Doncaster Newsletter 40+
Edition 90
VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS EDITION!
The Victorian Masters’ Track and Field Championships were held at Doncaster 16 &17 March. Both individually and collectively, DAC athletes put on an awesome showing. They were also a very supportive and encouraging group towards each other, regardless of events, age groups or athletic ability! This is a very positive feature of the DAC Masters team!
In the Women’s events athletes were Kim Peak, Kath Gawthorn, Laura McLennan, Sue Kilmartin, Allison Parrott, Melinda Davey-Uecker, Wendy Smith, Lakmarli Anthony and Deb Garden!
In the Men’s events athletes were Paul Mierisch, Darryl Kilmartin, Campbell McLennan, Sean Peters, Gerald Brown, Jason Merrett, John Curry, Paul Rawady and Jim Poulter!
A few others from the Masters’ team attended as much-appreciated helpers and officials:
Darryl Kilmartin, Andy Parrott & Allan Watson (who were there at stupid o’clock for setup). Many thanks to Graham Ford for his video work, which was no mean feat in the warm conditions, and with so much action to capture. Hopefully he will himself be back and running soon. There were also a number of our Junior DAC members out there and assisting. Peter Coumaros’ coaching in throws was certainly apparent with excellent performances by many in those disciplines. Many thanks for your dedicated work, Peter!
The total medal haul stands at 15 Gold, 9 Silver and 6 Bronze! There were numerous PBs, SBs, and a few DAC Club Records!
A few athletes came into the Championships with niggling injuries and chose a lighter program (1 or 2 events). Some are in their final stages of preparation for the Australian Masters Championships in a little under 2 weeks’ time! Best of luck to All competing!Following the weekend’s efforts, some of us enjoyed a Monday night off and a well-earned meal at the pub!
Congratulations to:
Kim Peak (W55-59) – an amazing effort with 10 events over 2 days! At 10am on day 1 she could already be heard with the clanging together of 2 medals and wore a smile from ear to ear! She finished the weekend with 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medals! We wish Kim well at Nationals!
Melinda Davey-Uecker (W45-49) – Melinda competed in no less than 5 events and achieved 3 Gold and 2 Silver medals. She has been a newcomer to DAC this summer season, and we have welcomed her versatility and talent across both track and field! Melinda set new 60m and 100m Club Records! She is also a wonderful person to boot! Melinda is also travelling to compete in Hobart!
Wendy Smith (W50-54) – Ran in 3 extremely competitive sprints (60, 100, 200) as she prepares for Nationals! The 60m saw her take Gold also achieving a PB and a Club Record! 100m and 200m were also very close to best performances! Good luck in Hobart Wendy!
Laura McLennan (W45-49) – Laura has been putting in long hours training for throws, and it certainly paid off – Gold to her in both Weight Throw and Hammer Throw! The Hammer Throw, a new Club Record!
Sue Kilmartin (W50-55) – Came back from long-term injury to take an emphatic win in the 5000m! Running with Kath Gawthorn and Lakmarli Anthony, the trio set a cracking pace, and created a ‘wall of Donnie’ to stave off Sue’s nearest rival. The 3 finished within a second of one another, and with big smiles! Sue now seems ready for a fantastic winter season! It is great to have Sue back aboard!
Lakmarli Anthony (W35-39) – Lakmarli is a Ruffey Runner who had a massive weekend of competition – her first ever! 400m, 1500m and 5000m, and achieved a Bronze in the 5000m! Lakmarli is now set to join DAC!
Allison Parrott (W50-55) – Competed in the 1500m on Day 1 and gunned it for a Gold medal and Victorian Title! Way to go Ali!
Deb Garden (W40-44) – We all held our breath as Deb took on the 800m, which was her major focus for summer 23/24! She had a plan for the race and knew her opposition. Laura Tomic from Casey Venue set a cracking pace, with Deb in hot pursuit. The pace was such that Deb simply couldn’t kick past, as planned. However, she achieved a PB, DAC Club Record and Silver! What an inspiring effort!
Kath Gawthorn (W45-49) – Competed in the 1500m and 5000m and was pleased with her quickest 5000m since 2016, and achieving a DAC Club Record. Kath hopes to keep up the positive momentum over the Winter XCR season.
Paul Mierisch (M45-49) – Paul had a quiet weekend (by his standards), running the 400m to achieve Silver. Injury has seen some of his recent running curtailed and we wish him all the best with his comeback!
Campbell McLennan (M50-54) – In the 1500mhe really looked the goods, charged past his main rival in the home straight and achieved gold and a fantastic time of 4.52.3. He also took on the Pole Vault and was awarded Silver!
