 miles 600 yards • Australian and Victorian 20 km 72 min 57 sec • Australian and Victorian 15 miles 92 min 38 sec • Australian and Victorian 30 km 114 min 8 sec 7 1965/66 Each of the two Senior and two Junior teams entered in the women's competition reached the finals of Interclub. The 'B' Grade senior team finished equal with Sandringham and a medley relay was contested to break the tie. After a magnificent performance Ringwood won and were declared Premiers. Field games and Gross Country Coach, Mrs Lorraine Stafford, was Senior Vice President and member of the State Selection Committee. The longest race on this year's women's Interclub program was 1 mile. Cross Country Ringwood had more starters than any other club in the Victorian Men's 6 mile Championships held at Sandringham They were Don Williams, Danny Furlong, Dennis Brown and John Stanley, Dennis and Danny had to mn the last mile to the track because their car had broken down and they arrived just in time for the start. Weren't they lucky that the Egg Award didn't come on the scene for another 14 years as they may have been joint winners? Danny's other claim to fame was being editor of "Pack Run". Victorian Championships • Peter Mourik won the U/19 High Jump at the Victorian Championships with a leap of 1.88m and was selected in the Victorian Junior team for the Nationals. Peter, who is now a doctor in the Albury area, had a best height for the year of 1.93m. • Eddie Elderhurst won both the 880 yards (2 min 1.6 sec) and 1 mile (4min 37.7 sees) races in the Sub Junior age group at the Victorian Championships. In 1966, girls of 14 years were permitted to compete in events beyond 200m. The 100m Hurdles was added to the program for the Australian Championships. During the season Margaret Hoare threw the Senior Discus 35.68m, a distance which still sees her ranked sixth in the Ringwood all time lists. 1966/67 Cross Country Lavinia Petrie won the VWAAA Open 2 mile Cross Country Championship but was ineligible to hold the title as she had resided in Australia for only three months. She needed to be a resident of Australia for six months to be eligible to take any State or National title. Ringwood women had three members selected in the Victorian Cross Country team to compete in Brisbane, Lavinia Petrie (Open), Jenny Orr (Junior) and Robin Stockall (Sub Junior). It should be noted that the distances run by giris at this time were much different to those they run today. In 1966 Seniors raced over 3000m, Juniors 1500m and Sub Juniors a mere 800m !1! Not even a warm up (imagine Chris Tew writing that!). Margaret Hoare was selected in the Victorian Cross Country Team for the Australian Championship in Adelaide. Lavinia Petrie competed as an independent and won the event, but was unable to accept the Championship due to residential restrictions. Lavinia later represented Victorian the Australian Championships held in Hobart. The 1967 Australian Championships were held over metric distances for the first time. Brian Morgan took over track coaching for the women during the summer (he went on to coach many Club sprinters in the following years and after leaving the Club he was, and still is, a successful coach of professional mnners). • Senior Club Champion (women): Lyn Evans and Margaret Hoare • Junior Club Champion: B. Dickson 8 • Beryl Shearer Memorial Trophy: Lyn Evans • Eddie Elderhurst ran 3 min 50.1 sec for 1500 metres, a most impressive performance which still sees him ranked ninth in the 1500m men's all time lists. 1967/68 Summer Competition All five women's teams made the finals with Senior 'B' Grade taking out the Premiership and Junior 'C Grade runners up. Men's 'B' Grade were also Premiers for the summer season. Victorian and Australian Titles • Lomaine Stafford, a former Australian and Victorian Discus Champion, now a Ringwood member was a leading walker in the State. She won the Open 800m Walk and was 2"'^ in the 1500m Walk at the State Championships. Quite a mixed bag of events. • Jenny Orr won the Junior 800m and finished 2"'^ to ex Olympian Brenda Cam in both the 800m and 1500m Senior titles. A great effort for a 14 year old/ • At the Australian Championships, Lorraine Stafford placed 3''^ in the 1500m Open Walk and Jenny Orr was 3^^ in the Junior 800m and 4* in the Open 1500m. The Victorian Women's Championships will long be remembered, if not for the performances, then for the heat On the first day Melbourne recorded its highest temperature 107.5°F (42°). The second day was a much cooler 97°F. Despite the conditions Lorraine Stafford won the Open 800m Walk, Jenny Orr won the Junior 800m and Marilyn Curry was Z"^ in both the Junior Discus and Shot Put Cross Country Lavinia Petrie, Jenny Orr and Robyn Stockall were 2"'', 3'''' and 6* in their respective races at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Brisbane. Each of them having won Victorian Cross Country titles in their respective age groups. The Men's 'C Grade Cross Country team had a great year, winning the Premiership. They won both the 5 mile and 10 mile CCC of Victoria and were runners up in the 10km CCC and 10 mile Road Race Championship. 1968/69 IVlullum Reserve Permission was given by the Ringwood Council for both the Men's and Women's Athletic Clubs to use Mullum Reserve for training Monday to Friday evenings at a charge of $7.50 each per annum (Oh! If only we could get the A. C. Robertson Field at this rate) Clubrooms at this stage were under construction. Annual subscriptions for the Women's Club wee $3.00 over 16 years at 1^' September and $2.00 for girls under 16 years. The Schoolboys CCC of Victoria, Grant Hardy placed 3^'' in the Open 4 mile event and Mark Mclnerney won the U/15 4 miles - 22 min 58 sec. Robert Lethbridge won the Long Jump 6.85m at the Shell East Coast Sub-Junior meeting in Sydney. During the Interclub season, John Stanley set a new Club Record for the 3000m Steeplechase with a time of 9 min 03.8 sec. While this performance has been threatened by several athletes, it has withstood literally the test of time and still stands today. 9 During the season Marilyn Cuny three the Senior Discus 46.66m, and a distance which still sees her ranked 2"'' in the Ringwood all time lists while Bernadette Jones throw of 35.35m places her 7*. 1969/70 Cross Country • At the Victorian Cross Country Championships, Lavinia Petrie placed 2"'' in the Senior 3000m. • Jenny Orr won the Junior 1500m (this was the third successive season in which Jenny was undefeated in Junior ranks in Victoria) • The Senior Road Relay team consisting of Lavinia Petrie, Use Schneider and Pam Watts gained a silver medal and the Junior Road Relay team consisting of Jenny Orr, Margaret Curry and Bemadette Jones also won the silver. Australian and Victorian Championships • At the Australian titles, Jenny Om won the Junior 800m in 2 min 12.13 sec and the 1500m in 4 min 35.6 sec. • In the Victorian titles Jenny was 2"^ in the Open 800m and won the Junior 800m (2 min 14.1 sec), Marilyn Cuny was 3'''* in the Open Discus, while in the Sub Junior events Kirsteen Famance placed 3^'' in the 60m Hurdles and 2"'^ in the High Jump. Jenny Orr set the Victorian Senior and Junior 1500m record (4 min 34.1 sec) and a Victorian Junior 800m record (2 min 12.3 sec). Mrs Jean Hardy was at her usual hard working best, hosting a Crazy Whist night, organising a Street Stall and a Film Night, which benefited the Clubs finances handsomely. Both the men's and women's Clubs now have the use of Clubrooms at Mullum Reserve. A number of working bees were conducted during the year to establish a jumps mn up and pit. Shot and Discus rings were also installed. 1970/71 Ex Olympian Les Peny (also Secretary of Men's Club) proved himself to be the No 1 over 40 distance runner in the state. There were some very successful Ringwood athletes in the Victorian Championships. Robert: Lethbridge won the Junior Pentathlon recording an Australian Record score. Ian McConnell, Mark Hogarth, Cari Dillon and John Stanley all won Bronze medals. Robert and Ian have been selected as members of the Australian team to compete in the Australian Championships in Brisbane. World University Games John Stanley (a foundation member) represented Australia at the Worid University Games in Turin, Italy. Summer Competition The RWAAC fielded three Open and two Junior teams, for a very successful Interclub season. The Open 'D' Grade team won the Pennant at Royal Park and the Open 'A' Grade made the final four. 10 Australian and Victorian Championships Many individual successes were achieved in Australian and Victorian Titles: • Jenny Orr won the 1500m (4 min 28.5 sec), and took the silver medal in the 800m (2 min 7.1 sec) at the Australian Championships. In the Victorian Championships Jenny won the Open 1500m (4 min 40.1 sec) the Junior 800m (2min 13.2 sec) and was 2"'^ in the Open 800m. For these achievements she was awarded the Sir Frank Beaurepaire Trophy for the Number 1 • Athlete in Open Competition (which also meant she wore the No 1 competition number with laurel wreath). Jenny broke the Victorian Junior 800m record with a run of 2 min 10.4 sec. • Bernadette Jones won the Junior Victorian Discus throw 35.59m and was 3''" In that event at the Australian Championships. • Marilyn Curry (a Club record holder for many years) won a silver medal in the Open Discus at the Victorian Championships. She was 5'^ in the Australian Championships - 40.79m. • Lyn Bartold was 3"' in the 100m Hurdles and 2"'^ in the 200m Hurdles in the Open Victorian Championships. • Sue Orr took the silver medal in the Sub Junior 800m Walk. Cross Country Jenny Orr and Lavinia Petrie took out 1st and 3"^ places respectively in the Victorian 5000m Cross Country Championships. Jenny and Lavinia, along with Teresa Carter, won the Senior 3 x 3000m CC title (11 min 35.0 sec). Mrs Linda Evans retired from the committee after 10 years of service. Mrs Evans handled the financial acrobatics and managed to keep the Club solvent. During this era the "Dads" of the Club had their own Social Committee, their fundraising efforts helped to supply the giris with their Annual Trophies and much needed equipment. Life Memberships of the RWAAC were awarded for the first time with the recipients being Linda Evans, Lyn Bartold and Evelyn Rutledge for services rendered to the club The wetter the run, the greater the fun! .\ndrc Lambden, .lacqui Perkins, Lavinia Pctric, Anne Lord 11 1971 -1981 1971/72 Australian Championsiiip At the Australian Championship held in Perth, Jenny Orr out ran two visiting Kenyans to win the Open 1500m in 4 min 22.7 sec. She also placed 3'"'' in the 800m. Margaret Koscik won the silver medal in the Javelin. Victorian Championships • Robert Lethbridge went medal collecting at the Victorian Track and Field Championships. His 3'^'' place in the Open Decathlon (6476 points) was a new Australian Junior record. He also won both the U/19 Long Jump 7.16m, Javelin - 64.44m and was 3'''^ in the Open Javelin. Ringwood was well represented at the Women's Victorian Championships this year with a total of thirteen competitors, all of whom did very well. • Robyn Sands won the Sub Junior 200m (27.2 sec) and placed 2"'' in the Sub Junior 100m. • Margaret Koscik 1^ place Open Javelin (46.56m) • Marilyn Curry 3''^ Open Discus. • Sue On- placed 2"" Sub Junior 800m Walk • Lyn Bartold collected a string of silver medals in the 100m Hurdles, 200m Hurdles and Long Jump and was 5* in the Open Pentathlon. . Jenny Orr won the Open 1500m (4min 22.3 sec) and placed 2"^ in the 800m. In his report, the Coach, Ron Smith wrote that the "Team...must do extra-ordinary things to achieve results. This means training. Success is only achieved by the minority of people because to be successful one must do extra-ordinary things. If we are to achieve results never before accomplished we must expect to employ met6hods never before attempted (training to a maximum). People....don't TRAIN to fail - but do fail to TRAIN." 