STAWELL ATHLETIC CLUB
THE FIRST 100 YEARS
Stawell must be one of Australia's most versatile country towns for successively, it has been, a 'sheep run', a
rich gold mining town and finally the home of one of Australia's greatest sporting events, The Stawell Gift.
That was one hundred years ago. Today it has all passed for Stawell is now a prosperous centre of
agriculture and local industries -wool and timber -in place of the miners and the gold.
Now all that remains of that gold era are the occasional rusted wheel, rotting balks of timber and the piles of
earth mute memorials to the toil, sweat joys and disappointments in delving the earth for gold which made
the Stawell of 100 years ago, rich.
However there is still one direct link with the past -1877- the sports meeting with its footrace started 100
years ago and now at Central Park. It has replaced the gold and it has been bringing wealth into Stawell in
the form of thousands of tourists and followers of athletics through the years.
The 100 years old Club is stronger than ever and at the "get set" for its second century.
To reach the century is an epoch for any individual or body and the Stawell Athletic Club have created their
own epoch with their Century which will be achieved at the 1977 Easter Gift Meeting.
Australians are often accused of being over obsessed with sport. But is this such a terrible thing if it is the
creation of a sporting event as that started by the pioneers of Stawell in 1877.
Those pioneer men, women and children far out from the cities in the 'Great Australian Loneliness' toiling by
hand in hacking out a living from the virgin bush, cultivating the never ending plains and those miners
sweating deep underground for a prize so often much more than a pittance.
All of them had to have their day of rest.
They turned to sport on that day. It was their way of relaxing and it was on such foundations all over this
country that the Australia the world knows today was built.
And these 'Pioneers of Stawell' were typical Australians.
Briefly that is just what happened at Stawell in 1877. In the then small town in the shadow of the everlasting
Grampians and set on the miles of the rolling Wimmera Plains when it was proposea that a sports meeting
would be 'held every Easter'.
It was to feature an Easter Gift which, almost from its inception, was known as 'The Stawell Gift'.
The promoters were a small group of young Stawell businessmen and farmers who said they wanted a
sports meeting. But as always with anything new in Australia they immediately had fierce opposition.
Opposition from an unexpected quarter, the gold miners, who were opposed because they already had their
own sports meeting in October and in 1877 their meeting was then a few years old.
The miners, then the majority in Stawell's population, had already decided on their weekend relaxation a few
years previous and they too had chosen the sport of their youth for their relaxation, athletics and a sports
meeting, the cheapest not only to stage but to take part in.
The miners had their own sports ground and when another meeting was mooted for Stawell they were very
angry although the two meetings would not clash one at Easter, the other in October.
The miners, rightly, were very jealous of their small, but successful, yearly meeting. They would not accept
the invitation of the new sports committee to attend the first meeting of the new club proposing an Easter
sports meeting.
The proposal for the new meeting was made first in March of 1869 and it was born of the feeling of boredom
of those in the town and out on the farms for something to occupy them at Easter when they had their small
break.
But it was not until November 1877 that a young Scotsman, one Jack Taylor, called a preliminary meeting in
the basement of a shop, later Carter's Bootery, in Main Street.
That first meeting was a very select affair with only Jack Taylor, Tom Phillips" John Murphy, Michael
Jenkinson and Mark Williams present when it was proposed, moved and seconded that:- "It was resolved
that a Club be formed and named the Stawell Athletic Club, with the recommendation that an athletic
meeting be held annually on Easter Saturday."
It was as simple as all that the birth of this 100 year old athletic club in that small country town; 241
kilometres west of Melbourne.
Invitations were still open for the miners to join the new club it being emphasized that there was no wish to
be in opposition to their meeting and which was proved by holding the Stawell Athletic Club meeting at
Easter.
But the miners would not have anything to do with Jack Taylor and supporters.
The town was virtually in two camps with plenty of bitterness and active hostility by the miners who did all
they could to stop the new club.
But the townspeople were equally stubborn and on January 14, 1878, history was really made at Stawell
when 50 townspeople met in Reading's Provincial Hotel with Michael Jenkinson in the chair.
The splendid support from the townspeople came from the enterprise and far thinking of Jack Taylor and his
friends who did plenty of canvassing plus pressure talk to leading businessmen and farmers for their support
which they got in addition to financial support which was freely given.
The attendance of 50 easily outvoted all planned opposition from the miners who were expected to act
strongly against the new group. But they were out-maneuvered by Mr. Jenkinson who shrewdly had
arranged beforehand that the only business of the meeting would be the fixing of the annual membership fee
10/6, and appointing an honorary secretary pro tem.
The business completed Mr. Jenkinson declared the meeting adjourned for 10 days. Often down through the
years Stawell committeemen have probably wished for equally brief meetings when there have been
problems which have taken hours of talk, proposals and counter proposals well into the 'wee small' hours'
then out into the depths of a Stawell winter.
At the meeting ten days later Michael Jenkinson was again in the chair and others present were Messrs
Jack Taylor, Mark Williams, Fry, T. Phillips, Cody and Harris. The general committee to be elected at the
first general meeting, was deputed to draw up rules and regulations.
