VETRUNNER Email: [email protected] ISSN 1449-8006 Vol. 30 Issue 7 — February 2009 Patron: Jack Pennington OAM TWO ENTHUSIASTIC QUIET WORKERS RECEIVE HANDICAP CLUB-PERSON TROPHIES By Bryan Thomas order to be part of their successful relay teams and as such owns a share of five ACT records for the 4 x 200m, 4 x Perhaps it is overdue but one of our more senior 400m, 4 x 800m and 4 x 1500m relays. In 2006 he was a members Michael Freer now joins the long list of worthy member of the M70 team that included Ray Bramwell, Bob recipients of the Encouragement Award as 2008 club- Chapman and Peter Trotter that set an Australian Record person of the year for our popular monthly run/walk of 28.09.85 for the 4 x 1500m relay. handicaps program. Enthusiastic all-round competitor and Michael has also completed thirteen ACT Veterans’ hard working volunteer Duncan Macnicol received the Half Marathons, winning nine age championships (M65 in equivalent honour by being awarded the Clohessy Trophy 1997, M70 in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and M75 in 2004, for the monthly throwing handicaps. 2005 and 2007) and currently holds the M75 record of 115.16. MICHAEL FREER He waited until he was 71 years-of-age before making 29th recipient of the ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD. his marathon debut, which he did by winning the M70 class of the 2001 Canberra Marathon in a time of 4.07.58. Michael has been a member since 1982. This performance is the best ever by a local M70 Michael is one of our more senior members and in six marathoner. months time will join the distinguished ranks of the M80s. However, Michael was not awarded this club-person He is a talented long distance runner still capable of trophy for his talents as a runner but more because of his keeping pace with many athletes more than thirty years enthusiastic participation in our monthly run/walk his junior. handicap program and his contribution over many years to He ran his first handicap in June 1982 on the long help make the event so successful and popular. He has since abandoned Red Hill course and early next year long been a willing and efficient worker always one of the should complete his 200th, most of which have been on the earliest to arrive and last to leave quietly doing a variety long course. Even though Michael is widely recognised as of tasks setting up and dismantling the start/finish area. an outstanding athlete and has won numerous honours he Congratulations Michael. has only won six minor medals (three silver and three bronze) in the monthly handicaps. DUNCAN Several MACNICOL summers ago Michael was a 17th recipient of the frequent CLOHESSY TROPHY. participant at track and field and still It has been a memorable holds six individual year for Duncan for not ACT records in the only was he the worthy M65, M70 and M75 recipient of the 2008 age groups for Clohessy Trophy (the 3000m, 5000m, prestigious club-person 10,000m and one award for the monthly hour run. In more throwing handicaps) he recent seasons he also won two monthly has occasionally trophies, two silver been encouraged by medals and a bronze in friends to come out this unique and popular to the track in Continued on Page 5 REMINDER: MEMBERSHIPS WERE DUE ON 1 JANUARY 2009 JOIN OR RENEW ONLINE NOW Printed by Instant Colour Press Page 2 — February 2009 Vetrunner Right: Waddell Series winners: Edward Towner (Bronze), Tammy Gerrard (Gold) with son Lachlan, Dorothy Seedsman (Silver) Left: Frylink Series Winners: Alison Taylor (Bronze), Michael Freer (Gold). Absent: Faye Todd (Silver) Right: Thomas Series winners: Maria White (Bronze), Norma Lindemann (Silver). Absent: Caroline Campbell (Gold) February 2009 Vetrunner — Page 3 Welcome! 2009 is one of those biggish, impressive, possibly prime numbers, so may your year’s participation and PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE performances reflect that assessment. proposed name change, please make them known to the One of the familiar practices of this time of year is making Committee, by contacting a Committee member in person, by the ‘the New Year’s Resolution’. You may note the quotation letter or by sending an email to [email protected]. marks that suggest that we commonly regard such an Other constitutional issues under consideration, include a undertaking as more honored in the breach than in practice, but reference from the 2008 AGM about aligning the Club’s financial I also suggest that it behooves you to prove the falsity of that year with the calendar year, and alternatives for the Club’s office nostrum. (That’s my first resolution for the New Year!). Why? To bearers ensuring continuity & enthusiasm. ensure that 2009 means more than the simple passing of time. In November, Club office bearers met Mr Wayne Lacey, Athletes, by definition, seek to achieve. How much better it is to Manager, Client Services, Territory & Municipal