1972/73 Olympics - Munich Jenny On" represented Australia in both the 800m and 1500m events at the Munich Olympics. Jenny was 5* in her heat of the 800m (2 min 4.5 sec) which still remains as the Club record. She recorded 4 min 8.1 sec in her heat of the 1500m and her time for 8*^ place in the final was 4 min 12.5 sec. This was the first time that the 1500m for women had been contested at the Olympic Games. Jenny's time in the heat was to remain the Australian Open record until 1996. In one of her wann-up races prior to the Olympics Jenny won the Polish 1500m title. Gerry Vander Ploeg claimed a new record for the Lighthouse run at Wilsons Promontory (3hr 56 min). Geny, John Shanahan, John James, Mark Hogarth and other hardier Club members would do training runs through Sherbrooke Forest most Sundays. These were for runners who felt they needed a long hard run to supplement their track training (and were a bit light on brains). Now for a quote from the Men's 11* Annual report: 12 "Members, I think we must agree 1972/73 was not a vintage year for the Ringwood Club! In tenns of team successes it was somewhat a lean year when not one of our teams reached a final four in any grade, no did the Club gain a Cross Country pennant during the winter". Australian and Victorian Championships One of the outstanding performances of the year was Robert Lethbridge's Victorian Decathlon title with a total of 6900 points. Unfortunately injury forced his withdrawal from the Australian titles. At the Australian Championships Jenny Om won the Open 1500m (4 min 24.4 sec), and was S"' in the 800m. Lyn Bartold was 3"^ in the 200m Hurdles. Cross Country Titles Lavinia Petrie won the Victorian Open 5000m (18 min 28.0 sec) and followed this up with a S^'' in the National titles. The Senior team of Lavinia, Pat Maughan and Elvira Allison outclassed all other teams to win the Victorian 3 x 3000m Cross Country Relay title in the record time of 32 min 25 sec. The Junior team of Ann Purbrick, Teresa Carter and Janice Skeny were runners in the 3 x 1500m. 1973/74 • John Shanahan completes the Lighthouse mn (at the Prom for the uninitiated) in 3 hr 47 min - 9 minutes faster than the previous Club best time held by Gerry Vander Ploeg Commonwealth Games - Auckland Robert Lethbridge completed a successful season with his selection in the Australian team for the Commonwealth Games. Robert was the first RAAC member to compete at this level and went on to collect bronze in the Decathlon with a score of 7270 points. His performances were 100m-11.26, LJ-7.18, SP-11.28, HJ - 1.91, 400m-48.6, IIOmH-15.85, Disc- 36.28m, Pole-3.40, Jav-69.22, 1500m 4.30.4. Robert's score was a personal best as were his performances in the High Jump and 400 metres. Jenny Orr was also a member of the Australian team in Auckland. Her time for 7* in the final of the 1500m was 4 min 22.5 sec. Jenny celebrated her 21^' birthday at the Games. Jenny's father and coach, Theo, attended the Games as a spectator. He also filled in a bit of time winning a Veteran's 1500m in Christchurch as well as doing the regulation sightseeing. Australian and Victorian Titles Mark Hogarth broke the Australian Junior 800 metres record with a time of 1 min 49.7 sec. This record remained intact until 1990 when Mark Holcombe - a member of the Dandenong Club and later to join Ringwood - lowered the time. Mark's time still remains a Club Junior record. In the Australian Track and Field Championships, Jenny Om won the 1500m (4 min 25.0 sec) 3000 (9 mins 44.3 sec) and was 3"^ in the 8000m. Lavinia Petrie was 3'''' in the 3000m. Jenny's win in the Victorian titles were quicker 1500m (4 min 18.6 sec), 3000m (9 min 29.3 sec). 13 In the Junior ranl The men displayed talents across a wide range of events including gold medals to Robert Lethbridge (Javelin), Ian McConnell (800 metres) and Neil McKem, John James, Ian McConnell and Mark Hogarth (4 x 800m Relay - 7 min 37.2 sec) at the State titles. John Stanley represented Australia in the Peace Marathon, Kosice, Czechoslovakia; finishing 28* with a time of 2 hr 29 min while John Shanahan won the 15 mile 'King of the Mountain' at Traralgon. Following many years of competition at Royal Park, the women moved to Aberfeldie where they remained till the merger of the men's and women's competition in 1977/78. This came at the request of Ringwood due to the improved facilities available at this venue. Ringwood was getting closer to moving from Mullum with the completion of earthworks at Proclamation Park - the site of the proposed new athletic track. Lavinia Petrie won the Australian 5000m CCC -18 min 52,0 sec and was 2"'' in the Victorian equivalent, Pat Maughan placed 3''^. Ringwood once again won the 3 x 3000 Relay title in 33 min 8.0 sec. 1974/75 Ringwood Men's Senior teams were very successful with an Association win in 'B' Grade ensuring promotion to the coveted 'A' Grade. This was to herald the start of Ringwood's second foray into the ranks of 'A' Grade (later to be known as State League). To highlight this strength, a total of 57 Club records were broken during the season and Club membership exceeded 100 for the first time (41 seniors, 60 juniors and 8 officials). The highlight of the summer season was a first placing by Robert Lethbridge in the Australian Decathlon Championship with a total of 7204 points. Bronze medals in the junior ranks went to Sue Omfin the 1500m Walk and Chris Sharp in the High Jump. The Ringwood Women's Club had two competitors in the International 10 km race in Puerto Rico. Jenny Orr finished 3'''' and Lavinia Petrie 7* helping the team to an excellent 2"*^ place in the team's race. Lavinia was also selected as Captain/Manager of the Australian Team to compete in the 4000 metres Cross Country Championship in Morocco. Back on home soil, Jenny won the Australian 5km Cross Country Championship. Fund Raising In the days prior to sponsorship, who can forget the 6000 phone books lining the walls of the gym. In this major fund raising effort (really just a ploy by Tony Lethbridge to get people fit prior to the season) the Club earned in excess of $400 (six broken trailers, twelve physiotherapist appointments etc.) Recruiting To assist in recnjitment, Ringwood AAC put an advertisement in the English athletics magazine 'Athletics Weekly' inviting any overseas athletes interested in coming to Australia to join the RAAC. Three athletes responded to the invitation, with the first, Alan Gibson, arriving on October 3'''^. Alan went on to become one of Ringwood's leading middle distance mnners through the 70's and 80's and still holds the Club 1500m record and ranks second in the 800m. Alan later competed in Veterans and Masters Championships. Theo Orr ran a worid best 1500m time of 4 min 13 sec in the Victorian Veteran Championships. 14 1975/76 Proclamation Park Opens Good news - Farewell Mullum. The 'RESLITE' track has finally been laid at Proclamation Park, the pavilion was also completed and the transfer from Mullum could finally take place. The official opening of the A. C. Robertson Field (named after the City Engineer at Ringwood who was instrumental in the track's development) was held on Sunday 26* October 1975 with a successful Track and Field meeting featuring many Olympians. Many track records were created during the meeting and several still remain intact today. Theo Orr was again setting the track on fire with a Worid Record in the 50-59 category for the 3000m with a time of 9 min 23 sec. This perfonnance occurred at the Veterans Worid Championships held in Canada. Theo followed this perfonnance with another gold medal in the 10,000m and a silver medal in the 5000m. For the first time since the inception of the women's club, the uniform was modified to assist with 'being seen' at the finish line. The new unifonn comprised a bottle green singlet with gold piping around the neck and armholes plus a 88mm gold circle and tree. Black shorts with a gold stripe down both sides completed the outfit. Training at Proclamation Park in the dark was no pushover. There was no chance to go slow or hide during recovery periods between reps. Good Old Coach thinks of everything - not only did Tony Lethbridge dream up the torture sessions, but, he also camied a big powerful torch to watch over his athletes and keep them moving. Black clothing, however, was in vogue as it was for harder for 'Coach' to see whether you were 'bludging' down the back straight. Australian Championships The Australian Championships, for men and women athletes, were held in Melbourne at Olympic Park (in the past these were separate events like segregated Interclub). Manageress of the women's team was our own Lavinia Petrie. • Sue On" won a bronze medal in the Open 3000m Walk and silver in the Junior 1500m Walk • Chris Sharp won a bronze in the Junior High Jump -1.74m (a Victorian Junior record) • In the Australian CCC Janine McFadzean won the Sub Junior 1500m (4 min 50.3 sec) Victorian Cross Country Championships Ringwood women took medals in all of the Relays. Silver in the Open 3 x 3000m, Gold in the Junior 3 x 2000 m and Gold again in the Sub Junior 3 x 1000m. Lavinia Petrie placed 3''' in the Senior 5000m and in the Junior 3000m Marie Dosser and Rhonda Taylor finished 2"'^ and 3'"'^ respectively. Sue On-was 3'''' in the Junior 3000m Road Walk. Victorian Championships • The Junior 1500m saw a clean sweep for Ringwood women. Janine McFadzean 1^' (4 min 39.7 sec), Rhonda Taylor 2"'' (4 min 39.8 sec) and Marie Dosser 3'''' (4 min 41.2 sec). Janine also placed 2"'^ in the 800m. • Sue On-won both the Junior 1500m Walk (7 min 13 sec) and Junior 3000m Walk (16 min 27.8 sec). • Chris Sharp won the Junior Pentathlon by 2 points (3239 points) and was 2""^ in the Open High Jump (1.70m) 15 The Sub Junior 4 x 400m relay team of Sue David, Mary Sharp, Anne Lord and Kelly Sharp won the bronze medal (4 min 17.6 sec). 1976/77 A Club record established this year (still to be beaten) saw seven members of the one family registered with the Club at the same time, Theo, Pat, Jenny, Rob, Ken, Sue and Marilyn Orr (to this can also be added Ian McConnell and Bmce Cook). Australian Cross Country Championships The Junior 3000m run was an exciting affair with the Ringwood girls representing Victoria and taking all three places.; Rhonda Taylor 1^' (10 min 37.0 sec) Anne Lord l"'^ and Marie Dosser 3''', the three giris also won all of the medals in the Victorian Championship, however Anne was 1^' (10 min 35 sec) and Rhonda 2""*. They also won the 3 x 2000m Relay (19 min 8.0 sec). Sue On- was 2"'' in the Open 5000m Walk. She won the Victorian Championship in 27 min 33 sec. Australian Track and Field Championships • Sue Orr won the Open 3000m (14 min 9.2 sec) • Janine McFadzean won the Junior 800m (2 min 11.4 sec) • Ann Lord won the Junior 1500m (4 min 36.0 sec) Victorian Championships • Rhonda Taylor was 3'"'' in the Open 800m and finished 2"'' in the 1500m just in front of Lavinia Petrie 3'^ • Chris Sharp was 2"^" in the Open High Jump and 3'''' in the Junior Pentathlon • Ann Lord won the Junior 1500m with Marie Dosser in 2"'' place • Janine McFadzean was 3'''' in the Junior 400m Rules of Competition Around this time the women's njle book included some interesting items on competitors' uniforms. They are summarised as follows: • Shorts were not to be too brief or tight. Blouse must meet shorts at back when bending. • All giris to wear matching briefs under shorts. • All seniors to wear strong bras and junior to do same when necessary. 