Vol. 1, No. 1 JUNE 1986 PRICE $2 RECORDS SMASHED AT Temperature soars to 38° in Adelaide ADELAIDE, S.A. — Adelaide proved to be the hot-spot of the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS country in more ways than one, over the Easter weekend. March 28-31, where at the National Veterans Championships, held at the Olympic Sportsfield in Kensington, temperatures soared to over 38 on the second day o f the competition, making the conditions extremely difficult, partic­ ularly in the various distance events. Sad loss of However, despite the heat generated from the sun, and from the track surface itself, performances by the majority of athletes in both track and field surpassed expectations, with numerous and even world records broken. The South Australian Veterans' Athletic Club organ­ founder Wal ising committee under the guidance of ever-popular president, David Mallett, are to be congratulated on maintaining a smooth and generally efficient program over four days, in what were at times very trying condit­ ions. Despite the century heat, athletes went on their record-breaking way. Two world records fell, one to Dot Sheppard Browne who ran 17.33.30 in the W45 5000m., and the other to Jean Albury in the W55 5000m., at 19.07.10. (Full report Page 5. Results Pages 14,15 and 16). MELBOURNE, VIC — The weeks may have passed, but the memory of one of natures true gentlemen lingers on. The death of Wal Sheppard, 63, on the 12th April 1986 was mourned by Veteran Athletes worldwide. Solid support for ’89 A Founder member of the Veteran movement in Australia, Wal was respected by ail who knew him and World Gaines in U.S.A. will be sadly missed. As a prime mover of the A. A. V.A.C.’s successful bid to secure the V 11 World Games in Melbourne next — SIX CITIES FILE BIDS — year, it was a culmination of dedicated persistence on hi$ part and the realisation of a personal dream. At a recent meet­ His boundless energy , enthusiasm and personality has captured the imag­ ing of the U.S. ination of the sports and a willingness at all times to help others was largely Mastere&tte detect­ minded u .2>. people, responsible for the continuing growth of Veteran Athletics ion Committee, who have already pled­ in Australia. Chairman David ged financial support In his capacity as Executive Vice-President of the Pain announced six of $ 100,000 to secure World Association of Veterans Athletes (WAVA), Wal cities have filed for­ the Games for the first was an integral part of the Veteran movement throughout mal bids to host the time. the World, his presence will be a great loss indeed. V111 World Veter­ Final site selection ans Games in 1989. will be made on the 17th (See Tribute to Wal Sheppard Page 8) ‘ ‘The organising July at the U.S. TAC Committee were de­ Masters Track and Field lighted with the Championships in New response” , he said. York and an official “Tne research and bid made to WAVA planning that had gone delegates in Melbourne into the bids was exten­ on 2nd December, sive, indicating the 1987. However it is tremendous economic believed that WAVA and social potential to have already expressed each city, if they were a strong desire to hold successful” . the ’89 event in the • Bevy of Beauty at the National Championships in Adelaide. Medal winners in W35 The world wide U.S. and no other 100 metres: L to R — Wilma Perkins (Q) 3527, Eileen Hindle (WA) 3505, Pam growth of the Masters/ country is expected to Speakman (SA) 3535. Veterans organisation vie for the Games. — Photo by Peter Griffin AUSTRALIAN VETERANS’ MARATHON M70: Bill Pease (NSW) Brenda Every (NSW) CHAMPIONSHIPS 3.41.47. 4.22.43, Heidi Gordon (USA) 4.28.38, Lucille Gladwell (NSW) 4.38.40. Annette Perkins first Barry Ryder wins Vets woman in 2.52.18 Annette Perkins, 37, from ACT was the first National Title in 2.34.51 Veteran female in a very CANBERRA, A.C.T. — creditable 2.52.18 and third overall behind sea­ The 1986 Australian Veterans Marathon Championships held in soned marathoners conjunction with the Nike Marathon on 13th April in Canberra was won in Rhonda Mallinder and fine style by the quiet man from Croydon (Vic.), Barry Ryder, 42, in 2.34.51. Elizabeth Patmore. Barry, whose preparation time in the rather warm 2.53.33, David Richards In a rather small field of consisted of mainly solid conditions, on the day. (Vic) 2.54.37, Lionel only 33 starters, fourteen hills near his home, made Commenting after the Burgess (Vic) 2.55.11. were Veterans and finished as follows:- light work of the rather test­ race Barry expressed the M50: Colin McLeod (Q) ing undulations around view of all competitors, 2.39.51, Ken Fraser (Vic) Lake Burley Griffin and in that Dave Cundy’s race 2.52.56, John Smith (Vic) Annette Perkins (ACT) a sustained effort of strong organisation was absolutely 2.57.23. 