The Club was well on the way and came into being officially on January 31, 1878, when Mr. Thomas Young
Smith was elected first president of the Stawell Athletic Club because of his great interest in foot running,
and James Balfour Burton was made secretary.
Early in its history the Club was made known to governments for Mr. Burton was Stawell's representative in
the Victorian Legislative Assembly for many years and for a time, Minister for Mines.
The members of the newly born club early displayed the loyalty that has been outstanding in their 100 years
to those who work for it by electing Mr. Jenkinson who had chaired what could have been awkward first ever
meeting so astutely as vice president.
Then came the first general committee Messrs Peter Jamieson, John Taylor, J. Patrick, Cotter , Michael
Jenkinson, F. H. Oliver and John Murphy. Trustees were:- Messrs E. J. Tyree, T. Y. Smith with auditors
Messrs. W. Oliver and T. Phillips.
On that February 21st the first ever Stawell Committee decided that the prize money for the Gift Meeting on
Easter Saturday, 1878, would be £110 with the Stawell Gift being allotted £24 of which the winner's share
was £20. Compare that humble £24 with the £10,000 prize money for the 1977 Centenary Gift.
But the first ever Stawell Gift struck an early problem, where was the prize money coming from. The baby
club had almost no funds.
There was however no cause to worry for right from the outset Stawell Athletic Club "tucked in" and supplied
its own funds, at least the committee of only two days old did with its members guaranteeing the £110 for
prizes.
Also right from the outset Stawell Athletic Club became a club of workers and no rubber stamps for wisely
the General Committee sat down and selected a Sports Committee to run the sports meeting.
And herein is the secret of the success of Stawell Athletic Club for from 1878 it has virtually had its own
school of instruction for sports officials on and off the arena, for the staging of the Stawell Gift.
For 100 years the SAC has always had its meeting controlled by officials with each having a special job
which he knew months before that it would be his the following Easter -for some it was the same task for
years.
Now we know why a Stawell Gift meeting is run with the same precision and timing of the Olympic Games,
which are ranked as the most efficiently staged sports meeting in the world.
Stawell Athletic Club is thus a model for all other similar clubs to copy those men of Stawell who each year
put on their now three days meeting.
The first Sports Committee comprised the following: President, Mr. T. Y. Smith; Vice-President, Mr. M. S.
Jenkinson; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. W. Fay; Committee, Messrs W. Waters. J. Taylor , A. Cole. J. Murphy, P.
Jamieson, Mark Williams and T. Phillips; Joint Handicappers, Messrs John Murphy and Mark Williams;
Starter, John Murphy; Assistant Starter, Mark Williams.
The programme for the first Stawell Gift, held on the Botanical Reserve was:- Easter Gift, of £24. 130 yards.
First Prize. £20; Second. £3; Third. £1. Entrance Fee, 5/-. Acceptance,3/-.
Members' Race, of £15. 130 yards.
Publicans' Purse, of £10.220 yards.
Stawell Handicap, of £13.600 yards.
Grand Handicap Hurdle Race, of £20. 600 yards.
Handicap Walking Race, of £9. 3 miles.
Handicap Boys' Race, of £1/15/-. 150 yards.
Old Men's Race. Prizes to be declared on the ground.
Conso1ation Race, of £3/10/-. 130 yards.
Sack Hurdle Race, of £2/10/-. 150 yards.
Vaulting with the Pole, of £6.
Running High Jump, of £3.
The prizes for the Old Men's Race were sub- sequently fixed -First, a Pig; Second, a Pig; Third, a Sheep.
Entrants had to send in three years' performances, and the programme set out that Ballarat Athletic League
Rules would be strictly adhered to.
The entries received were:Easter Gift
50
Publicans Purse
36
Members Handicap
16
Stawell Handicap
19
Grand Handicap Hurdles
18
Walking Race
15
With post entries, the total was carried to over 200.
Although the Stawell Athletic Club had a stormy birth with bitterness in the town with the miners who were
hostile because they considered their meeting was being slighted.
But due to goodwill right from that very first year, sanity, tact, understanding and most important of all belief
in an ideal from a determination of purpose carried those early enthusiasts through the storm.
And it is the only storm Stawell Athletic Club has had in its first 100 years -at least as far as is known by
those outside of the committee room and the town of Stawell.
Here again this Club is an object lesson to all sports clubs in that they never wash their dirty linen in public
always presenting a united and solid front to the world.
Stawell has always had a reputation for splendid tracks and an arena the equal of any in the world for the
staging of a sports meeting.
This all goes back to the very first meeting in 1878 for even then those pioneers of Stawell were determined
that nothing but the best was good enough for their meeting especially the athletes who were the ones who
were putting on the show.
Then, as now, there was no shortage of voluntary labor to set the stage for a Stawell Gift Meeting for we
know that tremendous interest was taken by all in the town preparing for their first meeting.
Setting was at the old Botanical Reserve and hours of preparation were spent on the tracks by the
volunteers headed by committee members.
Stawell's very first sprint tracks proved very fast with circular and Gift tracks having a sandy gravel surface.