1977/78 This year, the men and women shared the same venue for Interclub competition, with Ringwood teams competing at the Doncaster Venue. Results from the men's winter season saw Ringwood finish third in the Cross Country aggregate and second in the road races. To alleviate the congestion in the existing Clubrooms at Proclamation Park, a new storeroom was built next to the Long Jump run up, the former storeroom being converted into a weights gym, leaving the gymnasium free for general use, such as volleyball. Mike Willis placed S"' in the 400m (46.92 sec) at the Pacific Conference Games in Canberra and was also a member of the bronze medal winning 4 x 400m Relay team. Australian and Victorian Championships • Alan Gibson took out three top events - Open Victoria 1500m, The John Landy Mile and the Inaugural Moomba Mile. • Sue Om had a great year winning the Australian 1500m Road Walk (24 min 52,4 sec), the Australian 5000m Track Walk in a new Australian record 24 min 21.4 sec and both the Victorian 300m Walk (13 min 47.5 sec) and 5000m Walk (24 min 29.5 sec). • Anne Lord won both the Victorian and Australian Junior 3000m CCC (10 min 20 sec and 11 min 1.6 sec). • Janine McFadzean broke Junior Victorian records in the 800m (2 min 9,7 sec) and 1500m (4 min 28.6 sec). • Rhonda Taylor won the Victorian Open 3000m (9min 40.3 sec) Chris Sharp was 2"^ once again in the Open High Jump. • Marcia Egan was 2"^* in both Junior Walks at the Victorian titles • In the Sub Junior ranks Kerri Nichols placed 2"^* in the 400m and Debbie Singleton was 3'''^ in the 1500m Walk. 1978/79 Due to the generosity of a number of business finns and individual donors, the men Club acquired perpetual trophies for each of the senior events, plus perpetual trophies for the best performance by underage athletes in each age group. To this day, the display of trophies looks absolutely dazzling on presentation night, but spare a thought for the one who gets the job of polishing them before the big night! The Mens 'A' Grade Cross Country team finished third. In Track and Field 'A' Grade finished 7*, but the 'A' Resen/e team were relegated to 'B' Grade. Alan Gibson again won the State 1500m title, but controversy surrounded the results when 75 minutes of protesting were required to uphold the verdict over Menton's Paul Grinsted. Electronic timing had both athletes at 3 min 49.67 sec. Championships In the Australian CCC Anne Lord once again was the gold medallist in the Junior 3000m (9 min 42 sec) and Debbie Singleton won the Sub Junior 1500m Road Walk (6 min 50.5 sec) Anne won the 17 Junior 1500m, 3000m double at both Victorian and Australian Championships with her best times for the season 4 min 22.47 sec and 9 min 45.5 sec were both new Australian Junior records. Rhonda Taylor won the National 3000m title (9min 37.07 sec) and the Victorian 1500m (4 min 28.7 sec). Chris Sharp was 2"'' in the Open High Jump 1.76m. Marcia Egan was 2"'' in both Victorian Junior Walks 3000m W (15 min 28.9 sec and 5000mW (27min 5.5 sec). A canteen was njn at Proclamation Park on school sport days to raise money for the Athletic Clubs and to relieve school of their one and two cent pieces!! Initially this was mn by Fae Sharp then later by Judy Walters along with their helpers. 1979/80 Club Uniform Change The traditional Ringwood singlet comprising the 'Ringed Tree' and black shoriis was modified this year to ensure that both officials and the media (TV especially) noticed the Club. The new singlet was bottle green with gold piping and the word 'RINGWOOD' emblazoned across the chest. Green short;s replaced the "old black footy shorts". Championships/Lugano Cup • Sue Omtook part; in the Lugano Cup, an international walking competition and finished 5* in the excellent time of 23 min 25.6 sec. Sue dominated walk events this season winning the Victorian Open Road Walk, 3000mW (13 min 44.3 sec) and 5000mW (23 min 22.8 sec). She also won these events at the Nationals. • The first Women's Marathon Championship held at Point Cook was won by Lavinia Petrie. Her time was 3 hr 2 min 7 sec. • Anne Lord won the Victorian 3000m (9 min 26.9 sec) and was 2"'^ in this event at the Nationals. • Rhonda Taylor won the Victorian 1500m (4 min 30.8 sec). • Marcia Egan was 2"'^ in the Victorian Junior 3000m Walk and 3''' in the 5000m Walk. • Carolyn Neilson was 2"'' in the Victorian Sub Junior (U/15) 800m and 3'"'^ in the 1500m. The Sub Junior U14 Victorian titles saw Leanne Johnson win the 800m (2 min 20.6 sec), beating twin sister Kim into 2"*^ place. Leanne was also 2"'' in the 400m and Kim won her second silver medal in the 1500m. Louise Nicholson won a silver medal in the 1500m Walk. 1980/81 A Grade Cross Country Premiership Ringwood men won their first 'A' Grade Cross Country Premiership. Andre Lambden put in some fine runs, which won for him the Cross Country Athlete of the year. A winning Victorian U14 team in the Australian Federation Race Walk Championships comprised solely Ringwood members. Paul Copeland finished 2"'', Andrew Hanis 3"^, Stuart Walters 4* and Kevin Lowden 7*. The Ringwood team set a Victorian and Australian record for the men's 4 x 800m Relay with a time of 7 min 28.8 sec. The team comprised Andre Lambden, Scott Chestennan, Alan Gibson and IMike Willis. Mike Willis was a member of the Australian team competing in the Pacific Conference Games in Auckland. He won a bronze medal in the 400m (42.92 sec) and was a member of the gold medal winning 4 x 400m Relay team. World Cross Country Championships Anne Lord and Rhonda Mallinder competed for Australia in the Worid Cross Country Championships that were held in Spain. Australian Championships Mike Willis went on later in the year to become the Australian Open 400m Champion with a time of 46.54 sec. Louise Nicholson won the Australian Junior 3000m Walk (14 min 42.92 sec). Louise broke the Australian Sub Junior record for this event during the season - 14 min 17.1 sec. Sue Cook had a successful year winning the Victorian and Australian Open road walks. She competed in Norway and Sweden with 7 wins and later in the year won the Women's Worid Walking Race in New York. Sue also broke Australian records in the 1500m and 3000m Walks. Her times were 6 min 19.0 sec and 13 min 28.8 sec respectively. Anne Lord won the Australian 10km road championship. Victorian Championships • Anne Lord won both the 1500m (4min 27.a sec) and 3000m (9 min 36.1 sec). Rhonda Mallinder was 3"''^ in both races. • Sue Cook took out the Walk double: 3000m - 13 min 28.8 sec and 5000m - 25 min 26.9 sec. She also won the 5000m Road Walk - 23 min 13 sec. • Kirsteen Farrance won a silver medal in the Open Heptathlon. . Louise Nicholson won both U15 Walks: 1500m (6 min 53.8 sec), 3000m (15 min 0.5 sec). . Leanne Johnson placed 2"'' in both the U/15 400m and 800m. . Kim Johnson was 3'"'' in the U/15 800m and 2""^ in the 1500m. • Anne Lord won the Open 4000m CCC - 14 min 7 sec. • Ringwood Women's Open 3 x 3000 Relay won and the Junior 3 x 2000m team placed 3''''. Graeme Kennedy won the Nike International Marathon in Canberra in record time (2 hrs 15 min 16 sec) taking more than two minutes from the previous record. Inaugural Enfield Challenge Instead of going to the 'Prom' for the Queen's Birt;hday weekend the inaugural Ringwood versus Enfield Harriers (South Australia) Cross Country Challenge was held. The nine kilometre race started and finished in Kallista, included the famous 'aeroplane hill' and Enfield defeated Ringwood. 19 1981 -1991 1981/82 Alan Gibson won his fourth Moomba Mile-4 min 14.3 sec (he also won in 78, 79 and 80). Twenty members, families and friends travelled to South Australia for the annual Enfield Harriers Challenge. Despite failing to bring home 'The Ashes" everyone had a wonderful weekend eating freshly baked tarts and cakes - no wonder they stmggled on the day of the big race. Mike Willis was a member of the Oceania Team competing in the Worid Cup. In Italy. Mike competed in the 4 x 400 Relay which finished in 7* place. Junior men's teams ran off with most of the Premierships at Doncaster. Pennants won were U15 A and B, U14 A and B, U13 A and B. Jeff McNeil ran a worid record for the blind in the 5000m (16 min 18 sec). Jeffs blindness was caused by glaucoma and when running he could just discern the white plinth on the inside of the track. The team of Nikki Clarke, Trish O'Brien and Heather Kirkpatrick were winners of the Moomba/Sport Exacto Team Trot -1^' Athletic Club. Egg Award The following ditty was presented at Presentation Night in recognition of serv'ices rendered (author C.W. Viney) Our Captain was wom'ed, the coach was grim Today's competition was tight and we had to win. But the Long Jump was next and here was our chance To pick up some big points and further advance The Coach nodded to the Captain who repiied with a grin Yes we had the man who surely could win Now the word spread excitedly around the track The veteran from Ringwood was making a comeback The moment arrived, the crowd stood still Then he was off like a flash; what a thrill. He kicked from the board, then hung in the air Such grace, such beauty, the technique was still there After landing In the pit with a mouth full of sand All eyes turned to the judge; tape measure In hand We waited for the result, for what seemed forever Finally with a loud voice he called - UNDERMEASURE So there It was, not a point did we score For the jump was short: by a metre or more And the man tonight we all applaud For his achievement of wining the EGG AWARD The man who donned the Ringwood greens Was none other than MRPAULJENES. 20 AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVES The Ringwood Athletic Club has an incredible and enviable history of athletes who have represented Australia in what is a relatively short athletic experience. The International Competitions in which they have competed are many and varied, including Worid Transplant Games and the Deaflympic Games Ringwood Club members have even represented Australia in sports other than athletics. Our first International competitor, John Stanley competed in the Worid University Games in 1970 and Jenny On" was ourfirst Olympian in 1972 The Ringwood Athletic Club inc website has an extensive list of these representatives, where they competed and in which events and well as links to the results that athlete achieved. It is important that we acknowledge the achievements of these athletes on our 50* Anniversary. Athletes selected by Athletics Australia or by Australian Olympic Commission Craig Appleby Cecilia Massie Berti Paul Copeland Cecilia Mcintosh David Culbert Shane McKenzie Geoff Culbert John Meszaros Lisa Dick Kimberiey Mulhall David Fraser Jenny Om Catherine Freeman Sue On- Benn Harradine Steven Page Aaron Hartney Nova Peris-Kneebone Lauren Hewitt Jacqueline Perkins Neil Honey June Petrie Graeme Kennedy Lavinia Petrie Robert Lethbridge Werner Reiterer Anne Lord John Stanley Kevin Lowden Leigh Stuart Calista Lyon Rochelle Sutton Rhonda Mallinder Kyle Vander-Kuyp Scott Martin Michael Willis Janine McFadzean Athletes selected to compete for Australia by other Australian Organisations Penny Brown John Eden Tracey Micallef-Reid Seona Rough Christine Tew Ian Speed We salute these athletes for their contribution to Ringwood Athletic Club 2001-2002 The wetter the run, the greater the funi Andre Lambden, Jacqui Perkins, Lavinia Petrie, Anne Lord Local Athletes In Winning Run IN SPITE of rainy conditions, members of •he Ringwood Men's Athletic Club recorded fine performances to win both "C" ond "i" grades by large margins on Saturday. The "C grade tt'rttn hin ov.'u juihur olub re• dtfeatvd Collingwoud cord fur the hop, st«p 81 p<>rntj> to 50, Don and Jump by clean ui; ?,y Williams' club record ft. 4- in. (if 10 mins. 8 sec. for He also aou th-j high th. ?Mt.'st pi-rform. the shot put with s niu'* hi this gr.ide. fhroM- of 29ft, .\e triple for John, FASTEST MILE r-ier McLmuhliij main- tamed his sprinting staiu- .ivliTi Sianlcy van hia dard tu win xhe 220 yard lasti'it iiiik- tu will" in 4 hurdles and tha lOO yard num. ZO set!. Dave dftsh. Hunt's form is improv• With only two more ing as the season prog- rounds of) Inter-club to re.ss'.'s and this week h« eo th's season b.jth 'C won the 100 yard dash and 'E' ijvnile teams are in 11.1 sec. in a position to make the Lutei his run iu the iinal four. V ;• .'IV i X no 'C grade's security de• \a!-(i i:-l:iy .-u'rifil this pends on victory in eaeh i :.•:•"•> ;o a i;i'--:ir .victory. of the follo%ving rounds and 'E' grade will need to , jjiuiheaik-d by John win at least one of them. liuvco utul Petei .Mc- ijiuj,--!!!;!! i;ru.sht:d the Kiebim.iid train 72 points i'. .