Darryl Kilmartin (M55-59) – All the Pole Vault practice paid off with a PB of 2.70m, a Club Record and a Gold medal! Congratulations Darryl!
Sean Peters (M40-44) – Sean had a very busy weekend with 3 jumps events, and a 100m. He achieved Bronze in the 3 jumps and a PB in the 100m! We look forward to seeing him back in action during summer 24/25!
John Curry (M55-59) – John focused on the 5000m, one of his pet events, and achieved a Silver medal. We look forward to seeing John back in action during XCR 2024!
Jason Merrett (M50-54) – Despite talent across many of the athletic disciplines,Jason also focused on the 5000m. He came up against strong competition in his age group.
Paul Rawady (M60-64) – Paul (M60-64) is a Ruffey Runner and achieved Gold in his first ever Javelin competition “I’ve waited 45 years for this!” was Paul’s comment afterwards! A natural talent and we hope to see much more of Paul in Summer 24/25!
Jim Poulter (M80-84) – Jim Poulter continued to do what no other Victorian man aged 80+ can do – leapt 1.80 metres in his Pole vault to achieve Gold!
Gerald Brown (M60-64) – Gerald had a very busy weekend as he took on all four sprints (60, 100, 200 and 400m)! He has been working very hard and has clear strength over the final stages of these events. In the 200m,the crowd were excited as he edged his way closer to a tiring Ivan Dodin (Diamond Valley). A few more metres and Ivan would have been caught! Gerald achieved Gold in the 400m, Silver in both 100/200m and Bronze in 60m! Will he move up to 800m!!??
Congratulations to All on a fantastic weekend of athletics! Best wishes to those set to compete in Hobart!
DAC Club Records:
(Records attached)
| Date | Event | Name | Perf | Previous | |||
| 3/16/2024 | Vic Champs | F45 | 100 metres | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 14.72 | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 14.89 |
| 3/16/2024 | Vic Champs | F45 | Hammer Throw | Laura McLennan | 22.54 | Charmaine Smith | 22.33 |
| 3/16/2024 | Vic Champs | F45 | Long Jump | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 4.45 | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 4.16 |
| 3/17/2024 | Vic Champs | F40 | 800 metres | Deb Garden | 02:29.7 | Deb Garden | 02:35.2 |
| 3/17/2024 | Vic Champs | F45 | 60 metres | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 9.07 | Wendy Smith | 9.49 |
| 3/17/2024 | Vic Champs | F45 | 5000 metres | Kath Gawthorn | 24:05.9 | Kath Gawthorn | 25.29.5 |
| 3/17/2024 | Vic Champs | F50 | 60 metres | Wendy Smith | 9.38 | Wendy Smith | 9.49 |
| 3/17/2024 | Vic Champs | M55 | Pole Vault | Darryl Kilmartin | 2.70 | Darryl Kilmartin | 2.65 |
Full Results:
| Day 1 | ||||||
| Grade | Discipline | Distance | Name | Performance | Wind | |
| F35-39 | Run | 400 | Lakmarli Anthony | 81.73 | ||
| F35-39 | Run | 1500 | Lakmarli Anthony | 06:21.5 | ||
| F45-49 | Run | 100 | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 14.72 | (Record) | 1st |
| F45-49 | Run | 1500 | Kathryn Gawthorn | 06:52.3 | ||
| F45-49 | Hammer | Laura McLennan | 22.54m | (Record) | 1st | |
| F45-49 | Long Jump | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 4.45m | (Record) | 1st | |
| F45-49 | Weight Throw | Laura McLennan | 6.79m | 1st | ||
| F50-54 | Run | 100 | Wendy Smith | 15.35 | ||
| F50-54 | Run | 1500 | Allison Parrott | 07:26.5 | 1st | |
| F50-54 | Javelin | Susan Kilmartin | 15.62m | |||
| F55-59 | Run | 400 | Kim Peak | 01:41.6 | ||
| F55-59 | Walk | 3000 | Kim Peak | 22:59.7 | 1st | |
| F55-59 | Hammer | Kim Peak | 25.05m | |||
| F55-59 | Weight Throw | Kim Peak | 8.15m | |||
| M40-44 | Run | 100 | Sean Peters | 12.50 | ||
| M40-44 | High Jump | Sean Peters | 1.45m | 3rd | ||
| M40-44 | Long Jump | Sean Peters | 5.01m | 1.9 | 3rd | |
| M45-49 | Run | 400 | Paul Mierisch | 55.65 | 2nd | |
| M50-54 | Run | 1500 | Campbell McLennan | 04:52.3 | 1st | |
| M60-64 | Run | 100 | Gerald Brown | 13.77 | 2nd | |
| M60-64 | Run | 400 | Gerald Brown | 66.60 | 1st | |
| M60-64 | Javelin | Paul Rawady | 29.02m | 1st | ||
| Day 2 | ||||||
| F35-39 | Run | 5000 | Lakmarki Anthony | 24.04.3 | 3rd | |
