Australian Athletics is proud to announce the election of four new Life Members at its Annual General Meeting held in Melbourne today.
Former Australian steeplechase record holder Shaun Creighton (ACT) is acknowledged for his service as an athlete, coach, administrator and selector alongside three of the country’s outstanding leaders in technical officiating – Fiona Brown (WA/NT), Caroline Jackman (SA) and Brian Smith (QLD).
Fiona Brown (WA/NT)
For more than 30 years, Fiona Brown has contributed across numerous areas of athletics, including international and national technical officiating, membership of national committees and advisory groups, state and club administration, competition and event delivery, coaching and coach education, officials education, assessment and mentoring, regional and remote athletics development support for athletes, volunteers and Member Associations.
Fiona’s contribution extends well beyond length of service. Since joining an athletics club in 1992–93, she has served the sport as an athlete, coach, technical official, administrator, committee member, educator, mentor and volunteer. Her work has strengthened competition delivery, developed officials and coaches, supported athletes and advanced athletics in regional and remote communities across the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Fiona made an outstanding contribution to athletics in WA for more than three decades, particularly through her exceptional service as a technical official, administrator, leader and mentor.
Fiona commenced officiating in WA in October 1994 and has since demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development and advancement of athletics at club, state, national and international levels. Her contribution began at club level, where she served as treasurer of Karrinyup AC from 1994 to 1997. From these early beginnings, Fiona progressed to increasingly significant roles within the sport, establishing herself as one of Australia’s most respected and accomplished athletics officials.
In 2015, she was a key member of the working group that established the WA Athletics Officials Club, contributing to the development of its constitution and inaugural strategic plan. She was subsequently elected as the club’s inaugural president, providing important leadership in establishing a dedicated organisation to support, develop and advocate for athletics officials in WA.
Fiona has to date devoted the majority of her athletics service to WA, including many years living and working in regional communities such as Kambalda, Merredin, Pinjarra, Kununurra and Waroona.
During this period, Fiona contributed as a competitor, coach, official, administrator and volunteer. She officiated at all levels of the sport, supported the delivery of local, state and national competitions and played an important role in developing and mentoring emerging officials.
Fiona moved to Alice Springs in early 2022 to take up the position of Central Region Coordinator with School Sport within Education Northern Territory. Since relocating, she has continued to make a contribution to athletics in the Northern Territory while maintaining her involvement at the national level.
Fiona has provided support to Athletics NT through technical officiating, competition delivery, coach and official education, mentoring and regional development. Her presence in Central Australia has strengthened the capacity of the sport in an area where access to experienced coaches and educators can be limited.
She has supported local and Territory competitions, assisted with the interpretation and application of competition rules and shared her extensive experience with volunteers, coaches and administrators. Her contribution is particularly valuable because she understands both community-level delivery and the requirements of national and international competition. Fiona brings the same professionalism, patience and attention to detail to a regional education course or local competition as she does to a major championship.
One of the defining features of Fiona’s service is her commitment to developing others. Drawing on her experience as a teacher, she has become a highly respected educator and mentor within athletics. She has consistently shared her knowledge and encouraged others to progress through the officiating pathway, helping build the capability and confidence of the next generation of officials.
Fiona does not simply perform an officiating or coaching role; she actively builds the knowledge and confidence of those around her. She takes the time to explain rules, provide constructive feedback and support developing officials and coaches to achieve the level to which they aspire.
Her influence is multiplied through the many people she has trained, assessed, encouraged and mentored. These individuals continue to contribute to athletics at club, state and national levels, creating an enduring legacy for the sport.
Fiona has established an exceptional record as a technical official and is currently accredited as a World Athletics Silver Referee – further demonstrating her technical knowledge and standing within the sport. She has officiated extensively at national championships and international competitions, earning the respect of athletes, fellow officials and event organisers for her technical knowledge, professionalism and commitment to fair competition.
Her major international appointments include service as a sport-specific volunteer at the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and as a national technical official at both the Melbourne 2006 and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, demonstrating a high level of expertise, integrity and professionalism.