('i!.u Biivi;<' broke The Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawlte congnlulaies Kyle Van Der Kuyp last Friday night at the Natioml Aboriginal Observance Day A ward Presentation at the Arts Centre, Peter's TWO ATHLETES WIN VIC. TITLES HIGHLIGHT of Ringwood Men'* AthleHc Club's most successful yeor yet were two wins in the recent Victorian championships. ScventvcD - }rar ~ old Sunday l-S-yearoW i,t>tii|>)iraUri« lijit. F«lcf MiHvik Hon tiK HUUie Eiderhur^l ouicb-.'ied He \vi>\n rjch race by Iwior (ufldM m biffb- ficW uf lop jilhietfii to Ic.iJinit from si.trt Jo hnish Jtunp chiuDploa'thip. He the Suic •vuh-junior m xht. nunnct uf l-;»nd% waft' iubsequeatly Mtlcded {under Hi tfSO yafOs cbam- Fllioii. to ftjpmtot Victoria In piooship io 2 mio. L6 "^'^ other alhktcs wbu pet- the forilicamiiig Anslni- Eildle lus ^tt to ^ de- j'ormed well arc ftichurd Ifaa i:biimpIoaKU|H at fralcd over Uie SS» yank PawliL. with J Javelin throw Perth. of 14M ft. I i'n.. and Peter Mclaughlin and John Jume^ m ihc hufdiev lind i^SO >arUx KEEPING AT IT HcKutor. hard InUolnt scMlom lUMkr tbe suid- ance u( tioncbcs Les Perry aMd Tony Lctfabrldee cDa- ttOoted ttuterlai^ iwwy imrmua be« per- formaam dnrtot tiK The E gr4de team rcacbed; } !he «mr-finaU aod !he C; j itrade leum remained in Ihe ; tiful four until the la-.! week ' uf ctwtipetilion. Peter Mourik Lethbridge all in, but won medal From RON CARTER CHRISTCHURCH. — Younx .Meh bourne icach^r Robon Lt'ihbndice haii never itccix so exhausted in sll his Jife as hs was last nighi. He hiij laJt (inishcd Itie Cwinm..n- w-jaUh GjmM* myst jinje'.linjt event, the dciJi:h;on. ind could harcly nuve. . 8tJi tu '..St y!>iin((Cf*. dccithhn roii In ;he evcni it »«s well wonh it- Icthbhdge. 20. produced three M h«st t\tr performincM la v/m aBa-na medal. And he w*t Juit t( points a-va; from a Silver medit U:ht>rid«*, wh-j ruiM with B. II*- aiv> had hif per«onaf bev hitit jump aod 400 netres durmg IM event. UMMHMIMML Culbert plans^ hard year off^ '» 1 1 ;UhkEes HONEY :: ma. tai: auit. CM. M,-,. •iM*. iM: tUa::' • • Cui&ett batttird Snjurr ihramewm Kurepc kiwi, aw up Uir - into il tjmeAu»!r.i!,3r. CK- n cirar that be waa ta>ka« fcr lome (anety. Ha wwi iKah axns a aocul iMtbaQ itiiaililiiii uua twwoft H la wTT flifljodt tD EDQOnu* yourwtf u ttw •Oft t,' lack up ecanpeliEiott," he iwd. -TT» deeathlw is hu4 pnblcn Ml Cutbtri'a txetlleaii wid one VMUI tnmllbwT icntf wUJ ae* a qukk Iflfr metrea ta 9pea liia, w •• aecflua* UtM •n put aa Md an> (J pet m*, tbf kot imuth. wBMHVtf Eh* UUCUJCM ht ttOOOCd 5f ,tl» onto or ti d^.; iMn due loUa ikK aadi cxiMactTe power, nt fattb! tonut lOIBi amia ud^ wta ae Bam of^ Freeman shines in 400m win By LEN JOHNSON win, but also aims to keep on In the 3000 metres Creighton Cathy Freeman has taken her improving right through to the turned the tables on Simon first steps towards a 400 metres world titles in .A,ugust. Chemoiywo and Joseph Kimani, medal at the world champion• The conditions made her the two Kenyans who had beat• ships in Gothenburg later this hold back in the first half of the en him a week earlier in the first year by defeating the reigning race. Freeman said. "The head• meeting in the series in Sao wind was so strong you didn't world champion, Jearl Miles of Paulo. Creighton outsprinterf feel like you were going any• the United States, in the New ihe Kenyan pair in the last 200 where down the back straight." York Grand Prix. metres after the pace had Both she and Miles moved Freeman was ranlced No. 2 in picked up appreciably in the together in the third 100 metres. the world last year, but there second half of the race. Freeman was less happy \vith were some who suggested this her performance in the 200 was due to the fact that many of metres in which she finished the top US runners, without a fourth in 22.84 .seconds. THE AGE major title to aim for. had a The race was won by Gwen PRICES down year. By defeating Miles at Torrence of the US iii 22.04, Rxommenieci ttnd Maximum onty. their first meeting of the season. with another American, Carlette MONDAY TO FRIDAY Freeman underlined the fact Guidry, second in 22.64 and VictorulSlhn, NSW,•S^^-E•^I«In SA by that she was no one-year won• NSWH-Sydiit»/sS"AuS7i^^ Mary Onyali, the Nigerian Pitndffi Is $faO der. sprinter Freeman beat to win Brok«n HilVACWooitn/NSW Sth, Cotttl QuMnslKid %\X De.spite being buffeted by a the Commonwealth gold medal Alice Spring*... strong headwind in the back last year, third. DinvirxXathiiriM..- . . - . tJS straight. Freeman won by three iOthtr ptKH; Pric* on ippiicition lo ntw»- "I was not 100 per cent confi• agant) metres in 51.52 seconds. In the dent going into the 200," Free• next event, Shaun Creighton man said from New York. PrlnM WKt puMMwd by STUART SMI- clinched a rare double for Aus• "i got a good start. My first SON, of 2S0 Spmar StraM. IMtxxnw, tralia at the top level of inter• 100 was good. Gwen blasted us, 30OO, for David Symt i Co. LimltKl, A.C N. 004 2«3 702, « 290 Sp«KW StrMt, national athletics when he out- but 1 stayed with Guidry on the HMoumo. Print Po« Appnnnd: PP 34a sprinted two Kenyan rivals to bend. I .started to over-stride on 034 00010 — wid ngMmd M a Na«i- win the 300() metres. the last part of the bend. I need papw at Uw BrWati r>oa« Otflok Freeman was happy witli her to work on that." • W i.H» M« OO » ma ta Lauren Hewitt J Life's second chance athletics u The Worid Transplant Games are all about Michael Rogers giving rt a go. and WHEN Sootia Rviw\s lUngno^^'Mi promoting organ donor with n lifis-thrf'alt'nint; kitlnoy dJH- ordf;r in she had no Idtxi it awareness lAouid ev'Mitu.illy h'.-iil fo an iri'.er- SEONA HOUGH ,national athletics cart>^r. Formerly a tai^mt'd n)ilt-r-skater, Rouph thouRht her ohanoi"! of Cf>ni- peting at an elite level were over plant athlt^tes RatbtT in Cannda in an?r she underwent a kidney tran,s- July. pUuit later that year. While Rijugh Hnjoys competing - She cont Jnueil to skate, but a trip t Competitors from the Ringwood Athletics Club tool< to the tracl< at Nunawading on Saturday for the opening round of action in this year's Athletics Victoria Summer Shield interclub series. More details at www.athsvic.org.au Anne Fiedler (Fearnley). Katie Moore, Stephanie Milic, Cathy Freeman Victorian 4 x 400m Champions 3 LIFE MEMBERS Throughout the past 50 years a number of members have been recognised for their outstanding service to the Club by being awarded Life Memberships. The list of Life Members of Ringwood Athletic Club is as follows:- Evelyn Rutledge* John Davidson* Linda Evans* Jenny McConnell nee Orr Lyn Bartold nee Evans Allan Stewart Lavinia Petrie Margaret Lord* Kirsteen Farrance Chris Tew nee Sharp Pat Orr Charles Hogarth Tiieo Orr* Phillip Molesworth Tony Lethbridge Ray McDonald Les Perry* Gus Puopolo Sue Cook nee Orr Jim Cain *Deceased We acknowledge the contribution made to the Club by our Life Members who have passed away Theo Orr was a coach and an athlete who also was the father of Australian Representatives Jenny and Sue. Theo competed for many years, achieving world times in Masters events IViargaret Lord was a keen club helper and official who joined the club with her daughter Anne. She officiated regulariy for over ten years, her favourite events being the throws. Linda Evans was a Foundation Member of the Women's Club and was persuaded to become the Honorary Treasurer of the Club, a role she held for 10 years. Evelyn Rutledge was also a Foundation Member of the Women's Club and she held the position of Honorary Secretary for the formative first 10 years. John Davidson transferred to RAC from Mountain Districts Club and was an official for many years. He officiated at Club, State, National and International level. Les Perry was a Foundation Member of the Men's Club and held the position of President. Les was a 2 time Olympian and he returned to competition when joining Ringwood and continued to do so for many years. The following members have been awarded Distinguished Service Awards for their contribution to the Club over a long period of time Dora Dosser Agnes Farrance Jean Hardy Fae Sharp Lan-aine Paul Barry Paul Jeanette Cain Jim Cain Anne Lord Gus Puopolo Ray McDonald Simon West Diane Lowden Ruby Lambden Denise Milic Peter Milic Carolyn Williams David Williams 1982/83 Women's Club 21 Birthday Celebration An informal celebration in the form of a Pancake Night was held on the 24* August at the Clubrooms. Later in the year, the City of Ringwood hosted a Civic Reception to mark the occasion. On this evening the Mayor Pat Gotlib, presented a perpetual trophy for the Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year. The award was won by Sue Cook (Orr) who had recently set world best performances in the 5000m and 10,000m Walks. Men's Club 20**^ Birthday Celebration A Spit Roast was held at the Clubrooms to celebrate the 20*'^ Anniversary of the men's Club. The 3'"'^ annual Ringwood/Enfield Haniers Challenge was held the next day, over a very hilly course, at Doongala National Park. Ringwood filled the first nine places in the race ensuring victory and winning the Ashes for the first time. Members of the winning team were Andre Lambden, Paul Tucker, Neil McKem, Chris Viney, Mike Willis and Alan Gordon. World Transplant Games - Athens After receiving a kidney transplant in July 1980, Chris Tew continued competition at top level (bronze medal in the State Championships High Jump) and followed this up with dominant perfonnances at the Worid Transplant Games in Athens. Chris won the High Jump Qumping as high as the men), Shot Put and came second in the 100m. This competition was held at the Olympic Stadium used in 1896. Chris has since competed in five more Worid Transplant Games and for more than a decade was undefeated in the High Jump. During the second round of Interclub at Doncaster, Ringwood fielded 7 teams with the U13 team runners up. Don Deans, as manager of the juniors, was instrumental in these successes and for the team spirit displayed by this, many of whom would later form the backbone of future 'A' Grade teams. At the end of the day the u15 team had tied with Doncaster and a run off over 300m was necessary to separate the two teams. Imagine the thoughts going through the 400m runners who on finishing their events were told they had to race again in 15 minutes. It was a most exciting finish to the days competition with Michael Price 1^' Patrick Bryden 3'''' and Geoff Culbert 4* in the mn-off. When the going gets tough, the tough get going!! Werner Reiterer broke two Australian U15 records: Discus 63.28m, Shot Put 18.62m. Total membership (men) 140, 43 Seniors. 30 Under 20, 54 U15 and 13 Officials. Jeff McNeil competing in the Far East and South Pacific Games for the disabled, in Hong Kong, won a gold in the 1500m (4 min 30 sec) and bronze in the 400m for the blind events - 2% sight. Anne Lord won the Australian 3000m track championship. 1983/84 Ringwood walkers won the bronze medal in the Victorian 10km Team Walk. The team consisted of Paul Copeland (48 min 0 sec), John Oust (49 min 35 sec). Glen Saddington (50 min 13 sec) and Ken Walters (52 min 35 sec). Ken's time was believed to be the fastest ever recorded in Australia for an over 50 athlete. Tony Lethbridge retired after 20 years as President of the men's Club. Les Perry, a foundation member also retired from the Committee this year after a similar period of service including many years as Secretary. Charies Hogarth took over as Club President 21 The women's section of the Sydney to Surf Run was won my Rhonda IVlallinder (Taylor) (14km in 49 min 39 sec). Rhonda also won the Sun Super Run and the Big IVI Marathon, with a new course record for this race. Foundation member, John Stanley (now living in NSW) won the Australian Marathon Championship emulating a feat achieved by his father. Jeff McNeil won the World title for the Blind Marathon in Auckland (2 hr 57 min). Jeff also won the 7* Moomba Celebrity Classic Mile in 5 min 10.6 sec. 1984/85 Amalgamation By a unanimous vote the RAAC and the RWAAC were amalgamated at a General Meeting of both clubs, held at the Clubrooms on Sunday 3'''^ June, 1984. The new Club became known as Ringwood Athletic Club Incorporated {RAC Inc). It was appropriate that the two Clubs should unite as since their formation the early sixties they had shared common facilities - first at Ringwood East Football Ground, then H. E. Parker Reserve moving to Mullum Reserve and finally at Proclamation Park. Also following the amalgamation of the State bodies several years earlier both men's and women's Clubs competed at the same venue. Charles Hogarth was elected President of the new Club. At the Australian All Schools Championships, held in Brisbane, Wemer Reiterer and David Culbert both won Gold Medals in record breaking performances; Werner U19 Shot Put 17.69m U19 Discus 63.64m 1 (Victorian and Australian U20 record) U19 Shot Put 20.74m 1^ (Victorian and Australian U18 record) U17 Discus 63.42m 1^' (Victorian and Australian U18 record) David U19 Long Jump 7.64m 1^'(Equal Victorian and Australian U20 record) David later broke this record at the Nationals with a jump of 7.66m. Open Athletics Following an AAU decision, professional runners were now able to join clubs and compete in Amateur Athletics up to and including the Victorian Championships. First to take advantage of this decision and join the Ringwood Athletic Club were Stawell Gift heat winners John DeCoite and Peter Emerson 400m specialist Ian McCarthy (who had been a Junior member of the Club) Gary Barker also made the transition to the amateur ranks and subsequently competed in Professional, Amateur and Veteran ranks Jackie Perkins won the National U20 3000m Cross Country title in Perth with a time of 9 min 14.4 sec. The men's 'B' Grade team won the Cross Country Championship. Kirsteen Fan-ance was the Track and Field Coordinator for the Pacific School Championships held in Melboume. 