| F40-44 | Run | 800 | Deb Garden | 02:29.7 | (Record) | 2nd |
| F45-49 | Run | 60 | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 9.07 | (Record) | 1st |
| F45-49 | Run | 5000 | Kathryn Gawthorn | 24:05.9 | (Record) | |
| F45-49 | Discus | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 17.64m | 2nd | ||
| F45-49 | Shot Put | Melinda Davey-Uecker | 6.69m | 2nd | ||
| F50-54 | Run | 60 | Wendy Smith | 9.38 | (Record) | 1st |
| F50-54 | Run | 200 | Wendy Smith | 32.76 | 0 | |
| F50-54 | Run | 5000 | Susan Kilmartin | 24:05.1 | 1st | |
| F55-59 | Run | 60 | Kim Peak | 13.33 | -2.2 | 2nd |
| F55-59 | Run | 800 | Kim Peak | 04:04.8 | 3rd | |
| F55-59 | Discus | Kim Peak | 18.05m | |||
| F55-59 | Shot Put | Kim Peak | 6.19m | |||
| F55-59 | Triple Jump | Kim Peak | 4.35m | -0.5 | 1st | |
| M40-44 | Triple Jump | Sean Peters | 10.67m | 0 | 3rd | |
| M50-54 | Run | 5000 | Jason Merrett | 21:03.8 | ||
| M50-54 | Pole Vault | Campbell McLennan | 2.60m | 2nd | ||
| M55-59 | Run | 5000 | John Curry | 20:51.3 | 2nd | |
| M55-59 | Pole Vault | Darryl Kilmartin | 2.70m | (Record) | 1st | |
| M60-64 | Run | 60 | Gerald Brown | 8.67 | 0 | 3rd |
| M60-64 | Run | 200 | Gerald Brown | 28.19 | 0 | 2nd |
| M80-84 | Pole Vault | Jim Poulter | 1.80m | 1st |
More Masters News!
Best of luck to those competing in the VMA throws pentathlon this weekend at Murrumbeena!
Entries for the VMA Gift (Held at Doncaster on April 7) close on April 3. The event includes throws, jumps, walks, sprints and distance! Use the following link to enter: https://emlsports.com/registration/2024-vma-30-athletics-gift
XCR season starts on April 27 and AV have just emailed their season 24/25 fee structure. Season subscriptions are due April 1. Stay tuned for registration opening. Please contact DAC registrar Campbell McLennan with any enquiries (registrar@doncasterac.org.au)
Job Vacant — VMA Operation Manager
With the increasing membership and the expansion of events, the VMA is looking for an operation manager to help the committee and volunteers take the organisation to the next level.
The position would suit somebody with proven organisational and administrative skills, who is currently either part-time or retired with flexible hours. The appointee will work closely with the VMA committee and secretary. The job covers the whole year, but with more work over the six months from November to April.
The position is open to members or anyone that a member might consider suitable for the position.
Job Description
The precise job description is negotiable to some extent, as the organisation also has volunteers who can fill some roles. However, the tasks which need to be completed are as follows:
· Co-ordination of competition hubs, with a focus on growth initiatives
· Co-ordination of mid-week venues in conjunction with Venue Managers
· Championship event management (where no VMA volunteers are available)
· Maintaining events calendar
· Uniforms Officer
· Management of membership database (the technical aspects of the database are setup and maintained by an external provider)
· Dealing with membership enquiries
· Co-ordination of social media
· Website content maintenance (in conjunction with the technical web supervisor)
· Support for Footprints editor (Footprints is our regular magazine for members)
· Maintain VMA by-laws
· Special Projects co-ordinator (e.g. track signage, digital initiative administration)
The position will be offered as a self-employed contractor. The remuneration will be appropriate for the complexity of the work and the hours involved. Computer skills are essential.
Those seeking more information should contact the VMA secretary by email at secretary@vicmastersaths.org.au
Applications should be sent by email to the secretary. They should include a brief CV and at least two referees who can attest to the appropriate experience of the applicant.
Thanks to Kath Gawthorn and Graham Ford for the newsletter.
Stay fit & stay safe.
40+ Team Manager
Campbell McLennan
0414 533 677
Doncaster Athletic Club
Website: www.doncasterac.org.au
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