The 220 yards was raced over a straight track.
But that first Stawell Gift on Easter Saturday 1878 was not without its controversy just as there have been
many down through the 100 years for that 1878 Gift was almost a dead-heat.
Winner was W. J. Millard from Condah (Vic.) off three yards and he just got home by the barest of margins inches from W. Mitchell (Dunkeld 9) with J. Shaw (Geelong 7) third, the time for the 130 yards was 12 3/4
seconds.
The judges Messrs W. Waters, Thomas Brophy, A. Cole and T. Phillips were not unanimous in their verdict
and it looked as though they were going to declare a dead heat but finally the decision was for Millard.
Mitchell, who won the second heat, at one stage looked as if he would be a nonstarter because there was a
difference of opinion as to whether he should be allowed to run.
Apparently his acceptance form had been mislaid by the Secretary but the Committee decided that Mitchell
was entitled to run as he had accepted.
A crowd of 2000 was a very heartening reward for those enthusiastic Pioneers of Stawell especially their
Committee for their debut in Australian sports meetings and from that meeting the Club has never looked
back.
Athletics was not the only relaxation for Stawell that Easter of 1878 for the town went all carnival with
sideshows, merry-go-rounds and what could be an old time form of Bingo.
Advertising 100 year ago was one man power by word of mouth and provided by one Mr. Worthington, who
paraded the streets of Stawell shouting all about the "Monster Sports Meeting at the Botanical Reserve" and
emphasising his words by the lusty ringing of a bell.
Spurred on by their wonderful debut the Stawell Athletic Club had a most enthusiastic second annual
meeting on November 16, 1878, when Mr. T. Y. Smith was again elected President with Mr. Thomas Brophy
Vice-President.
Secretary was Mr. Mark Williams with a honorarium of £10 but a week later Mr. John Burton was back in the
job with an extra £5.
It is not known just what happened as the official list of Stawell secretaries does not record Mr. Williams but
Mr. Burton from 1878-1881.
Other members added to the Committee were Messrs T. Phillips, J. B. Burton, C. Tassicker , Earle, Clough,
T. Murphy, with Mr. W. Waters Honorary Treasurer.
The Club officials quickly realised from their post mortem of their first attempt at running a sports meeting
that a larger sports committee was necessary so it was increased by five to twelve.
Prize money was increased to £152 with the Stawell Gift receiving £50. Despite the success of their first
meeting the Club Committee were not carried away by going overboard with a big increase in prize money limiting it to £42 above the original £110.
The first motion for the increase was for a total of £163.
This was a wise decision and it has been the policy of every Committee from 1877 to 1977 proving that the
Club has always lived within its means and never attempting to break the bank with 'out of this world' totals
of prize money.
This is in contrast to other athletic clubs who have folded over the years because of aiming too high too
soon with prize money to outdo the rest, and attract the athletes to their meetings.
Stawell have always set a standard for themselves only once reducing their prize money always increasing it
when they could afford to do so.
Even in their wettest years 1913 and 1932 when attendances were down because of continuous rain Stawell
still carried on, balanced their accounts and were all ready for the next year.
There has never been any skimping by paying only what the club could afford. Even if takings for a meeting
were down. There have never been any excuses or reduction of prize money for the next meeting.
Stawell have never been greedy because even if in their good years when there was still a surplus after
meeting all expenses and increasing the balance something was taken out and given to local charities.
Stawell of course had its critics and those prophets of doom, when the first meeting was mooted, and they
were amazed at the success of the meeting due to the small committee who worked so hard before and
during the staging.
Those critics had not allowed for the team spirit that has always existed in Stawell right from its first pioneer
settlers.
It was that spirit which fostered the team work that has always dominated in Stawell Athletic Club, making it
one of the strongest athletic clubs in the world.
And of course born from that first meeting in 1878 was SAC's motto so powerful and telling despite its
simplicity and economy of words –
'EVER FOREMOST.'
The second meeting was switched to the Show grounds because the Committee considered the site would
create more interest in the town.
Let the official records of the Club tell the story of the second meeting -the 1879 Stawell Gift:"At the second sports gathering (1879), which was held at the Show Grounds, games of chance, variety
shows, merry-go-rounds, Richardson's shows, &c., were features. ..The chief attraction was undoubtedly the
racing, and the close finishes which characterised the different events showed that the handicappers
thoroughly understood their work.
"The starting was also excellent, there only being one case in which the start effected was otherwise than
good. In this Mr. J. Murphy was ably assisted by Mr. Mark Williams. ...The President. in declaring the sports
open, said: 'The Club gives £150 in prizes and in doing so brings for your entertainment competitors from
every part of Victoria and even New South Wales for friendly rivalry.
"And let us hope that the endeavours of the committee and handicappers to have a close and exciting
contest for each of the different events, and so arrange matters that the best man, come from where he
may, will win, has been gained. It was estimated that 2,000 people were present. As regards the ground
itself, it was excellent, though perhaps a trifle rough for pedestrians. That is a fault which can be remedied
when next year's sports come off. The situation was all that could be desired."