22 1985/86 The Pacific Conference Games, Bericeley, California Jackie Perkins placed 5* in the 3000m with a time of 9 min 29.99 sec. David Culbert finished 5* in the Long Jump (7.38m). Werner Reiterer was 6* in the Discus (50.46m). Werner went on a medal collecting spree this season. Hard work paid off when he won a total of 8 Australian Championships. He won both the Discus and Shot Put in the U17 and U19 Australian Schoolboys. He won both of these events again in the U18 and U20 age groups at the National titles. Sue Cook walked a "World best distance" in a one hour event covering 12 km 553m Icm! The men's 'A' Grade team finished in the final four. On the track, Jan Savage broke Hilary Jack's (Morris), eight year old record by mnning 23.9 seconds for the 200 metres, 0.7 seconds faster than the previous record. Two extra lanes were laid at Proclamation Park - making the entire track 8 lanes. 1986/87 Commonwealth Games - Edinburgh/World Junior Games, Athens • Wemer Reiterer won a bronze medal in the Discus with a throw of 57.34m David Culbert made the final of the Long Jump and finished 7"^ with a leap of 7.41m. Both Werner and David also competed in the World Junior Games held in Athens. Werner took the silver medal in his event and David finished 4* with a jump of 7.71m. Paul Copeland also competed at these games contesting the 10km Walk in which he set an Australian U20 record. Paul Copeland later set a new Australian Junior record for the 20km Road Race (89 min 42 sec) and had the distinction of becoming the first Junior in Australia to break 90 minutes for the distance. Jackie Perkins dominated distance running in Australia this year winning four National titles - 1500m, Mile, 3000m and 10,000m - an outstanding feat. Knee injuries were in vogue this season with both Kirsteen Fan"ance and Scott Chestennan going under the knife. Over the years many have contributed to the Administration and Development of athletics in Victoria. This year four members were involved: • Kirsteen Farrance Portfolio Manager, Coaching • Scott Chesterman Portfolio Manager, Constitution • Tony Lethbridge Portfolio Manager, Summer Competition • Bill Toohey Member, Summer Competition Committee While at a National Level, Paul Jenes was Chairman of Selectors and Statistician. Rochelle Sutton (Discuss) and Geoff Culbert (400m) were members of an Australian U20 Team that competed in China. Ringwood athletes figured in three newspaper awards: It Kyle Vander Kuyp (Hurdles) Leader Newspaper Junior Sports Star 23 M Rochelle Sutton (Discus) Ringwood/Croydon Mail Junior Sports Star M Wemer Reiterer (Discus) Lilydale Express Senior Sports Star. Sponsorship Barry Plant Real Estate and Eastland Shopping Centre agreed to sponsor the Ringwood Athletic Club Inc. The sponsorship came after much effort from the Club Committee and provided a welcome injection of funds into the Club's coffers. 1987/88 Life Member Tony Lethbridge was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (0AM) for services to Athletics. Ringwood by this stage boasted three Level 2 Coaches: • Kirsteen Famance Sprints, hurdles, jumps and multi events • Phil Molesworth Middle distance and distance • Charies Gorman Middle distance, distance and walks. Gary Cantwell, Peter Noordhoff and Brian Simmons were selected to compete in the Great Otway Classic. Gary and Peter were members of the winning team. Anne Lord won the Nanjing Half Marathon over the Easter weekend. Ken Walters (walk coach and Interclub announcer) set an Australian record for Veterans (55-60) in the 3000m Walk with a time of 14 mins 40.5 sec. Christine Ellison-Smith, a fine all round athlete, won gold medals in the High Jump, Shot Put and 1500m as well as a silver in the Long Jump at the 9* Australian Deaf Games. She was selected in the Australian Deaf Team to compete in New Zealand. The Ringwood/Enfield Harriers annual challenge was held in South Australia. The Ringwood women's team defeated the home town team over a 4km course, while the men had to lower their colour to Enfield in the 10km run. Enfield also won the tenpin bowling contest 1988.89 Olympics - Seoul Three members of the Club were selected to compete in the Seoul Olympics • Jackie Perkins 1500m/3000m • David Culbert Long Jump • Werner Reiterer Discus Paul Jenes (Chairman of the Australian Selection Committee), after many year of trying to reach the Games as a competitor, was finally selected as a member of the Channel 10 commentary team. Those who spent many hours watching the Games appreciated Paul's knowledgeable comments conceming the Field events. Paul Copeland missed the qualifying time in the 20km Walk trial for the Seoul Olympics by only 2 sec (that's) not much over approximately 85 minutes). This performance however, assisted Paul in securing a full scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canben-a. This year, on home temtory, both the men's and women's teams defeated Enfield Harriers. Ringwood also won the football match (no Collingwood scouts in sight). Changes around the Clubrooms saw all weight training equipment moved back into the main gymnasium. The old weight room was fitted out with carpet, couches, chairs, fridge urn and became available as a general Clubroom for meetings. 1989/90 Commonwealth Games - Auckland Ringwood Athletic Club had five first claim members competing in these games, an outstanding achievement and more than any other Club in Australia could boast. . Paul Copeland finished equal 7* in the 30km Walk (2 hr 19 min 56 sec) • David Culbert won a Silver IVledal in the Long Jump leaping 8.20m • Neil Honey cleared 5.20m in the Pole Vault and missed the bronze medal on a count back. • Werner Reiterer won a Silver Medal in the Discus with a throw of 61.56m and placed 4* in the Shop Put with 17.78m • Kyle Vander Kuyp was 6* in the final of the 110m Hurdles. His time of 14.07 sec was a new Victorian and Australian U20 record. World Student Games - Duisberg, Germany Paul Copeland and Celia Massie-Bert;ei were members of the Australian team to compete in the Worid Student Games in Duisberg. Cross Country Premiership The women won the Open Cross Country Premiership. Likewise, the 'B'Grade men won and were promoted to 'A' grade for the next season. The RAC Inc inaugural car rally (organised by Jim Cain and June Petrie) held on the 23'''' April, stariied at Proclamation Park and finished at Donnellys Weir, Healesville. Lavinia and Bob Petrie were the overall winners, with Jackie Perkins claiming the booby prize for the least number of points scored. Three Generations in the Club at the Same Time Dora Dosser (official), her daughter Sandra Gantner (official) and grand daughter Kylie Gantner (competitor in track and field) were seen regulariy at Knox on Saturdays. Another of Dora's daughters, Marie O'Brien, a former member of the pre amalgamation Women's Club was one of Victoria's top distance runners in the late seventies and eariy eighties. Ringwood CDS Team The Ringwood CDS men's combined 'A' Grade team competed for the first time this year. The name RINGWOOD remained dominant as we already held the 'A' grade position and were also providing the majority of athletes for the team. The other members of the combine were Croydon, Dandenong and Springvale-Noble Park. The team finished 2"'* in the finals with Box Hill winning yet again. The unifonn of the Ringwood CDS team was the basic Ringwood men's unifonn with the addition of a red cloth badge on the singlet bearing the letters CDS. David Culbert was the Australian male Grand Prix winner. His fine efforts in the Long Jump over the gmelling series eamed him a prize of $10,000. 25 After four years of invaluable sponsorsiiip, tough economic times brought an end to the Barry Plant Real Estates involvement with the Club. Special thanks must go to Tony Lethbridge for his efforts in servicing of the sponsorship agreement which assisted the Club so much. 1990/91 'A' Grade Premiers - iVien Ringwood CDS won the 'A' Grade Premiership defeating Box Hill by a massive 64 points. The result was a great team effort! Special mention to Kyle Vander Kuyp, David Culbert and Werner Reiterer who won three individual events and Paul Copeland who won two walks. After seventeen attempts Ringwood finally succeeded becoming part of the first Combine team to win the coveted trophy. The team was managed by Tony Lethbridge and captained by Graham Tew. Women's 'A' Grade - Revisited Women's 'A' Grade competition recommenced this season and Ringwood entered as part of the RCDS combine. The team comprised the same clubs as the men's combine, however the uniform was a distinctive pink and black. Phil Molesworth was Team Manager and the team finished in second position behind Doncaster. Also in the Association Finals was the Women's 'B' Grade who finished 3'"'^ and both the Men's u18 and Women's U16 teams were mnners up. Winter Season The U20 Women's team won the VAA Winter Premiership by winning booth the Road Relays and the 10km Road Race. Girls who helped in this victory included Samantha Austin, Colleen Best, Josie Carbury, Jodi Paul, Kelli Paul and Debbie Taylor. Warren and Travis Harbour created race walking history by being the first father and son to be selected in a Victorian team for the same Championships. Kyle Vander Kuyp travelled to Plovdiv, Bulgaria for the World Junior Championships where he won a bronze medal in the 110m Hurdles -13.85 sec (a new Victorian and Australian U20 record). Australian Championships Werner Reiterer won the Open Shot Put (17.52m) and Discus (58.94m), David Culbert won the Open Long Jump (7.71m), Kyle Vander Kuyp won the Open 110m Hurdles (13.68 sec) also won the U20 110m Hurdles (13.91 sec). In the U18 section Justin Clarke was 3''' in the 400m (48.95 sec) and David Frazer was 2"'' in the High Jump (2.12m). Kylie Randies was 3'''' in the Women's U18 High Jump (1.60m) Travel Fund Established A Travel Fund was established by the committee to assist athletes who gained Victorian or Australian selection to travel interstate or overseas. The founding donation was gratefully received from Mr Les Perry, a Life Member of the Club. 1991 -2001 1991/92 'A' Grade Premiers - Women Following the success of tiie IVIen's combined team the previous year, the Women's RODS combine team defeated Doncaster by 10 points to win the 'A' Grade Association Final. Ringwood Women's 'B' Grade team managed by Larraine Paul also won the Association Finals and the U18 Team were the runners. Club Sponsorship The Club acquired a new sponsor Glen Cameron Pty Ltd - Transport, Storage and Courier Services. They agreed to sponsor RAC Inc for three years. A new member Cathy Freeman broke the Club 400m record with a run of 51.53 sec. This eclipsed by more than 4 seconds the 19 year old record set by Jenny Orr. Paul Copeland and Kevin Lowden were selected to represent Australia in the World Race Walking Championships held in San Jose, California, USA. Cross Country Highlight Ringwood women scooped the pool at the Victorian Cross Country Relay Championships winning the 'A' Grade. 