VETRUNNER Email: [email protected] ISSN 1449-8006 Vol. 25 Issue 9 — February, 2005 WALKER WINS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD AS WELL AS AN AMA RECORD Lisa Wilson has progressed in just winning the World Marathon. two years from being a good local W35 GM: What kind of coaching did runner, to becoming an outstanding you get in those days? race walker. On April 19, 2004 she LW: General club coaching, a completed a 20k walk in 1:55.51, and couple of times a week at the local on April 23 walked 50km in 5:23.08, track. Helen Steadman was the main which was not just an Australian W35 influence on me – she was a Victorian record but a new Australian open Veteran 800 metre champion in the record as well. Both walks were at the W35s at the time and had me doing World Masters Non- Stadia interval training. In addition I would Championships in Auckland, and both do my own training around the resulted in gold medals. suburbs at Hopper’s Crossing. Based on these and other GM: How did you get into performances, on December 2 Lisa walking? was awarded the ACT Masters Sports LW: Only last season at the Vets Star award for 2004. The award’s when my Achilles was getting a bit scope is ALL sports, not just athletics, sore from running, I entered a walk and includes men and women, not just for fun. Denis Strangman the just a separate women’s award. walking coach thought I didn’t have a I interviewed Lisa to see if I could bad style, so he encouraged me, told get an insight into her achievements: me I had natural ability, and got me Geoff Moore: When did you start to go in walking races. With my in Athletics? Achilles injury I would have been Lisa Wilson: I started in 1984 at right out of the scene if I hadn’t taken Australian record. Lisa Wilson winner High School, and joined the Werribee up walking. of the W35 50km race walk record. And Women’s Athletics Club in Victoria. GM: You were out of sport for a just before Christmas the winner of the The 800 and 1500 were my main Masters Division for the Athlete of the long time since your school days. events as they did not offer longer Year. What got you back into sport after the events. long break you had from it? GM: What other sports have you serious, I played competitive women’s LW: I would never have got back played? soccer for six years. into sport without the Jogalong and LW: I have done gymnastics, GM: What made you interested in Vets. My first goal was to be soccer, some basketball, judo, and running? competitive in Vets. After my second later some swimming with AUSSI LW: The 1984 Olympics, and also child I started back training in May Masters. Of these soccer was the most Rob de Castella’s performance in (Continued on Page 28) MILESTONE FOR VETRUNNER EDITOR BRYAN THOMAS writes on the record for editing and producing another outstanding record most issues of arguably the best performance by an ACTVAC monthly athletics magazine/ member. newsletter in Australia. Athletics Australia (AA) acknowledged the Last month’s “Vetrunner” [the important part played by January edition] was the 107th “Vetrunner” (and our other forms of monthly edition produced by popular communication) by honouring us with and hardworking Life Member Jim the Information Category of the AA O’Donnell so equalling the Club Awards for 2001. outstanding efforts of former editor We have always been proud of our (also a Life Member) Bronwyn popular and “newsy” club magazine Gardner. But this edition (February even in its early days when it was a 2005) is Jim’s 108th and he now has (Continued on Page 4) Page 2 — February Vetrunner The “100m Gift” is by no means a gift The men’s “100m Gift”. Above, six of the best age graded sprinters burst out of their blocks. From the left: M70 Jack Thackray, M45 Leo Kennedy, M50 Robert Barbaro, M55 Garry Maher, M60 John Payne and M35 Ken Telfer. The winners. Right, Maureen Rossiter with Robert Barbaro after winning the 2004 “100m Gift”. The grimace or smile on Maureen’s face as she approached the line, see picture below, has changed to a real smile after her win in the Gift. The women’s “100m Gift”. Below, the top five age graded women sprinters are just about to hit the line. From the left, W55 Jill Brown, W40 Jayne Hardy, W50 Maureen Rossiter, W60 Val Chesterton and W45 Vicki Matthews. February Vetrunner — Page 3 I am continuously amazed by the eighties, even though he had to extraordinary feats shown by men RAY’S SHOT survive the rigours of Changi prison and women in Veterans/Masters during WWII. Athletics. A particular case is Anne