Her leadership and expertise in administration and event organisation has also been recognised through significant national appointments. In 2012–13, Fiona served on the AA Track and Field Advisory Committee and in 2019, she was appointed as an inaugural member of the Officials Advisory Committee (AAOAC), established jointly by AA and Little Athletics Australia. Since 2023 she has served on the AA Officials Operational Committee. Through these roles, she has contributed to national officiating standards, education, evaluation, selection and mentoring.
Fiona has continued to make a significant contribution to the delivery of major athletics competitions, serving as co-Meeting Manager for the 2023 Australian All Schools Championships in Perth together with her roles with School Sport Australia including time as its National Athletics coordinator. Her ability to combine technical expertise with effective leadership and event management has made her an invaluable contributor to major championships.
Fiona was named AA Official of the Year in 2020 and was a joint recipient of the AA President’s Award in 2021. In 2024, she received the AA Gold Service Award, recognising an extraordinary 30 years of service to athletics. Fiona is also a Life Member of Athletics West, further reflecting the esteem in which she is held and the considerable impact she made across the organisation and the broader WA athletics community. These honours demonstrate both the longevity and exceptional quality of Fiona’s contribution to Australian athletics.
Fiona’s commitment to athletics extends beyond her impressive list of appointments and achievements. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the development of officials, supported the governance and administration of the sport, and helped strengthen the structures through which athletics is delivered in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and nationally. Her service has been characterised by professionalism, dedication, fairness and a genuine commitment to the ongoing success of athletics – extending across officiating, administration, education, coaching, mentoring and regional development.
Continuously since 1993, her service has improved the quality of competition, strengthened the national officiating workforce, developed coaches and volunteers, and expanded opportunities for athletes in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.
Fiona has consistently placed the needs of athletes and the sport first, giving generously of her time, knowledge and experience. Her calm manner, technical expertise, integrity and willingness to assist have made her a trusted and highly respected member of the Australian athletics community.
Fiona’s ongoing and broad contribution to athletics in Australia is exceptional and sustained, Her record of service, leadership, technical excellence and commitment to the development of athletics fully warranting the highest recognition of service to the sport at club, state, national and international levels for more than three decades.
SHAUN CREIGHTON (ACT)
As a first reaction it would be the easy answer to remark that the contribution of Shaun Creighton to Australian athletics has been his record as an athlete. But that would be selling his service short – despite his athletics career being one of great substance.
In many ways Shaun was a late starter as an elite athlete. He won only one national championships medal as an under-age athlete – a bronze medal in the 2000m steeplechase in the Under 20 Nationals in 1987. And for the following two years, there were few results worth noting.
But Shaun somehow, despite not competing at national level at the beginning of 1989, clearly had the Auckland Commonwealth Games in his sights – perhaps inspired by his new base in Ballarat. Not that getting to the Games was all that easy. Whilst Athletics Australia reversed its 1989-90 season calendar to have plenty of competition around the country, this coincided with the national pilots’ strike which brought regular commercial aviation to a standstill around the country.
Breakthrough performances came in Melbourne and Hobart in early November, before victory in the Games Trials in Sydney a month later. A career was born and come Auckland, Shaun was fifth in a very competitive race and seventh on the Australian all-time list. The rest, as it is said, is history but nonetheless takes a fair time to tell.
In all Shaun represented Australia in major teams on an incredible 26 occasions – two Olympics, four Commonwealth Games, five World Championships, a World Indoors, two World Cups, a world half marathon, two World University and a fabulous eight World Cross Country Championships. In the remaining competition – the 1991 World University Games, he was the gold medallist in the steeplechase.
Other notable results were another gold in the World University Cross Country in 1992, a silver over 5000m and a steeple bronze in the 1998 and 1992 World Cups respectively. In the highly competitive and huge fields of the World Cross, Shaun was twice in the top 30. Overall, he represented Australia over distances from 3000 metres to the marathon.
Shaun has, to date, won medals in Australian open championships over a period spanning three decades – made possible after an 18-year hiatus – when he picked up a bronze in the 50km road running in 2021.
In the higher profile part of his career, Shaun was a national champion on 11 occasions – from the 3000m steeple to the marathon. There were also five minor medals. He was an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder from 1990 to 2000.