'B' Grade and U20 team events. The men's 'A' Grade team won the Frankston Half Marathon, while the men's 'C and 'D' Grades were outright Cross Country Premiers. Anne Lord had a busy year, placing 62"'' in the World 15km Road Championships in Holland. She was also the Australian Team physiotherapist and Assistant Manager at the World Cross Country Championships held in Boston. World Track and Field Championships, Tokyo David Culbert finished 6* in the final of the Long Jump *8.02m). David described this competition as one of the most exciting he had competed in (interesting to know which other one rates) as Mike Powell broke the long standing world record and defeated Carl Lewis. Werner Reiterer threw 60.40m in the Discus and Cathy Freeman ran a leg of the 4 x 100m Relay. The Australian 50 IVlile Track Championships Tin the process of running 201 laps and 50m around the Box Hill Athletic Track, Lavinia Petrie claimed 5 Australian records: 1) 30 miles 3 hr 54 min 32 sec 2) 50 km 4 hr 02 min 02 sec 3) 40 miles 5 hr 17 min 04 sec 4) 50 miles 5 hr48 min 57 sec 5) 6 hours 70 km 67 m What drives someone to compete in such a gruelling event? Lavinia's answer "something I just wanted to do to get it out of my system". 27 1992/93 Olympics - Barcelona • Catliy Freemen made it tlirougii to tiie second round of tiie 400m recording a time of 51.52 sec; stie was also a member of tiie 4 x 400 team wiiicti placed 7* in ttie Final. • David Culbert jumped 8.00m in the qualifying round of the Long Jump and was 11* in the final with 7.73m. • Werner Reiterer threw 62.20m in his qualifying round of the Discus and finished 10thinthe final with 60.12m. Werner's dominance of the Australian throwing scene at this time was evident from the fact that he held every State Open and Under age Discus record (and probably most, if not all, of The Australian records as well). An impressive record. British AAA Championships Olympic year always seems to bring out top peri'onnances. Competing in the British Open Championships Cathy Freeman won the 400m in 51.14 sec (a new U20 record). Werner Reiterer three well to win the Discus and David Culbert won the Long Jump. World Junior Track and Field Championships - Seoul Cathy Freeman won the Silver Medal in the 200m recording 23.25 sec • Andrea Hughes (second claim from Tasmania) was 7* in the High Jump (1.85m). Winter Training A sight to behold - Discus thrower Raelene Warren and Hammer throwers Michelle Randall and Chris Tew squelching around in the mud retrieving their implements while coach Gus Puopolo dances on the bench set sing 'Tm on my way to Happiness". 1993/94 Ringwood athletes won 15 Gold, 12 Silver and 12 Bronze medals in the Victoria Championships. In the Women's 100m Ringwood provided a clean sweep of medals with: 1. Cathy Freeman Gold 2. Damayanthi Dharsha Silver 3. Jan Savage Bronze. - surely a record achievement from one Club. It was decided by the lAAF that the hammer and pole vault events would be recognised a worid record events for women. Cathy Freeman, Andrea Hughes, David Culbert, Wemer Reiterer and Kyle Vander Kuyp were all selected to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, and Anne Lord travelled as one of the team physiotherapists. 1994/95 Vale Theo Orr It was great sadness that we learnt of the death of Theo On-. Theo had been involved with the Club for many years, as a coach of the Women's Club, competitor and more lately as a veteran athlete, competing at State, National and International level. Theo will be remembered for his couri:esy, humility and concern for others as well as for his success on the track Athletics Victoria announces an incentive scheme for the Victorian Traclc and Field Championships with spot Cash Prizes, T Shirts for Open age winners. Athlete of the Meet cash prize of $200, participation certificates and a Club Incentive Scheme. The club that had the most members competing over the weekend will receive a prize of $500. This was the year of the 'new' RAC Gum. Olympic Park sold off all of it's equipment and Ringwood won the tender, leading to the statement that "our Club now has one of the best, if not the best gymnasiums of any athletic club" Charies Gonnan was available to set training programs for members. Lavinia Petrie continued on her winning way with success in the Ultra Marathon, being the first woman, breaking an Australian record and setting a worid age record for women over 50. • Tony Lethbridge was awarded an Athletics Victoria Merit Award • Lisa Dick won the Woman Winter Athlete of the Year On the Interclub scene the Women's 'B' and U18 and the Men's U18 teams won the Venue Finals and the Men went on to win the Association Final. 1995/96 This year saw the introduction of the Cup Competition, which preceded the start of the Interclub season. Who will forget the truly classic events such as the Pariouf Relay, the Sticks and Miss Relay where number 1 runner ran over 200m hurdles to pass the baton to number 2 runner who ran on the flat, to be repeated for runners 3 and 4. Another enduring sight was of the Shuttle Relay where top sprinters ran at full speed toward the next runner who had their hand cupped to receive the baton!!! (fortunately Cup Competition died an unmourned death - Ed). New member Lauren Hewitt was named Female Athlete of the Meet at the Australian All Schools Championships — a forerunner of much future success. This was the era of the Fun Run - when groups of Club members were rounded up by Ray McDonald to act as officials on various Fun Runs for which the Club was paid per volunteer. The Club used this as a major fundraising activity until we finally convinced Ray that Sausage Sizzles at Bunnings were much easier and more fun!!! In the Winter season the Women's team came close to winning the premiership which was decided on the last race. David Culbert was elected to the board of Athletics Victoria. Anne Fearnley enjoyed a winning streak in professional njnning with wins in the 400m at Wangaratta, the 800m at Prahran and the 400's at Castlemaine and Bendigo. New members who were welcomed this year were Lauren Hewitt and Cecilia Mcintosh, names that would feature in future Pack Runs. Athletics Victoria unveiled its new uniform where the traditional colours of navy and white were augmented with burnt orange Vs. Derek Clayton, a fonner worid record holder in the Marathon was the guest speaker at the Presentation Night. An article on Drugs in Sport alerted members of the dangers of cold and flu medications, emphasising the fact that drugs and drug testing had now become a reality in our sport. Ray McDonald was appointed as Convenor of Education, Training and Accreditation for officials. 29 Paul Jenes joined the Channel 7 Team covering the World Championships and was awarded Life Membership of Athletics Victoria. 1996/97 Congratulations to Cathy Freeman, Lauren Hewitt and Kyle Vander Kuyp for their excellent performances at Atlanta. Former Ringwood athlete Kathy Watt, who switched to cycling after injuries forced her to give up running, also competed at Atlanta with great success. Lauren Hewitt and Cecilia Mcintosh were selected in the Australian team for the Worid Junior Championships where they both performed well. Olympic Park is to be upgraded, meaning that it will be out of action from November to February. This meant that State League was spread around the venues. Talk at the time was for a cycling velodrome to be constructed and it was suggested that an indoor athletic track be incorporated. (Ed note: well we got the Vodaphone Arena but what happened to the indoor track). A major social outing for the year was the Casino Night where members were conveyed by bus to the Casino fed and given a $3.00 pokies voucher and were transported back home with empty pockets. Excuses - Coaches encounter many in their careers but when Lee Comper had to miss training because he had strained his hamstring playing snooker, there must have been much rolling of the eyes!! Athletics goes hi tech - we now have Internet connections and web sites. Nick Fiedler won the 400m at the Police Games - crooks beware - at least one cop can mn!!! An Olympians' Dinner was held to recognise the seven Olympians from the Ringwood Club. Raelene Warren constmcted the Olympians Honour Board, which was unveiled at the dinner. A letter sent to the Club by Warwick Smith congratulated the Club on its large and vibrant membership and on the balance between encouragement of the 'grassroots' members and the recognition of the high profile elite athletes amongst the membership. 1997/98 Phil Molesworth has been awarded a Life Membership of the Club. Jeanette and Jim Can and Larraine and Bany Paul received Club Distinguished Service Awards. Monthly BBQ's were offered after training to 'break the diet' with the coaches approval and to catch up on the gossip. Cathy Freeman wins the 400m Worid Championship in Athens, where Kyle Vander Kuyp and Lauren Hewitt also competed. David Culbert never lost an opportunity to sing the praises of Ringwood Athletic Club in his television commentaries. David has also taken up the position of Director of media and Corporate Affairs with Pacific Sports International. Tony Lethbridge has continued on is way to gain valuable funds for the Club. Athletic Victoria is offering monetary incentives to clubs who promote the healthy eating message. Consequently infonmation on healthy food choices and recommendations appear regularly in the Pack Run. (Does that mean that Fat-free sausages, lentil burgers and alfalfa sprouts will be served at the monthly BBQ's - Ed). Chris Tew was off to Sydney where she represented Australia for the 5 time in the World Transplant Games. She won two gold and one silver medals. Raelene Wan-en and Cecilia Iviclntosh have continued the tradition of a number of Ringwood athletes to cross sports and take up weight lifting. Raelene won the Australian U20 76kg and was 3''' in the Open and Cecilia won the U20 64kg and was second in the Open competition in that weight division. Ian Chestennan was appointed Chief de Mission for the Australian team at the Nagano winger Olympics. The Annual Presentation Night featured Peter Norman as guest speaker. Peter was amusing and entertaining and he astonished younger athletes with his stories of training pre weights sessions and hi tech tracks and equipment, particularly so as he still holds the Australian 200m record set in those halcyon days. 1998/99 Ringwood Women cleaned up the Relay Championships with wins in the 4 x 400m and the 4 x 100m. The teams were: 4 X 400m Anne Fearnley, Steph Milic, Cathy Freeman, Katie Moore. 4 X 100m Anne Feamley, Siobhan Ferreira, Cathy Freeman, Katie Moore. Cathy Freeman was named as Australian of the Year — a very popular and well deserved honour. Anne Lord, Anne Fearnley, Jackie Perkins, Travis Harbour, Mark Hogarth and John Stanley were inducted into the Ringwood Secondary College's Hall of Fame. Ringwood athletes past and present, performed well at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. • Lisa Dick ran an outstanding second in the Marathon • Lauren Hewitt won a Bronze medal in the 200m, was 4* in the 100m and won a Gold medal in the 4 X 100m relay • Kyle Vander Kuyp was 5* in the 110 hurdles • Damayanthi Kobalavithanage (Darsha) was 4* in the 400m - she ran for Ringwood in 1992/93 season • Nova Peris-Kneebone was 1^'in the 200m and won gold in the 4 X 100m relay-Nova began her athletic career with Ringwood after she switched from hockey. Anne Lord was team physiotherapist. Ray McDonald has been appointed as Chief Judge-throws for the Sydney Olympics. 