2.52.18, Maryann Busteed running in the concluding superb, providing a show­ (ACT) 3.13.31, Wendy stages, held off a deter­ piece event for the Nat­ M55: Bill Seton (NSW) Downes (NSW) 3.17.22, mined challenge from Neil ional capital in this, a final 2.57.13, Denis Fitzpatrick Angela Deakin (NSW) (Vic) 2.59.36, Frank Ryan, 43, by a clear two Commonwealth Games 3.18.11, Susan Stolz (Vic) Qualifying race. Other Byrne (NSW) 3.10.13. minutes at the finish. 3.23.57, Joan Sutton Veterans age group win- (NSW) 3.25.04, Norma Although not a P.B. for npr^ u/prp* M60: Ken Matchett (Vic) 3.41.30, John Bums Lindemann (ACT) 3.26.04, Barry (this was achieved M40: Barry Ryder (Vic) in the Victorian State (0) 3.50.14. Lorraine Mannix (NSW) 2.34.51, Neil Ryan (Vic) 3.26.49, Lyndall Hatch Championships in 1983 2.36.47, Bryan Thomas M65: Norm Gulbransen (ACT) 3.31.59, Amy Prior when he ran 2.26.16) it (ACT) 2.41.55. (Q) 3.23.57, Viv Hyland (ACT) 3.46.38, Connie was nevertheless, a great M45: Peter Leigh (Vic) (Vic) 4.50.25. Clement (ACT) 3.57.30, CONTENTS Australian Veterans Marathon Ch’ships.................., 1 Dedicated to all existing and potential Veteran Athletes in Australia Editorial ..................................................................... 2 Well here at last is Issue No. 1 of our long awaited your hands. The contents and quality of a project of this ’87 World Games Update ...................................... 3 National publication of “THE VETERAN ATHLETE” , your nature requires a great deal of work by a lot of people, how­ own monthly newspaper which is designed entirely to pro­ ever it will be solely dependent on the regular input of Under the Watchful Ey ........................................... 4 vide a comprehensive coverage of all activities within the information supplied from all States with material to keep Australian Association of Veterans Athletics and regular the readers interested and the general public aware of our 1986 National Ch’ships R eport.............................. 5 news from our counterparts overseas. Not since the late existance. seventies and the valiant efforts of Jack Penningtons’ very As a gesture of confidence in the future success of informative magazine “THE VETERAN ATHLETE” , have “THE VETERAN ATHLETE”, it was decided to offer this Veteran Viewpoint .................................................. 5 we been able to keep in touch with what is happening on the inaugural 1st Edition “Complimentary” , thus ensuring National scene. every member of the Association receives their initial copy Profile/Torn Roberts ............................................... 6 It is my sincere hope that each individual State Assoc­ “ Free” . iation will recognise and support this latest attempt to pro­ Please indicate your support and subscribe to future Racewalk Review ............... .................................. 7 vide a much needed communication medium to all our mem- . issues by completing the enclosed Business Reply Card. bers and ensure its success in our rapidly growing organisation. Thank you. Wal Sheppard Tribute ............................................ 8 Having been fortunate enough to be a small part of the So there it is folks! We are off and running again. Australian delegation in Rome recently, where the successful Please let us know what you thinjc, what you would like to Down Memory Lane ............................................... 9 bid to hold the 1987 World Games in Melbourne was read and most importantly what’s happening in your comer confirmed, it is my firm belief we are destined for a period of of this vast continent, and we will do our best to print it. tremendous growth and development in AUSTRALIAN Overseas N ew s.................................... ................... 10 Till the next issue. VETERANS ATHLETICS over the next few years. Stay fit, healthy and happy. May I therefore, reiterate my earlier wishes and 1986 Westfield Ultra Marathon ............................. 11 emphasize the success and future of this publication is in MIKE HALL. 1986 National Ch’ship Results ................. 14, 15, 16 New South Wales News ......................................... 17 Australian Association of Veteran Athletic Clubs; DELEGATE OF: VICE-PRESIDENT Ray Callaghan Report ............................................ 17 P.O. Box 311, Greensborough. 3088. NORTH AMERICA Jacques Serryys, Robert G. Fine, “ Fit-Veteraan’ ’, Telephone (03) 435 6743. 4223 Palm Forest Drive, Postbox 7, Victorian News ..................................... ......... 18, 19 Delray Beach, FL B-8000BRUGGE 1. Patron: SENATOR DON CHIPP 33445 U.S.A. Belgium. ACT N ew s................................. ............................ 20 President: HARRY STANLEY (NSW) N.Y.C. 11217 U.S.A. Vice President: BOB RICHARDS (TAS) VICE-PRESIDENT Sec/Treasurer: PEG SMITH (VIC) (Track and Field) Queensland News ................................................... 21 Ass/Secretary: Hans Axmann, SOUTH AMERICA Eichendorrfstrasse 2, Hon. Auditor: JIM CONWAY (S.A.) Juan H. Kulzer, West Australia N ews..........