It did not take long for Stawell's first dead heat to be recorded - at only the second final 1879 E. S. Grose
(6Y2) and T. Ray (9) with C. Connor (10) third. Grose and Ray agreed to run off for first place at a
subsequent period. In the re-run Grose was off with the gun and Ray thinking he had no chance pulled up.
Grose trotted over the course and was placed first. Ray protested but it was held that Grose had "leapt away
as the starter was in the act of pulling the trigger", and not before, the protest was disallowed.
The second meeting was another story of success with over 2000 attending, receipts £227.10, expenses
£199.6 and a profit of £28.4. The Club was healthy with a credit balance of £96 quite a sizeable sum back in
1879 and very satisfactory in only the Club's second year.
For the third meeting in 1880 it was back to the Botanical Reserve and a bold venture in staging the first two
days Gift - Easter Saturday and Monday. The move was an instant success with 600 present for the first day
and a record 3000 on the second.
There were 14 heats for the various events on the Saturday and so Stawell, then, for all time, became a
meeting of at least two days. Prize money for 1880 was £220.
There was an election for president in 1880 with Mr. Smith again elected but only after an election in which
he just headed Mr. T. S. Cranston 10 votes to 9.
Mr. J. B. Burton was again Secretary with an honorarium of £15, with 13 financial members and f110 in the
bank earning interest at the rate of five per cent.
The 1881 meeting is notable that for the first time in the Club records official reference was made of
Bookmakers fielding during the meeting.
The win by J. Rogers (Avoca) off nine yards gave him £50 plus £200 in bets.
Between 1893 and 1897 the Stawell Athletic Club went through a severe test in which its very existence was
imperiled.
Having won the 1893 Stawell Gift oft 12V2 yards from w. Flanagan (Creswick, 12 yards) in II 1/2 sec., E. J.
Hough, the winner, became involved in litigation. He had won in easy style -in a "common canter" as they
say in turf parlance - and Flanagan entered a protest against the N .S. W . ped. for alleged incorrect
performances.
After a month's consideration the protest was dismissed, whereupon Flanagan threatened to take the matter
to the Civil Court. The money was duly paid over to Hough, but the subsequent litigation almost crippled the
Club.
The Club was in sorry straights in 1896, with a deficit of £70. Some creditors were unduly pressing the Club,
which was able to arrange with the London Bank for an overdraft.
Things looked ominous. The Club was being put to the "acid test", and no one was better able to handle the
position than Mr. "Tommy" Robertson, the then Acting President, who also occupied the chair for the 1927
Jubilee celebrations and will complete his "hat trick" for the Diamond Jubilee of 1937.
It was decided to hold a "Recovery meeting" on Queen's Birthday (25th May), with a view to cutting some of
the losses. Only small prizes , were awarded and the Club emerged with a profit of about £35.
By the time the half-yearly meeting was held in June the Club's liabilities were reduced to £26/11/5. The then
Secretary (the late Mr. w. Hastings Bell) promised to allow an amount of £16 owing to him to stand over.
It was wisely decided to deal with the Bank direct and thus have only one creditor. A suggestion that the
athletic club amalgamate with the bicycle club was rejected.
At a later meeting - presided over by Mr. R. B. Lewers and attended by Messrs Ormston, J. Crouch, W. C.
Matthews, F. Crouch and Dr. Napthine - these members agreed to attach their names to a "joint and
several" as a guarantee of payment, which subsequent members of the committee carried on.
In 1897 the Club was still having money troubles with a deficit of £62. A special meeting was held on Boxing
Day with a £50 program in an attempt to wipe out the deficit but instead it was increased to £71.
For the first time there was a falling off in interest by the townspeople.
The 1897 annual meeting was grim and members were asked point blank whether it was 'advisable to
continue future gatherings'. Fortunately the decision was "yes" but with rigid economy and for the only time
in the history of the Club prize money was cut - by 20 percent.
But Stawell Athletic Club in that year 1897 made the wisest decision it has yet made in its 100 years. A
decision then unknown as to its true value, but one which was to take the club from strength to strength.
It was the election to the Committee of a young man, comparatively unknown, Mr. Harry Henderson a
journalist and who was to serve the club for 50 years including three as president, and secretary 1922 until
1947, when he died on Dec- ember 5, 1947, at his desk still working for the Club.
A born organiser, a tireless worker and wholly dedicated to Stawell Athletic Club, Harry Henderson must be
given full marks for his work in those difficult days of the late 1890's followed by the difficult years of World
War I then the Depression of the 1930's and the Second World War.
Now the Club has his successor still in office Hank Neil who has continued with the same dedication through
equally difficult years and he has proved that once again that Stawell had the man for the task plus the
ability to organise and possessing the confidence of all those in and outside of the Club.
Stawell weathered those difficult early years mainly due to the loyal Club members of committee such as
Messrs J. Crouch, J. C. Matthews, J. Ormston, R. P. Lewers, F. Crouch, Dr. Napthine who willingly
guaranteed payment of debts of the SAC if required.
The loyalty of these men and the rest of the committees in those dark years was rewarded in 1893 when the
Easter meeting that year was an outstanding success.