1999/2000 New members, Cherico and Sebastian Detenamo have been selected in the Nauruan team for the Pacific Championships in Guam. Cathy Freeman has been selected to carry the Australian Flag at the Worid Championships where she successfully defended her 400m title. Lauren Hewitt and Kyle Vander Kuyp also competed and ran PB's. The era of the Bunning Sausage Sizzles as a fundraising activity is in full swing. The Club can raise up to $1500 in one day and, apart from the helpers stinking of onions for the next week and looking somewhat bedraggled at the end of the day, they are a great bonding experience! Aaron Hartney was appointed Captain of tlie Victorian IVlens team in tlie All Schools Championships and other Ringwood athletes Cara White, Brendon Ivlurphy, Tim Bates, Jarred Tallent, John Meszaros, Justin Puopolo and Scott Martin also performed well. Our new grandstand is almost completed and this will provide much needed seating and shelter at the track. The State League teams have changed their title from RCDS/Ringwood CDS to Ringwood United and the women now compete in the Ringwood unifonn instead of the bright pink and black. The second Annual Trivia Night was held, organised and compered by Stephen Macko. Except for the predictable disputing of answers and the obvious cheating by the thrower's table (so I'm a bad loserl! - Ed) the evening was enjoyed by all. Mother and daughter Lavinia and June Petrie have been achieving great success in mountain running, with June's husband, Bert Pelgrim also getting into the action. Ringwood officials continue to be the unsung heroes of the sport. They are a hardy lot, turning out in al weather to officiate on behalf of the Club. Appreciation of their efforts was expressed in the Pack Run. Charies Hogarth retired as President after 15 years of outstanding service to the Club. Gus Puopolo has stepped into his shoes. Jim Cain received the Deakin Australia Day Award for services to athletics. Thanks to the efforts of Tony Lethbridge the Club won a cash prize in the Healthy Club Award - now we really have a reputation to uphold! 2000/01 2000 has been the most anticipated and exciting year with the Sydney Olympics beckoning us all, whether as athletes or as spectators. Tickets have been booked, hapless relatives or friends who live in Sydney have been inundated with please for spare beds, a bit of floor or even a tree in the backyard and we are ready to go. There is a real buzz in the athletics community as this is our opportunity to see in the flesh those international heroes we have been reading about or watching on TV for so long. Renewed interest in the sport is evident by the number of people training and showing an interest in competing, either for the first time or returning to the track. We hope that this will flow through to the Club with increased membership this season. Cathy Freeman, Lauren Hewitt and Kyle Vander Kuyp were selected in the Australian team for the Olympics. Cathy went on to win the Gold Medal for the 400m to cap off an outstanding athletics career, so far. The Pack Run put it very well when it said "there is nothing we can add to what has already been said or written in the media, other than to express our delight and immense pride in the performances of all our members at the games". Who will ever forget the photos that appeared in the National press? It encapsulated Australian national pride at that moment. We recognised our officials who worked at the Olympics - Ray McDonald, Sandra Gantner, Kirsteen Farrance, Diane Lowden and Gayle Anderson, and Anne Lord was part of the medical team. A number of Ringwood members were recognised for their contribution to the sport. • Chris Tew received the Australian Sports Medal and Life Membership of Transplant Australia for her service to sport. 32 Paul Jenes became a Life Member of Athletics Victoria • John Davidson received an Athletics Victoria Merit Award for 40 years of service • Lavinia Petrie won the Vichealth Masters Sport Individual Award for her outstanding performances in the World Veterans Championships in 1999. The Culmination of a great year - • Cathy Freeman is awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia • Charles Hogarth received the Deal • Ray McDonald and Tony Lethbridge were awarded Australian Sports Medals. 2001 -2011 2001/02 Anne Feamley made history when she won the Open 400m (beating the men) at Stawell. Other Ringwood winners were Cam Dunbar - 200m, Gary Simondson - 3200m, Todd Ireland and fonner member Jarrod Meagher made the final of the Gift. Gus Puopolo was appointed Throws Coach for the Australian team at the South East Asian Games. Lauren Hewitt and Kyle Vander Kuyp were selected in the team for the World Championships. Ringwood distance runners achieved many excellent results and team selections over the winter. - Lisa Dick, Anne Lord, June Petrie, Helen Vander Nagel, Craig Appleby, Sarah, Nix, Rebecca Oliver and Matthew Grant. Aaron Hartney, better known for his exploits with the Shot Put, has been selected as reserve for the Australian Bobsled team for the Winter Olympics. Aaron tells that all their training is done at Albert Park and, as yet, they haven't been anywhere near the snow - shades of Cool Running!!!! Our recruiting drive has been so successful our membership is up by 25% - great effort team - keep up the god work. 40 years on - the countdown begins for the 40* birthday Cecilia Mcintosh and Justin McDonald were the winners of the State League Female and Male Athletes of the Year. The End of Season Spit Roast was held at the home of Carolyn and David Williams. This was a great way to unwind after the season and who will forget the Elvis impersonator who entertained us so ably during the afternoon. 2002/03 The Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester and we were represented by three athletes: • Cecilia Mcintosh won a Silver medal in the javelin Lauren Hewitt won a Bronze in the 200m Lauren and Cathy Freeman won a Gold medal in the 4 X 400m relay John Meszaros achieved a PB in the Shot at the Worid Junior Championships. Anne Lord has been appointed as Vice President of Athletics Victoria. Penny Brown, Kiah Fry, Craig Appleby, Tim Norton and Chris Whitten have been selected in the Victorian team for the National Cross Country Championships. Our New Sponsor Croydon Sports Injury and Spinal Clinic has provided us with t-shirts and logo badges to go on the uniform and a great new banner which is displayed at all competitions. Tony Lethbridge has been at it again!!! RAC has shared the award for leadership in the Active Australia Awards. To whin such prestigious awards requires a written submission to draw attention to the virtues of the Club. Tony has successfully written excellent submissions on a number of occasions, resulting in a number of awards. We are grateful to Tony for his hard work and dedication in bringing recognition to the Club and a cash prize as well. The World Masters Games were held in Melbourne in October and this created much excitement amongst the grey-power set. Spil Lavinia Petrie must be awarded the member with the longest, continuous, active service to the Club. She joined the women's Club in 1966, fresh from England and she is still competing (1 am sure there are a 'few' more years in those legs yet!!). Not many athletes can claim 36 year of competition' The 40 Anniversary Dinner was attended by 169 members, past and present and their friends. Those who attended represented a broad cross section of the membership of the Club over the 40 years including 5 Foundation members of either the Ringwood Women's Amateur Athletic Club or the Ringwood Amateur Athletic Club. It was a night of'do you remember...', 'whatever happened to...' and 'those were the days. A great night was had by all and the future of the Club looked bright It was announced at the end of the year that the preferred method of transmission of Pack Run was by email - another sign of the times. The Committee offered an incentive to athletes competing in State League who scored over 170 points for men or 145 points for women would have their registration paid. The Women's Open Relay Team of Katie Moore, Anne Fearnley, Cara White and Lauren Hewitt scored a clean sweep in the Victorian championships by winning the 4 x 100, 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 events. Anne Lord was appointed as physiotherapist for the Australian Team for the Worid Cross Country Championships in Lausanne, Switzeriand Kyle Vander Kuyp won the State League Athlete of the Year. June Petrie represented Australia art the Taiwan marathon running 2.43.39 It was an excellent year of recruiting with a 23.9% increase in membership. 2003/04 Ringwood shared the Leadership Award for the Active Australia Athletics Australia Club Awards Obviously Tony Lethbridge has used his persuasive prose to win them over - again!! The State League format ended and was replaced by a revamped Interclub with Special Events Catherine Freeman announces her retirement Cathy has been a member of Ringwood Athletic Club since 1991 and during that time, as well as her National and International achievements, she competed in State League/A Grade and made a significant contribution to the Premierships won by the Ringwood CDS team in 1992, 94 and 95. Over the years Cathy has been a member of many Club relay teams that won Victorian Championships and it has been privilege to have her as a member of our Club Catherine Freeman won the Distinguished Career Award from the lAAF 35 The decision to build a Canteen at the tracl< will provide the Club with a source of income through school bookings. Does this mean no more Bunnings Sausage Sizzles we all ask in anticipation!!! Lavinia Petrie broke a World Record for W60 in the 'Sixty Minutes' event at the Victorian Championships covering 13,822m 2004/05 June Petrie won an Intemational Marathon in Taiwan and was named Leader Newspaper Sports Star of the Year Kyle Vander-Kuyp won the 110m Hurdles at the Australian Championships - for the 11* time-surely that deserves naming rights!! Athens Olympics - Lauren Hewitt was a member of the Australian team, Dave Colbert headed the SBS commentary team for the Paralympics and Paul Jenes was the Statistician for Channel 7 for Athens Calista Lyon represented Australia in the World Junior Athletic Championships Tracey Micallef-Reid competed in the Deaflympics as a member of the Australian team Interclub has morphed into Athletics Victoria Shield with Ringwood included in the East region which has lifted the standard and many PB's have been recorded. With the countdown to the Commonwealth Games in Melboume, municipalities have been encouraged to get involved. This resulted in the Moving Maroondah event and the Council agreeing to host the Sri Lankan team with a welcoming ceremony at the Ringwood Track Scott Martin won State League Athlete of the year with Justin McDonald taking second place - Ringwood to the forefront again!! Two long standing Committee Members decided to step down from their roles at the AGM Tony Lethbridge has been Secretary for many years and has been a member of the Ringwood Club for 42 years. Tony's contribution, both as an administrator and as a coach, has been outstanding and the Club owes a huge amount to Tony for his leadership and encouragement He has a knack for seeking out grants that are offered to sporting Clubs, writing outstanding submissions and consequently winning substantial funding for the Club over the years Tony will continue in his coaching role, and as an "elder statesman' and mentor to members. Ray IVIc Donald has been the Club Treasurer, also for many years, as well as a leading official for Ringwood with Athletics Victoria and Australia. Ray has been a dedicated Treasurer making the sound judgements that have put the Club in a solid financial position. Ray has given a huge amount of time to the Club as an official and is highly respected within the athletics community. He has been made a Life Member of I=^C in recognition of his outstanding contribution. Both Tony and Ray believed it was time to hand over to the next generation to take the Club forward. 2005/06 Anne Lord was elected as President of Athletics Victoria. She is the first female to lead the Association since the amalgamation of the Men's and Women's Associations in 1992 Seona Rough won gold medals at the Worid Transplant Games in London. She won the Shot Put High Jump, and Badminton Doubles and also won bronze in the long Jump, 4x100 Relay and the Cricket ball throw - what a versatile athlete!! 