His career endures as a masters’ athlete with many noteworthy results.
Shaun’s list of personal bests is impressive – highlighting the breadth of his repertoire over a long career: 1000m – 2:23.1 (1990), 1500m – 3:38.59 (1993), mile – 3:59.46 (1995), 2000m – 5:03.00 (1992), 3000m – 7:41.60 (1995), 5000m – 13:17.76 (1995), 10000m – 27:31.92 (1996), half marathon – 1:03:34 (1998), marathon – 2:10:22, Berlin (1997)and 3000m steeple – 8:16.22 (1993).
Although fewer in number, his national records palmarès is arguably more impressive. Shaun first set a national 3000m steeplechase in December 1992 before improving it to 8.16.22 seven months later – a mark which endured until August 2025 – a total reign of just under 33 years. His record of 27.31.92 for 10,000m stood unchallenged from November 1996 until April 2009 whilst he held the 3000m flat mark for more than five years from 1995.
Whilst at the very height of his elite career, Shaun found himself very much at the centre of the sport’s administration at national level. Joining the Athletes Commission in 1992, he quickly became one of its leaders – so much so that for a three-year term from 1994 to 1996 he was its representative on the Athletics Australia Board as a member with full voting rights. He also served on the International Tours Commission.
Shaun’s next significant contribution to the sport began after the 2012 London Olympics when he was appointed a national selector. To ensure continuity and transfer of knowledge from one selection panel to another, Shaun remains in the role 13 years on. His contribution both as an athlete and his membership of the legal profession has been and remains invaluable.
Twelve years earlier Shaun demonstrated his understanding of selection. He made the decision, having qualified for and been selected for both the 5000m and 10000m for the Sydney Olympics, to give up his place in the shorter event having gained the assurance from the selectors that they would offer it to a young rising star – Craig Mottram. It said much about Shaun’s thoughtfulness and integrity.
Shaun has always been interested in coaching and early in his career (1992-93) was an AIS coaching scholarship holder. Prior to completing his legal studies, Shaun explored elite coaching roles.
At the end of 2005 the national high-performance distance centre was established at the Victorian Institute of Sport and Shaun was appointed the national event coordinator. During that time he found himself in demand as team official – as team manager for the World Cross in Japan and coach for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and Beijing Ekiden. He coached athletes including Brett Cartwright, Emily Brichacek and Melissa Rollinson to successful results.
Shaun was the recipient of AA’s Edwin Flack Award in 2019. The Award acknowledges distinguished service to the sport by athletes in other ways. Named in honour of this country’s first ever Olympian and gold medallist, just one award is made in respect of each year. His additional service to the sport to that time fully justified his selection.
But more has followed not only in terms of his enduring role as a national selector.
Australia’s role as host of the World Cross Country in Bathurst was twice put on delay but when it was eventually confirmed to be staged in February 2023 a change in approach was required. It meant that the event’s Company Board would serve as the local organising committee with, contrary to current practice, the directors taking hands-on roles.
Shaun’s contribution in this role was both immense and diverse – on governance and legal matters right through to spectator planning and perhaps most importantly for him what would be best for the athlete experience. He was a strong advocate for the additional elements included in the event plan – the reunion for former Australian team members and the addition of mass participation events.
He has provided legal advice and support on both a pro bono and professional basis to Australian Athletics and other athletics bodies and event organisers.
Shaun Creighton is a fine example of a champion on the track maintaining his passion for the sport in myriad ways for the benefit of it.
CAROLINE JACKMAN (SA)
Caroline Perry was a dedicated athlete who made her mark at both state and national level as a junior and senior. The javelin throw was her chosen event – her career crossing the changeover from the old model women’s 600 gram implement to that which is now used. Her personal best was 49.16m.
The former state champion, now Caroline Jackman, has served athletics for more than 30 years and is now one of Australia’s most highly qualified officials. She has made a significant contribution to the South Australian athletics community through sustained voluntary service as an official at club and state level – and in turn nationally and internationally.