It was largely due to the enterprise and courage of the 1898 Committee that Central Park became the
permanent venue for the Stawell Gift.
This resolution was made at a meeting only a few weeks before Easter on March 16th.
It's history now that this final change of venue completely changed the whole course of the Club for now the
Stawell Gift and Central Park are synonymous. It was the turning point for the Club with the renewed interest
by the people of Stawell because Central Park is their Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A good profit was made in 1898 because the Park was so much closer to the town.
Debts which had been persistant were wiped off and the Committee gave all credit to Tommy Robertson for
his role in the struggle to keep the Club afloat through its difficult years and recommended him for a Life
Membership.
But in true Stawell Athletic Club team spirit Tommy declined saying "none should be singled out as it had
been a team effort".
He continued on as a loyal and hardworking committeeman till 1938 retiring then after a term which had
seen him four times president. In 1924 he did relent and accept a Life Membership.
The true worth and character of this Club and all of its members was strikingly emphasised when things
became good again financially.
Then the first thoughts were for the needy of Stawel1 and the Club donated various sums to local charities in
addition to increasing prize money.
Truly a great Club and what an asset to Stawell and its people.
Despite those lean years SAC became international in that period when the first of what was to be a long
line of International athletes were invited to Stawell at the Easter meeting.
The first was the Irish champion Tom Malone, Amateur Champion of Ireland who competed at the 1884
meeting.
He won his heat from scratch in 12 1/10 a Victorian record, until broken by Tim Banner in 1926, and he was
reckoned a good thing for the Final.
And what a final it proved. One of the most sensational ever at Stawell. The starter made three attempts to
get the field away.
There were three 'breaks' all by one finalist - Tom Malone who was disqualified.
The crowd were hostile but Tom was out and winner was W. Smith (Melb. 7 1/2) who only got home by
inches from J. Robson (Ballarook 13) in 12 seconds.
The next International entry was from England in 1886, Billy Clarke off seven yards who won by inches from
B. J. Davies (Melb. 13) in 11.5 sec.
It was a wonderful effort by the Englishman who had a good double also taking the 120 yards Intercolonial
Handicap off four yards in 11.5.
Prize money for 1887 was £350 with the Gift winner James Brown (Balmoral 12) collecting £70 for first prize.
The next year the Gift prize was upped to £100 and won by Fitzroy's G. Bingham (10Yz) on his 24th birthday
from C. McLean (Kingston, S.A. 13).
An American E. S. Skinner won in 1899 off nine yards and the previous year he had won the rich Botany
Handicap.
The 1890 final was an unpleasant one as the crowd were unanimous that the Stawell runner J. Newton was
second to the winner J. Midson (11) but his number was not posted by the judges.
In an amazing scene for Stawell hundreds rushed the ground but the judges refused to reverse their
decision.
Newton, who had finished second, attended the settling up that night, when he claimed he should receive
some recompense for the judges mistake.
The President said they could not upset the decision of the judges but Mr. Jack Taylor said that Newton
should receive some cash. After further discussions the President said it was irregular and that was the end.
A collection was made on the spot and raised £6 which was given to Newton. Second prize was £20.
The 1900's opened impressively with two of the world's greatest sprinters Arthur Postle, 'the Crimson Flash'
and Jack Donaldson, 'the Blue Streak' racing at Stawell.
Postle competed at the 1901 Easter meeting in the Champion Stakes, a short limit handicap in which he
failed, giving away too many yards.
He was back the next year, a more matured runner finishing second in the 220 yards off 16 -same as J.
Watson the winner.
Donaldson made a sensational debut in 1906 finishing second in the Gift after breaking and going back a
yard from his 13 yards and even then failing by only inches to E. W. Thompson (10).
Both champions were back at Stawell in 1912 but neither was able to win the Stawell Gift although winning
world '-acclaim and fame for their performances in other countries.
Came 1914 and World War I which lasted until November 11,1918 and Stawell AC always thinking of
helping others donated a large part of their profits to patriotic funds.
The Club also introduced a special race for Returned Soldiers and the father of today's President, Alistair
Cox, Mr. George Cox, won that event over 100 yards.
An unfortunate incident occurred in the 1918 Gift, when A. Roach (Melbourne, 14 yards) won by inches from
W; J. Dennison (9\14), B. S. Burling (10) and A. J. Pearce (141/2), in 123/5 sec. Following a protest by
Dennison against the winner, the Stawell Protest Committee dismissed it. On the casting vote of the
Chairman of the Victorian Athletic League, Dennison's appeal was upheld.
Dennison threatened the Club with Supreme Court action, while Roach would have welcomed a decision by
the Court.
Because of the heavy costs Roach withdrew his claim, and in Dennison's case the Club, by consent,
obtained a verdict with costs.
The legal claims having been set aside, the Pro- test Committee of the Stawell Club decided to inquire into
the claims of Burling and Dennison. After a most searching inquiry, the Committee decided to disqualify both
runners.
The placed men having been disqualified, the Stawell Club decided to re-run the race the following year as
the Peace Handicap open to all runners not disqualified and who started in the 1918 Gift. The winner was A.
