V E T R U N N E R New Editorial Email address: [email protected] Volume 24 Issue 1— June, 2003 A MEMORABLE DAY FOR FORMER PRESIDENT . Rain, in the main, is not in vain. It may have been all right during the races but it certainly was coming down before and after the events as you can see by the umbrellas. handicappers and each of them . AS HE CHALKS made valuable contributions towards improving the UP HIS TWO program. They were: HUNDRED RUNS Pat Robertson 1981; Alan Johnson 1982 – 83; By Bryan Thomas Duane Lowry 1983 – 86; Because my 200 monthly running Stuart Manley 1986 – 88; handicaps span most of the history of Colin Bridge 1988 – 2001; this unique and popular event I have Peter Davies 2001; Prue Bradford 2002 – 03. been fortunate to witness and in many instances been part of its evolution. The first major change to I was equal 10th person to reach 50 how Mike Adler had originally handicaps (October 1987), 3rd to make organized the handicaps was 100 (November 1992), 2nd to 150 the introduction of group (January 1998) and again 2nd to 200. starts in 1983. This was This is an opportune time to recall proposed by Brian Paxman some of the significant developments and implemented by then that have made our monthly running handicapper Duane Lowry. The presentation of the handicap program so successful. Memorable day at Fadden Pines. Bryan Thomas The first veterans’ handicap races special blue sleeved T-shirt to becomes only the second runner to have taken part were organised by Mike Adler in 1979 Gentleman Joe Mayer for in 200 handicaps. and were conducted in Stromlo Forest. having completed 50 handicap runs in As I didn’t run my first handicap 1985 saw a dramatic improvement in eagerly sought. I am proud to until April 1981 I didn’t have the participation rates. From then on acknowledge that the special T-shirt was pleasure of receiving a handicap from runners were loath to miss a run my proposal and in fact my design. without a very good reason. Obviously the event’s originator and first Seven years later we needed another veteran athletes like their Handicapper Mike Adler. to recognize 100 runs, so the red sleeved accomplishments being recognized and However I have run under the T-shirt (designed by Carol Harding) was direction of the other seven the new T-shirt was something to be (Continued on Page 4) Page 2 — June Vetrunner At the Fadden Pines Handicaps. Clockwise from the top left: Although it’s been a long time since his last medal, Alan Williams, left, gets up to take the gold medal in the Thomas Series. On Alan’s left is Diana Schneider who won the bronze medal and Bernie Rogers who took the silver. In the Waddell. It has been some time since Al Mallory got up in a handicap event. He got the gold. The silver medal went to Terry Munro and the bronze to Nola De Chazal. Better late than never. Tanya Colyer the winner, right, with Diann Bramwell silver, got the medals in the revised places in the Waddell walking event at O’Connor Ridge. The Mullins winners. Graeme Small was the winner in the Thomas Series and Brenda Ford took the trophy in the Frylink Series. Amanda Lynch was the winner in the Waddell Series. The Frylink winners. Alan Norden, right, got up to take the gold medal from Adrian Krauss. Grahame Delaney got the bronze. June Vetrunner — Page 3 As I write this message, it is one Championships. These Championships week before the Annual General FROM YOUR were inaugurated under Ray Green’s Meeting. In the ACTVAC Annual Report leadership and are an annual fixture in for 2002-2003 I featured the unity of the PRESIDENT Canberra. Club and the continued development of Can you imagine this Club without policies over the year. In this month’s the track and field nights deserve to be Vetrunner? I simply cannot get by each message, I want to touch upon some better supported by members. month without the detailed accounts of other features of the past 12 months The Monthly Running Handicaps the various Club events prepared by Jim that space did not permit me to include provide special problems of logistics and O’Donnell, Bryan Thomas and others. I in my annual report. access. The Handicaps Sub-Committee, particularly enjoy reading first-hand The 2002-2003 membership reached and Prue Bradford as Handicapper, accounts by members of their 523, including an increased percentage again triumphed over every obstacle, experiences in events around the of women members, 38% (highest ever) - some of them in the form of locked gates country and overseas. an excellent result. But your and demands by outside bodies for fees. The sub-committees and individuals membership fees are only a small part of Continued strong participation rates are again drew upon their skills to provide the financial basis of this Club. a tribute to the quality of the events. membership