Caroline now officiates at most Athletics SA track and field events, including state championships, and plays a central role throughout the summer season. As field referee and chief field judge, she also mentors developing officials and supports their progression within the sport and has been President of the SA Officials Club.
After progressing quickly through the national officials qualifications that were then available, Caroline obtained the IAAF Level Diploma in Officiating in 2013 and was appointed to the Oceania Area Technical Official (now Silver Referees) Panel in 2014 where she served until taking the next step up the ladder ten years later.
In 2018, Caroline was appointed to the World Para Athletics (WPA) Panel of International Technical Officials as one of only two Australians, and she has continued to be appointed to that panel, reflecting the high regard in which she is held internationally. In 2024, she achieved the highest level of qualification under the World Athletics education system as a Gold Referee.
Major WPA appointments include as an international technical official (ITO) and field referee for the 2020 (2021) Tokyo and 2024 Paris Paralympics and the 2025 Sydney Marathon, as the video referee for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi and as Technical Delegate for 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships.
These appointments distinguish Caroline from her peers and demonstrate her commitment to attaining international qualifications, maintaining high professional standards and representing Australian athletics with distinction overseas.
Her first international competition appointment came soon after her retirement as an athlete when she was selected as a field judge for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Come the Gold Coast edition of those Games in 2018, she had progressed through the officiating ranks to become one of four chief judges appointed for field events. By then it was a role she had also performed many times at state and national events.
Caroline engages in both administration and officiating on a voluntary basis, demonstrating exceptional passion, dedication and commitment to supporting young officials, athletes and the broader athletics community in South Australia and nationally.
Caroline is a life member of Athletics SA, has served on its Board and is a long-term member of its Track and Field Committee. Her involvement in these demonstrates Caroline’s commitment to the growth of the sport, not only from an officiating standpoint, but to a sport overall.
Caroline was recognised as the official of the year in the 2018 Australian Athletics Annual Awards and with the same honour in the same year at the South Australian Sports Federation Awards. She has also been acknowledged by Athletics SA for her outstanding achievements.
Caroline is a life member of her club – Tea Tree Gully AC having been a member for more than 30 years. In addition to her contribution as an athlete, she has coached successful throws athletes, officiating throughout those times and represented TTGAC at interclub events and state championships.
Her contribution demonstrates Caroline’s outstanding capability, sustained commitment and significant service as an athletics official and administrator in Australia and beyond. Her involvement has strengthened officiating standards, supported athlete development and enriched the athletics community at club, state, national and international level.
Caroline is always an enthusiastic volunteer for local organising committees for AA tour meets and national championships held in South Australia. Her vigilance in ensuring technical readiness and compliance and adequate supplies of equipment is particularly valuable amongst her other contributions.
The AA Technical Committee has been stronger for her membership since its establishment and she has been part of the leadership group delivering the next generation of national competition directors and technical delegates. Her grasp of the WPA rules and her empathy and understanding of what is required for athletes across the classifications is invaluable to the committee’s work and the delivery of competitions.
Caroline is a first-choice competition director for AA circuit meets and championships. After been given little notice for her first appointment in the role, she has taken to the role like a duck to water – quickly earning respect amongst key service providers for her calm and thoughtful approach especially when the unexpected occurs.
Caroline’s voluntary commitment to athletics sees no boundaries and is particularly motivated by her passion and desire to support athletes and young officials. She is a worthy nominee for life membership of Australian Athletics.
BRIAN SMITH (QLD)
Brian Smith is one of Australia’s most respected and accomplished athletics officials, whose contribution to the sport spans five decades across officiating, coaching, mentorship and leadership.
Beginning his athletics journey in Townsville as a talented young javelin thrower, Brian developed a lifelong passion for athletics that would shape an extraordinary career of service to the sport. As both a highly regarded throws coach and an internationally recognised technical official, he has devoted countless years to ensuring athletes are provided with the opportunity to compete in fair, safe and professionally conducted competitions.
Brian commenced his international officiating career at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and has since built a reputation for technical expertise, professionalism, integrity and leadership. From local club competitions in North Queensland through to the Olympic Games, his contribution has helped shape the delivery and development of athletics across Australia and the Oceania region.