Fooks, of South Australia.
There was another stir in 1920 when A.G. Cashmore (Balliang 7) won from "A. Peterson" who later proved
to be Jack Lindsay, the ex-amateur champion of N.Z., 51/2 yards.
Cashmore was born in Stawell West and served in the A.I.F. He had the distinction of being the first native
of Stawell to win the big Gift.
It was a daring case of "ringing-in" but the Stawell Club had made a most searching inquiry and was armed
with most definite proofs.
Lindsay had already won the Sprint Championship of the British Army and a few months previous to Stawell
was second to W.W. Hunt in the 100 yards Australian Amateur Championship.
Prior to Stawell he had run at Maribyrnong as a "pro" under the name of "Peterson". Experts declare that
Lindsay was the greatest judge of pace and distance that they had ever seen and but for being unofficially
detected before the final of the Gift declared that he could have won it easily.
It was Diamond Jubilee year in 1937, in the middle of the great Depression, but still a record crowd flocked
to Stawell and Central Park.
Over £1500 was allotted for prize money with £810 for the Gift won by F.A. Bradley (N.S.W.) off 10 yards.
He collected £500 for his effort.
The Committee appointed to organise and conduct the Diamond Jubilee Gift was an amazing one for it
included seven members who, between them, aggregated 253 years of service to the Club also a 36 years
average for each.
That was in the first sixty years and few, if any, sporting clubs in the world can boast such a wonderful
record of service.
The seven with their year of joining the Committee and length of service in parenthesis were –
A. Boston (1891-45), G.T. Robertson (1893-43), W.H. Carter (1899-37), D.W. Mitchell (1905-31), W.
Cranstori (1905-31). M. J. Cowman (1909- 27), H. Henderson, Secretary (1897-39).
The Golden Jubilee Gift Committee was:President: Mr. G.T. Robertson.
Ex-President: Mr. M.J. Cowman.
Vice-Presidents: Messrs. Geo. Cox and C. Bates.
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J. G. Macdonald.
Secretary: Mr. H. Henderson.
Committee: Messrs. A.D. Boston, W.H. Carter , D. Mitchell, W.S. Cranston, C. Brown, D.W. Mitchell, H.
Johnson, G.W C. Venables, D. Wright, A. Dalziel, N. Brown.
Members of Auxiliary: Messrs. R. Chapman, R. N. Wadsworth, A. Willoughby, J.H. Webb.
Judges: Messrs. G.W.C. Venables, H. Johnson.
Handicappers: V.A.L. Board of Handicappers.
Starter: Mr. Geo. Cox.
Supervisor of Starting: Mr. Don Stiff.
Assistant Starter: Mr. C. Brown.
Timekeeper: Mr. R.N. Wadsworth.
In the first 60 years the SAC donated £4,994 to charities as follows:- Stawell Hospital £1,955, Borough
Council £900, Patriotic War Funds £863, Stawell Miners' Fund £565.
It's interesting to note the donation to the Miner's Fund when it is recalled the hostile opposition from the
miners of the 1870's when the Pioneers of the Club were founding it. 'Time was indeed the healer' of the
early bitterness.
Prize money for the Jubilee Gift Meeting was £1500 with£810 for the Gift.
Trophies for the Gift winner were a gold medal donated by Mr. W. Earle of the Albion Hotel, Stawell, and an
inscribed sash presented by the Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. called "The Sporting Globe" Sash. These
two trophies were perpetual and are still handed to the Gift winner.
The Gift winner was F.A. Bradley of Coolamon, N.S. W ., off 10 yards from P.R. Rodgers (Wingham,
N.S.W., 10Yl), A.W. Patton (Fig Tree, N.S.W., 9), S.G. Charles (Cummera Mission, N.S.W., 9Y2) and J.A.
Kelly (Euroa, Vic., 10).
It was triumph for New South Wales almost scooping the pool in filling the first four places.
Rodgers got away well and looked the winner at 100 yards having lead from the gun. But Bradley with a
tremendous burst headed him almost on the line to win by a foot.
Rodgers was only inches up on Patton with Charles a yard away fourth and Kelly just failing to miss last
place by inches. Time was 12 seconds dead.
The 1939 Easter Gift meeting was staged in the shadow of war because five months later the world was at
war and there was not to be peace until 1945.
It was the last Gift to be decided in peace for five years.
Winner was Len Sprague, one of the greats in athletics and one of the most popular athletes ever to step on
to the Central Park arena.
In the 1939 final Len, on 9 1/2 yards, trailed his co-marker Dunn who got away beautifully, at the gun, and
did not catch him till the 70 yards mark. Dunn was leader having passed Jack Kelly, St. Kilda footballer, off
10 yards.
At 100 yards it was allover with Sprague running strongly a comfortable three-quarters of a yard up on Dunn
who was making desperate efforts but he could not pull back the flying Sprague who went in to win by one
yard from Dunn in 11.14/16.
Many thought Len had slipped at the start when he was slow away but there was no slip for Len was running
his normal race.
Len had his reasons which he explained, "too many runners are too fast off the mark. They lose balance and
take 30 yards or so to get properly into their stride. All the time they're using up valuable energy so vital in
the final dash to the line.