this. There are many examples in our I remember very well his exploits Young. Last week Anne was club of people with that same as a 40+ year old in the 1950s and 60s presented with a number of indomitable spirit who rise in the face on the tracks around Perth. I was a Australian Record certificates that of overwhelming odds to achieve teenager at the time! Incredibly John had accumulated over a number of beyond the norm. And they are to be was warned off running by his doctors years and hadn’t been presented. found as proud examples in all parts because he had an enlarged heart! He Somehow they were mislaid at the of Australia. didn’t follow that advice for long! He national level! Coincidently, our patron, Jack reckoned he had an enlarged heart as Most of us are aware of Anne’s Pennington, last week kindly passed a result of his running and has been enviable abilities. We have witnessed to me a letter he received from old running ever since. I’m glad those her quiet, unassuming, yet absolutely time combatant and friend of his John doctors didn’t examine Phar Lap! determined ways for many years. Gilmour from WA. John, arguably the There is something in these Whether on the track at our Thursday best distance runner this country has examples that we can all learn from. meets or on one of the many courses ever produced, is well into his RAY GREEN where we run our handicaps, Anne exemplifies the best in “Athletics for SECRETARY’S REPORT the over thirties”. Her spirit would The new-year and our thoughts now turn to the AGM on May 19. The put to shame people one third her budget needs to be formulated, with help from the sub-committees by age. submitting their requests. They also need to think about their annual reports. And when confronted by a life- The committee has decided to put to the AGM the subject of child minding at threatening illness in the past couple the Run/Walk Handicap events. Do we want to continue the service? Any input would be appreciated. of years it has been that indomitable A new Auditor is to be found as our previously appointed one is spirit that has shone through. It has unavailable. given her the strength to overcome a Time lines are to be formulated to remind us of important events, and serious threat to her wellbeing. It has prompt us when to put in applications for grants, booking grounds etc. given her the strength to maintain We are still working on compiling our club policies. We will be revitalising her involvement. Many others may them if necessary. have given up. It has given her the Next year we will be holding our AMA National Championships at Easter. strength to pursue with enthusiasm We will shortly be appointing a Convenor for that event as preparations need to be under way. At the AA Grand Prix series some of our middle distance whatever purpose or goal she sets for runners will be running a Higgins style 800m. Good luck. herself. HAVE FUN Of course Anne is not alone in ACT VETERANS ATHLETIC CLUB “Fitness Through Fellowship” The Vetrunner is the official Newsletter of ACTVAC ISSN 1449-8006 Postal Address: GPO Box 2356, Canberra, ACT 2601. Internet at: actvac.com Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of ACTVAC Patron: Jack Pennington [email protected] Reid 62942368 (h). Statistican and Club Records: President: Ray Green Athletic Events Sub-Committee. Aministration/Finance David Neil Boden 62424038 (h) 62316712 (h). Email: Kathy Sims 62547284 (h). Haggith 62622167 (h) Email: 62499428 (w). Email at home: sharon.gibbins@ telstra.com Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] or at Vice President: Stuart J Reid Phil Toomey 62586316 (h). Information and Technology/ work [email protected] Run/Walking Handicap Sub- Email: [email protected] Registrar Mick Corlis 62963969 Throwing Handicapper: Trish Committee. 62942368 (h). Membership/Services Sub- (h) 62750754 (w) Email: Thomas 61613635. Email: Email [email protected] Committee. [email protected] [email protected] Secretary: Sharon Gibbins Amanda Walker 62625728 (h). Other Contacts: Uniform and Badges Sales: 62910047 (h). Email: Email: Catering/Lost Property: John Rosemary/Bob Parker [email protected] [email protected] Suiter (Track) 62959524 (h). 62882508. Throwing Handicap Liaison. Sub-Committee Contacts: Kent and Lynn Williams (Monthly Vetrunner Editor: Jim O’Donnell Treasurer: Peter Freeman Annual Awards/Half Marathon Run/Walk Hcps) 62474127 (h). 62513016 (h) 62395112 (h). Email: Director Bryan Thomas Peter Freeman (Throwing Hcp) Email: [email protected] [email protected] 61613635 (h).