Widely respected throughout the athletics community, Brian is recognised not only for his extensive knowledge and experience, but also for his unwavering commitment to supporting and developing others. As a referee, chief official, mentor, coach and leader, he has influenced generations of athletes and officials, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the field of play.
Over an international officiating career spanning more than forty years, Brian has been selected to officiate at some of the world’s most prestigious athletics events, including the 1982, 2006 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, 1985 World Cup, 1996 World Juniors, 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, 2001 Goodwill Games, 2001 IAAF Grand Prix Final and multiple Oceania Championships in senior technical and officiating roles
These appointments reflect Brian’s outstanding technical expertise and the high regard in which he is held throughout the athletics community. Selection to officiate at major international competitions is testament to his ability to perform at the highest level while contributing to the successful delivery of world-class events.
Throughout this period, despite the personal cost of travel from Townsville, Brian has been a regular appointment at Australian Athletics Championships, serving in a range of senior officiating positions, including referee and chief judge – always happy to take on any role to which he was allocated. His experience, consistency and technical knowledge have earned him a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected championship officials.
Brian earned the IAAF Level Two Officiating Diploma and was a member of the Oceania Area Technical Officials (now Silver Referee) Panel from 2010 to 2013.
Brian has also dedicated decades of service to athletics throughout Queensland, contributing extensively to club, school, local, regional, North Queensland and Queensland Championships. His commitment has ensured athletes at every level have been supported through professionally conducted competitions delivered with fairness, safety and integrity.
While Brian’s international appointments and technical achievements are of the highest level, perhaps his most enduring contribution has been the impact he has had on people. He has mentored countless officials throughout Queensland and Australia, generously sharing his knowledge, experience and expertise. Many of today’s officials have benefitted directly from his guidance, encouragement and willingness to support their professional development through accreditation pathways and competition experience.
Brian’s continued commitment to grassroots athletics and his deep connection to regional athletics have never wavered. Despite reaching the highest levels of officiating through appointments at Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and international championships, he remains a familiar and valued presence at local competitions throughout North Queensland.
His willingness to mentor emerging officials, assist event organisers and contribute wherever needed has played a critical role in building officiating capacity throughout regional Queensland. Through his leadership, professionalism and example, Brian has inspired generations of volunteers and helped establish a culture of excellence that continues to benefit the sport.
Brian has been one of the most influential and respected figures in ANQ, demonstrating a genuine commitment to the growth and sustainability of athletics in regional Australia and through his leadership, mentorship and support, Brian has strengthened officiating standards, increased capacity and fostered a culture of excellence through the region.
Brian’s contribution to athletics extends well beyond officiating. For decades he has been a highly respected throws coach throughout North Queensland for his technical expertise, patience and athlete first approach, Brian has developed numerous athletes from grassroots participation through to state and national representation. His coaching philosophy emphasises not only performance outcomes but also personal growth, sportsmanship and a lifelong appreciation of the sport.
His highest achievers have included Jarrod Bannister in the formative part of his career, Asti Poole (bronze medallist in seated shot put at Melbourne Commonwealth Games) and his daughter Kate (silver medallist in Oceania Championships). Brian also served as an Australian team coach to the 1994 Oceania Championships in New Zealand.
Many athletes, coaches and officials credit Brian for providing guidance and opportunities that have shaped their involvement in athletics.
Few individuals have contributed to Australian athletics as comprehensively or as selflessly as Brian Smith. A life member of Townsville Athletics Club (of which he was president from 2000 to 2011), Athletics NQ and Queensland Athletics, Brian embodies the values of service, excellence, integrity and dedication.
He was a board member and treasurer of Athletics NQ from 1996 to 2011 and has been a member of its awards committee since 2020. He provided great input and demonstrated much personal pride in hosting events in his home city as a member of the local organising committees of the three editions of the Oceania Championships held in Townsville – 1996, 2004 and 2019.
Brian’s legacy is measured not only by the competitions he has officiated, but by the many individuals whose careers and involvement in athletics have flourished through his guidance, encouragement and support. His lifetime contribution to athletics is truly exceptional and worthy of the highest recognition.