Services, ACT achieve a desired objective! The capacity to set and achieve Government, to review the past year and set in place agreed objectives is a mature characteristic, and eminently suited to outputs for the coming year [the ACT Government provides club members. What are your specific athletic goals in 2009? In ACTMA an annual $14,000 grant]. We advised the Government 2010, will you mark 2009 as that year of fulfilling achievement? about 2008: 500 plus members, Ex-Stadia Handicap Program, The best motivator can be that reassuring sense of setting Track and Field Program, Social Program, national and realistic goals and exercising the personal discipline of practice international aspects through member participation and that makes them reality (yes, I did it!). So whether it be the organisational relationships, Vetrunner & website. For 2009 we ACTMA Track and Field Championships this month, 6 Foot highlighted: Review of IT systems, Club website as the major Track, the Easter AMA National Track and Field Championships source of information for members, better communication, and in Adelaide, Marathons and Half Marathons (Canberra or Vets), improved member feedback provisions; possible Club name and all those other events, make some plans for 2009, fix that change, in a transitional stage and a key issue for the next AGM objective, get cracking on that program, and make 2009 worth to resolve; 30th Anniversary, emphasise the social side of the your time! Club, acknowledging major contributors to Club development; It’s the Club 30th anniversary this year, and there are plans New members, reach out to younger (30+) age group. afoot to mark it appropriately. The Committee has looked at The Committee aims to document the Club’s policies and some options, and Brad Osborn is taking a lead role. Please procedures and place them on the website to enhance our contact Brad with your thoughts or views. governance capacity (or at least avoid reinventing ‘the wheel’). Since the AGM decision last May, the club has promoted This includes policies on 1.Conditions of Membership, including itself as ‘ACT Masters Athletics’. That decision also directed the our Privacy Policy and Anti Doping Policy, to clarify the Club- Committee to assess the need for amendment to the Club’s member service relationship and 2. Member Inclusion, Support constitution and report its findings to members by no later than and Protection Policy, which focuses on the Club providing an 31 March 2009, with a view to advising any change, should it be inclusive and supportive environment for members to pursue required, in time for consideration by the club’s annual general athletics interests and to develop their athletic potential. I am meeting in May 2009. The AGM also tasked the Members also keen to have a Club policy on assisting members achieve Services Subcommittee to collect information on the impact and accreditation from Athletics Australia as officials. effect of the use of ‘ACT Masters Athletics’ and to report its I’m at the 11th Tour Down Under in Adelaide 18-25 January findings to members in October 2008 (see Vetrunner October (with Lance Armstrong & other cyclists), so I’ll see you on the 2008) and March 2009. Should you have any views about the track or trail. Christopher Lang ACT MASTERS ATHLETICS (ACTVAC) “Fitness Through Fellowship” The Vetrunner is the official Newsletter of ACTVAC Inc, ISSN 1449-8006 Postal Address: GPO Box 2356, Canberra, ACT 2601. Internet at: actvac.com.au Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of ACTVAC Patron: Jack Pennington OAM Sub-Committee Contacts: Health and Safety Officer: Roy Jones President: Chris Lang. 62317353 (h) Annual Awards / Half Marathon Director: 62510148 (h). 62613696 (w) 0427 317 353 (m). Email: Bryan Thomas 61613635 (h). Email: [email protected] Public Officer: Chris Mahe 62951440 (h). [email protected] Vice President: Rosemary Parker: Email: [email protected] Member Services: Geoff Moore 62544753 62882508 (h) Email: (h) Email: [email protected] Relays and Cross Country: Jim White [email protected] Competition: Paul Considine 62921892 (h) 62314168 (h). Run / Walk Sub-Committee Email: [email protected] Secretary: Miranda Rawlinson: Statistican and Club Records: Neil Boden Social Events: Val Chesterton 62928994 (h) 62574682 (h) [email protected] 62424038 (h) 62499428 (w). Email at home: Jenny Galvin 62925294 (h) Monika Short Email: [email protected] [email protected] or at work 62958625 (h). Treasurer: Paul Archer: [email protected] Run/Walk Handicaps: Alan Duus Email: 62813872 (h) [email protected] [email protected] Handicap Rosters: Tony Fenotti 6231 3337 Assets register, Insurance. Awards Registrar: Mick Corlis 62963969 (h) (h) Sub-Committee 62750753 (w) Main Committee: [email protected] Uniform and Badges Sales: Rosemary / Bob Throwing Handicaps: Trish Thomas Kevin Chamberlain 62992169 (h), 61272008 Parker 62882508.