registration, event The grants we receive from The Monthly Throwing Handicaps management, catering, coaching groups, government and non-government bodies under the guiding hand of Trish Thomas record certificates, Club administration, enable the Club to maintain a high level are another “entry point” for new webmaster services, grants applications, of service. We continued our cost-neutral members as well as a “must attend” for social events, new uniforms, upgrading policy in providing for participation in older members familiar with the of our equipment, first aid and an our events for a very modest entry fee. mysteries of the shot, discus, hammer, awards system that is the best in the When you consider the very considerable javelin and heavy weight throws. country. costs incurred in providing services such We had three ACTVAC members on Overseeing and supporting all these as refreshments, equipment, childcare, the national body, Australian Masters multifaceted activities was the elected commemorative T-shirts, trophies and Athletics Inc. – Ray Green, Alice Scott Club Committee. I was proud to lead the medals for all our handicaps and track and Bob Banens. team as their skills showed through and field, it is amazing that the year The reputation of ACTVAC has for magnificently during the past year. ended with the forecast comparatively many years been high at the national All of this was done without small deficit. level, and our views as a highly payment, for the love of the sport and Once again we had a superb track successful state/territory body are heard the Club. I thank all our hard-working and field season, which in its range of with respect. We once again hosted and volunteers on behalf of all of you, the events and efficient operation is the best ran the National Winter Throwing members. JOHN veterans’ program in the nation. Our after-events suppers (which were falling into abeyance a couple of years ago) ACTVAC IS IN NEED OF A CLUB MEMBER TO BE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED IN provided a pleasant conclusion to each COMPUTER USE, IN PARTICULAR, MS WORD, PUBLISHER AND ANY PHOTO evening’s events. Many of us believe that PROGRAM. HE/SHE WILL ACT, WHEN REQUIRED, AS DEPUTY EDITOR. CONTACT THE EDITOR OR A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE. (Details below) ACT VETERANS ATHLETIC CLUB “Fitness Through Fellowship” The Vetrunner is the official Newsletter of ACTVAC 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 Jayne Hardy 62271443 (h) and Lynn Williams (Monthly Hcps) Throwing Handicapper, Weight President: John Hunt 62419392 0412262257 (m) Coaching and 62474127 (h). Pentathlon: Trish Thomas Training Sub-Committee. (62963278) (h) 62748035 (w) Course Measurement: Terry Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Stuart J Reid 62942368 (h) Levings 62824190 (h). Run/Walking Handicap Sub- Equipment Officer: Ken Gowans Uniform and Badges Sales: Vice President: Ray Green Committee. 62881651 (h) 62656751 (w). Rosemary/Bob Parker 62882508 62316712 (h), Membership Email: [email protected] (h). Services Sub-Committee. Membership Services Roger Stewart 62882798 (h) Sub- Committee: Dave Vetrunner Editor: Jim O’Donnell Secretary: Sharon Gibbins 62838329 (w) Administration and Mackenzie 62885891 (h). 62513016 (h) 62910047 (h). Email: Club Structure Sub-Committee. Health and Safety Officer: Roy Email: [email protected] sharon.gibbins@ telstra.com Pam Weiss 62928056 (h) Email: Jones 62510148 (h). Vetrunner Distribution: Roger [email protected] Treasurer: Nev Madden Relays and Cross Country: Jim Abbott 62514051 and Jenny 0413044899. Assets register, White 62314168 (h). Galvin 62925294. Other Contacts: Insurance. Email: Registrar: Mick Corlis 62963969 Run/Walking Handicap Sub- nev.madden@ defence.gov.au Athletic Events Sub-Committee: Committee, Vetrunner Team: Neil Boden 62414023 (h) 62499428 (h) 62750753 (w) Committee: Email:[email protected] Doug Fry 62886439 (h) (w) Email: Nboden@austarmetro. Email:[email protected] Bob Banens 62623405 (h) com.au Social Sub-Committee: Val 4145844902 (m) Awards Sub-Committee, Half Chesterton 62928994 (h) Jenny Marquee: Permanently at the AIS. Athletic Events Sub-Committee. Marathon: Bryan Thomas Galvin 69925294 (h) Monika Short For use contact Sharon Gibbins. 62958625 (h). Prue Bradford 62815636 (h) 62963278 (h) Email: First Aid Officers: Roy Jones, 62778216 (w) Run/Walking [email protected] Statistican and Club Records: Vince Craig, John Ison, Allan Handicap Sub-Committee. Catering/Lost Property: John Quentin Anthony 62863885 Email: Morris, Gai Webster, Michelle Email: [email protected] Suiter (Track) 62959524 (h). Kent [email protected] Granville and Marlene Reid. Page 4— June Vetrunner TWO HUNDRED HANDICAP EVENTS ACT VETERANS (Continued from Page 1) was conducted in January 1991.