22.01.2010

Official-ly brilliant!

In the coming months more than 600 of Australia and the world’s best track and field stars will trek across the country competing as part of the Australian Athletics Tour before heading west for the 2&5 88^th Australian Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games Selection Trials.

What you may not know, however, is that without the hundreds of volunteer officials that also make the journey, showcasing the depth of Australian athletics talent would be virtually impossible.

Hailing from every state and territory across the country, Athletics Australia officials range from full time workers who allocate their annual leave to the cause, to retirees who make the annual pilgrimage with the same group of people they have travelled with since the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games.

Affectionately referred to as ‘Mother Pearl’, Brenda Pearl OAM is one such volunteer.

In 1982 Pearl, along with seven other still-active volunteers, donated her time to officiating at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games and every summer since has continued supporting the sport she loves.

“Athletics is not simply a sport to me, it’s a passion and I take pleasure in what I do,” she said.

“Not only has volunteering at the many meets provided me with lifelong friends and wonderful memories but also the feeling that I have in some way contributed to the development of our best athletes, our next Steve Hooker and our next Olympic medal.”

Townsville’s Brian Smith has volunteered with his wife Margaret Smith for more than 40 years. Significantly, and like in so many other cases, the couple are now joined on the circuit by their daughters Andrea and Kate.

In a similar fashion, IAAF photo finish judge Janet Nixon now makes the annual countrywide pilgrimage together with her father Ian White.

When meets are hosted in Sydney, the pair is joined by Nixon’s children and White’s wife. Passing on the baton to yet another generation, 11-year-old Linda is a reliable assistant in the all-important role of keeping the scoreboard up to date.

Importantly though, the sense of family amongst the volunteer officials is not only limited to surname.

Victorians Phyllis Anderson, Joy Bradbury, Sylvia Abbott, Marion Patterson and Jean Gell, all of whom are in their late eighties, have travelled together for decades and are now matriarchs of the officials’ family. Despite no longer heading interstate to officiate competition, the five continue to donate their time at Victorian meets.

And if there were to be two larrikin uncles, Kevin ‘Wiggy’ Wigmore and Tony ‘Rocket’ Williams are perfect fits for the mould. Collingwood Athletics Club stalwarts and former athletes, the pair can always be called on for a pre-dawn start, attendance at meets nationwide and most importantly, a good laugh.

“Sweeping the 50km walk path to start the season at Fawkner Park before the sunrise is my favourite activity each year,” Wigmore said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Dave (Athletics Australia competition manager David Gynther) and Loz (Athletics Australia competition coordinator Lorraine Morgan) always praise me about my sweeping ability and I practice for weeks leading up to the event.”

Gynther recognises the unwavering commitment to the sport of athletics that each of his officials possesses and said their involvement was key to the successful running of each and every Australian athletics season.

“Every year, people new to the sport of athletics are amazed to learn that the hundreds of officials we have at each meet are volunteers,” Gynther said.

“Our sport is lucky to have so many loyal supporters that year in, year out donate their time to benefit the sport.

“We couldn’t do what we do without them and I think that is why new faces in the athletics fraternity are so taken aback by the commitment of so many.”

On behalf of Athletics Australia, we say thank you for your contribution to the sport of athletics and thanks in advance for your continuing support as we head into the 2010 Australian Athletics Tour.