"I take about 30 yards to get into my stride but it is a gradual process and from then on I am running into top
speed for my final burst."
Few were aware that Len despite his speed, ran under difficulties. He suffered from fallen arches and at
times in a race his feet would go on him.
Three weeks before the 1939 Stawell Gift Len looked a doubtful starter breaking down in the Heidelberg
Gift. He ran at Stawell with both feet bandaged.
Len however was a modest winner and a good loser for he never made any excuses. In addition to winning
the 1939 Gift Len also took the Sprint Handicap (75 yards) off 5 yards in a smart 7 7/16.
Len had his third win at Stawell, The Stewards' Purse, over 220 yards at the 1941 Easter Gift meeting.
Time was 21 1/10 a world's professional record. It was a magnificent effort because he was on scratch and
he won by two feet from P.C. Fry (16) by a margin of two feet.
The Gift went to Devonport (Tas.) runner W.K, Hutton (7 ½).
After Len's 1941 win the crowd left Central Park talking of his wonderful win but little Knowing that they had
seen their last Stawell Gift meeting for five years.
The Club carried out its usual preparations for the 1942 Easter meeting, drawing up the program and
accepting entries. All was set to go but the meeting was never held.
On March 6 secretary Harry Henderson issued the following statement after the Committee meeting. "It is
with understandable regret that the Stawell Gift is off for the duration of the war.
"The Committee discussed carrying on from every angle but the cutting out of the Easter Monday holiday by
the Commonwealth Government made it impossible to stage the meeting.
"We had received 100 entries for the Gift, mainly from servicemen and munition workers who were
automatically ruled out.
"We have not abandoned the Stawell Gift. We will go into action at a moment's notice for all of our
machinery will continue to function. We hope there will be a 1943 Gift - the 'Victory Gift'."
It was the first break in the world's greatest and richest footrace since its inception in 1878.
The break was serious for the Club because it had already incurred expenses exceeding £300 for the 1942
meeting.
It was not known when the war would end - in fact what would be the result? Thus the Club went into recess
when once again was proved the inner strength of this great club.
Stawell Committee continued to meet as usual although there was no Stawell Gift. Expenses however
continued with a loss of £400 for those four years. What was most serious however was the drain on club
assets which were also reduced.
In it, enforced recess the committee however kept athletic, active for Stawell by helping the youth to have
their own mini-Stawell Gift by staging a 'Pug Gift' for local under 20's.
All profit, of the mini Stawell went to war funds. The Stawell Athletic Club officials assisted in running the
event, and loaning their equipment for the sports. There was some good racing and Jack Neal (Stawell High
School) won the 'Pug Gift' of 75 yards and the 440 yards.
The years 1942, 1943, 1944 passed with still no Stawell Gift but at last there seemed to be a bend in the
long lane when in October 1945 Stawell Athletic Club were told they could function again. Immediately the
committee met and decided there would be a 1946 Gift worth £500 with £320 for the winner.
This very strong club had survived its enforced recess and was coming back stronger than ever.
First entry received by Secretary Harry Henderson was from Bougainville, from Arthur Martin, who was
serving out of Australia. Entries did not close until March 13.
Arthur did not get past his heat in 1946 but he won the Gift next year.
Stawell’s comeback had peds and followers agog and with an entry of 182 for the Victory Stawell Gift 33
more than the field for the last Gift in 1941 Stawell had comeback stronger than ever.
As far back as October 1945 accommodation in Stawell and district was at a premium.
The hallowed Gift track was in perfect condition because during the Club’s recess the track and those for the
other events had been nursed and kept in trim for the great day when Stawell would be on again.
Total entries for the meeting were 200 up on 1941 and the second highest on record.
Entries, came from all over Australia Harry Henderson said the entries exceeded his greatest expectations
and he was very busy dealing with the financial side which then cost £3000 to run in which £1000 prize
money was included.
Once again a Stawell Committee was mindful of their supporters and the 'floaters' for despite the fact that
entertainment tax was trebled and there had been no receipts for five years cost of admission at 2/6 was
only sixpence higher than for the 1941 meeting.
The entries were interesting because only 27 of those entered for the Gift ran in the 1941 Gift indicating that
a new generation of athletes were being born.
Father Time was exacting his toll while a number had died on service in the War and one was Ken Hutton,
1941 Gift winner who was killed serving with the RAAF.
Winner of the 1939 Gift - the last to be run in Peace - Len Sprague was an entrant. Once again he was on
scratch but he would need a superhuman effort to be the first athlete to win two Stawell Gifts.
The most spectacular entries were two full blooded aborigines Edwin Pareroultja and Eli Rubuntja from
Hermannsburg Mission 80 miles out of Alice Springs.
The handicappers were Wally Beckwith and Joe Bull, secretary of the VAL, and they did not surprise by
placing Len Sprague on scratch.
The handicappers adopted the then new principle of putting the back marker on zero which meant that it
brought every runner back. Some who had been receiving nine yards were shocked to find they were on six
for 1946.
It was hoped by keen Judges that the new system would give the backmarkers a better chance.