36 Vale Lesley John Perry It was with great sadness that the Club recorded the death of Ringwood Athletics Club (Ivlen's Club) co-founder Les Perry Les was a great distance mnner and dual Olympian (1952 and 1956). He started his athletics career with Williamstown Athletics Club and after moving with his family to Ringwood East he helped to found Ringwood Amateur Athletic Club in 1962. Les served as the Club's first Secretary and he remained in that role for 13 years. He also coached the fledgling Club and was awarded a Life Membership for his outstanding efforts. Les continued to be a great supporter of the Club throughout his life and the number of Ringwood Club members who attended his funeral in Mirboo Nth reflects the high regard in which he was held. So many athletes have benefited from Les's efforts to establish the Club as will many more in the future. Catherine Freeman was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Catherine joined Ringwood Athletic Club in 1991 and retired from competition in 2003. She competed in 5 World Championships, 3 Olympic Games, 3 Commonwealth Games, 2 World Juniors championships,2 World Indoors Championships and 1 World Cup. Catherine set National and International records and won 7 gold medals in international competition and who can forget the wonderi'ul 400m victory at the Sydney Olympics. Club President Gus Puopolo was appointed Throwing Coach Co-ordinatorforthe Australian Team at the Commonwealth Games Ringwood entered another Winter Season in a very strong position with A women's team in Division 1, the Men competing in Division2 and 4 and the Club will contest every division in the underage men's and women's competition. A new Grandstand has been approved for construction the north side of the equipment shed. Ringwood member Shane McKenzie was selected in the Australian Bobsled team for the Winter Olympics in Torino Italy. Shane follows a number of other Ringwood athletes who have tried their hands (or is it legs) at this event Fonner Ringwood member Ian Chestennan was appointed Chef de Mission for the Australian Winter Olympic Team IVIelbourne Commonwealth Games Lauren Hewitt, Scott Martin, Kyle Vander Kuyp and Ben Harradine have been selected in the Australian team • Scott won a Gold medal in the Discus and a Bronze in the Shot Put Nick Fielder was awarded the Victorian Athletics League Trainer of the Year for 2005 - 6 seasons 37 2006/07 Scott Martin placed 5* in tine Sliot put in tiie World Athletics Final in Stuttgart Gennany and took 4* place for Oceania in the World Cup Megan Szirom competed by invitation in the Goyang intemational Race Walking festival in Korea and finished the 20km walk in 3^"^ place RAC and Ringwood Little Athletics shared $200,000 to update old equipment from the Telstra Athletics Assistance Foundation The Ringwood Baseball Club moved out of the Clubrooms and was now shared by RAC and little Athletics which has resulted in expanded weights and skills and drills areas. The Canteen has been a major source of income for the Club with Lisa Cromb as Manager and many volunteers who have assisted on school carnival days. 2007/08 Scott Martin and Ben Hamadine were selected in the Australian Team for the Beijing Olympics Champion Javelin thrower Cecilia Mcintosh who had to retire from athletics due to recurrent shoulder injury was reborn again as a footballer. Cecilia proved to be a prolific goal kicker who has made her mark in the Victorian Football League in her first season. President Gus Puopolo continued to guide a talented band of throwers based at Ringwood and gain a great deal of press giving the RAC great publicity. 2008/09 Three RAC throwers, Scott Martin, Ben Harradine and Kimberiey Mulhall competed in Europe. Scott and Ben were competing as preparation for the Beijing Olympics and Kimberly represented Australian in the World Junior Championships June Petrie continued her marathon success with a 2""^ placing in her section of Round 1 of the Greatest Race on Earth series in Nairobi. June has represented Australia in five lAU (Intemational Association of Ultra Running) 50 km events from 2007 to 2011. She finished 2nd in 2007". Ringwood Coach, Nick Fiedler, coached Stawell Gift winner Sam Jamieson. 2009/10 In an article in the Maroondah Leader RAC was described as "surviving on a shoestring budget and relying on sausage sizzles to survive" the Club reached a quarter century milestone by providing a member of a senior Australian team. As this does not take into account the Club members who have competed in Worid Junior this is an extraordinary statistic and something to be very proud of Over the years there have been many Ringwood athletes who have moved across to other sports for a variety of reasons. One sport in which that has happened in a number of cases is the relatively unknown (to Australians) sport of bobsleigh. The latest RAC member to don the lycra is champion javelin thrower Cecilia Mcintosh. Cecilia was selected in the Australian Bobsleigh pair but an appearance in the Olympic competition was not guaranteed. Cecelia and her partner had to endure an appeal to the Court of Arbitration, which found in their favour and they represented Australia in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. 2010/11 Ringwood tiirowers continue to dominate with Scott IVIartin, Benn Harradine, Calista Lyons and Kimberiey Mulhall preparing for Commonwealth Games and World Junior Championships. Scott and Benn reached the A qualifier and were selected Calista and Kimberly just missed out. Kimbedy did go on to take 4* place in the World Junior Championships. Unfortunately Scott had to withdraw from the team due to injury but Benn went on to win gold in the discus. Fifty more years So here we are 50 years on, Ringwood Athletic Club's history, to this point has been long and successful. Measurement of this is not just by the number of Olympians we have produced, or by the outstanding perfonnances by our members, more importantly by the number of people who have been involved in the Club over those 50 years. 1 was asked in an interview for the local newspaper, as a Foundation member of the Club, what people at that very first meeting, when the women's Club was fonned, thought about what they were creating and what were their aims for the Club. 1 am sure the thoughts were of not very far into the future. As the first committee was made up mostly of mothers, of the girls who wanted to try a new sport and to extend their limited athletics experience, none of whom had any athletics background themselves. The objectives were to provide an avenue for these girls to pursue the sport. We were fortunate to have, as ourfirst coach Mariene Warren/Middlemiss, who had competed in the Commonwealth Games, to open our eyes to what the possibilities were for us as raw recruits into athletics. The men's Club, from its inception, had a committee loaded with accomplished athletes including dual Olympian Les Perry, so perhaps their vision was broader than ours. From small beginnings big things have certainly grown with our Club now boasting a very proud 50 year history. More than 1000 invitations went out for this dinner, and that was only to past members whom we had an address for. There are many more, particularly from the early days, with whom we have lost contact. Some of the members from the early days are still active in the Club and it is loyalty and dedication that enables us to not only survive but to grow in strength. It is the continuity and tradition that is the binding force in a Club and it is the contribution that every member has made, no matter how big or how small that builds a solid foundation from which to continue to grow. It is up to you the members to carry this proud tradition on to the next 50 years and beyond. We need to look backwards to draw from the past butthe journey forward continues and our next journey has just begun. Thank you to those who have contributed to this booklet, in particular to Tony Lethbridge who is a wealth of information about RAC and to Denise Milic who has typed, edited, collated, formatted and organised the printing. still on track after 50 years BY ROY WARD plenty of coaching in its formative years from two-time Olympian Les Perry, who passed away WHEN a group of Ringwood parents met in in a few years ago. 1961, tliey liad no idea wiicrhcr tiic girls' athlet• "1 hope the Warrens are able to come because ics club they aimed to create would last five they haven't been involved in the club for a while, minutes, let alone SO years. so we would love to see them," she said. After producing 21 Australian representatives Former Australian long-jumper and now inter• and countless state and national competitors, national athletics commentator David Culbert Ringwood Athletics Club will celebrate its half- grew up in Heathmont and competed for the club century with a dinner on November 19. from Little Athletics up to seniors. Life member Lyn Bartold, then just a teenager, Culbert, who will MC the anniversary dinner, attended that first meeting, at which the group of said the combination of good coaches and great parents decided to form a committee for a girls' organisation made athletics appealing to young athletics club. athletes like himself. Ringwood's men's athletics club would be He said the coaching he received was integral at the Commonwealth Games it would finish started the next year, although the two clubs to his progress into international athletics, cul• second or third on the athletics medal tally, wouldn't join forces until the 1980s. minating in his competing at the 1992 Barcelona Culbert said. Bartold said the meeting at the original Ring- Olympics. "Seeing athletes performing on the world stage wood Town Hall got a good turnout that showed ''Someone like Tony Lethbridge or older, more encourages kids to come through the ranks," the interest in .starting the club. successful members like Scott Chesterman or Culbert said. "It lets younger athletes believe "1 wasn't much of an athlete, but I liked the Mike Willis were always at training and setting a they can come from the suburbs to international high jump, so I dragged mum along," she said. good example," he said. level." She ended up being named treasurer, a job she "There was always a group of great people at Ringwood, which has over 100 senior and did for the ne.vt 10 years. every level and every age group had a team man• junior members, now has two intemational qual• Bartold said Ringwood won a premiership in ager who organised and looked after everyone. I ity throwers in its ranks, Australia representa• one of the junior grades it its first season and that would be at my parents' toy store in Ringwood tives Scott Martin (shot put) and Benn Harradine initial success laid the platform for the following and at lunchtime every Saturday someone would (discus). years. be there to pick me up and take me to athletics." Culbert said he couldn't wait for November But she doubts the club's founders believed Along with home-grown stars like Culbert, 19. "You arc a long time retired and I don't get to Australian representatives would come out of the Ringwood has also adopted national-level stars hang around the club much now. club. who moved to Melbourne. Some of the better "It's a great celebration for the club, particu• "They were a rather young group of parents — known imports were Olympic gold medallist larly for those who have been there for the entire most of them had previously had nothing to do Catherine Freeman and Olympians Kyle Van der time - it's a proud occasion." with athletics and were just dragged along by Kuyp and Nova Peris. Club secretary Raelene Warren said more than their kids." "Those athletes used to love to run and com• 1000 invitations were posted to former members Bartold said one of fortunate occurrences was pete for Ringwood in club competitions," but many people's addresses had changed. former Australian Commonwealth Games repre• Culbert said. "That was attractive because you She said anyone who wanted to attend could sentative Mariene Warren and her husband weren't just training for the sake of training, you get their tickets through the club by sending an Geoff joining the club and providing great role got some competition as well." email to [email protected]. Ticket sales models for impressionable juniors. At the height of the club's international success will close on November 12 for the anniversary Ringwood Star Cathy Freeman Is a former member of She said the men's club was also lucky to get they used to joke that if Ringwood was a country dinner at Karralyka Centre, Ringwood. Ringwood Athletics aub. I _ • •