The 1946 Gift came and went. It was a record breaking meeting. Attendance was reported at 15,000 and
gate takings were a record £2572.
All roads led to Stawell with the crowds flocking in by special trains, buses, cars, motor bikes and even
horse-drawn vehicles. The whole of Stawell was akin to a vast car park.
Stawell was crowded with all hotels, guest houses and private dwellings packed out – there were no motels
in those days.
The camping area at Stawell West had, what was then a record crowd while caravans just coming into
vogue were seen parked round the town.
Stawell had only four bookmakers operating at the ground for 1976 but in 1946 the betting area under the
trees was really busy with 40 bookmakers and all had all the business they could handle.
V.T. (Tommy) Deane was the logical choice for the 1946 Victory Stawell Gift three days before the heats
because he was the only entrant with a performance -for on his Stawell mark of seven yards he had won the
1946 Benal1a Gift.
As Benalla was a non-penalty gift Tommy did not have his seven yards mark cut for Stawell. Actually he was
an unknown runner because prior to Benalla his only run had been at the old Maribyrnong track when he
showed pace in a half-mile.
It was at Manbyrnong that his Stawell trainer C.G. “Goldle" Heath winner of the 1933 Gift first saw him, a
farmer from Wahring, in action and he was so impressed that he suggested that he enter for Stawell and he
would train him.
Tommy was in the news right on the eve of the Gift when Goldie and his father backed him for £3000.
With only 27 in the Gift who had run at Stawell before 1946 it was almost an unknown field.
The three favorites Tommy Deane (7), Jim Baird (6 1/2) and Les Streete (6 3/4) each won his heat when
they shared fastest time 12 5/16.
When Deane arrived at Central Park for his heat he had a bodyguard of 15 Wahring farmers and the
average weight of his escort was 14 stone.
'Goldie' Heath took this precaution because he had memories of 1933 when there was an attempt to kick
him in the shins as he entered the ground before his Gift win.
Tommy's final run was amazing, improving almost five yards on his heat time to run 4 1/4 yards in to win
from Eric Cumming (6 3/4) with Jim Baird (6 1/2) third. Time was II 14/16.
Race was a thriller. Deane was first out of the holes. Cumming was with him at 50 yards with Baird, Russ
Mclnnes and Vin Browne right on their heels.
Cumming led at the 100 and in an instant there was a yard between he and Deane who then turned on his
Benalla form to fly over the closing stages and win by one yard with Baird two yards away third.
Len Sprague did not reach the Gift final but he put up a brilliant performance in the 220 yards, off scratch, to
run eight yards inside even time clocking 21 2/10 winning by 1 1/2 yards from Ray Patmore (5 1/2).
Len was out to break his own world record of 21 1/lO made in 1939.
Eric Cumming proved the find of this new StawelI Gift era. The nusky farmer from Alexandra ran brilliantly
for a novice as it was only a few weeks since he had taken running seriously.
Stawell Athletic Club was right back in Australian professional athletics for the staging of the 1946 meeting
was as though they had had no break in their sequence of Easter meetings.
The stage was now set for the 1947 Gift which was to prove the most sensational since the second gift in
1879, with the first dead heat in a final and it was not until 1947 that there was the second dead heat.
The final was a thriller with Arthur Martin (4 1/4) and D.J. Gardner (8) flashing over the line together. The
judges could not separate them and declared a dead heat.
Martin and Gardner could not agree on how to decide the dead heat -one suggestion was to toss up - then
the stewards came into the picture and ordered the run-off.
The run-off decided after the last event on the program was another terrific effort by the two dead heaters.
Martin won on the tape by six inches in 11 14/16.
In first race Frank Banner (4 3/4 ) was third, 0.S. Burton (9 3/4) fourth and Les Streete {4 1/2) fifth.
Stawell had another wonderful carnival in 1947. But it was to end on a sad note for on December 5 Harry
Henderson died at his desk working for the Club right up to the last second of his life.
A great Secretary who was one of Stawell Athletic Club's most devoted and loyal members had passed after
giving the club untiring service as President 1901, 1911, 1921. Secretary 1922-1947 and Member of
Committee 1897-1922.
The 1948 Gift made athletic history for Australia with the introduction of the Camera Finish for the first time
in Australian athletics. It was quickly in action in the final of the Gift.
The Gift was an easy win for Tom Brudenall after a paralysing burst when he headed E. Marantelli (9)
followed by P.A. McKeown (7 3/4 ), W. Ross (7 3/4) and E. Ryan (8 3/4). There was no doubts.
The judges had no difficulty in declaring Brudenall winner from Marantelli but a blanket would have covered
the rest so the camera was called on to decide second and third placings.
But after studying the photo the judges decided the photo was not satisfactory because it did not cover the
chests of the runners due to odd angles of the runners at the finish.
Dr. John Stoney one of the greatest sprinters yet in Australia who gave athletics away early to concentrate
on his studies and his chosen profession, after winning the 1949 Bendigo 1000 was expected to take the
Stawell Gift that year.
But John just failed in the final which is considered one of the greatest finishes yet at Central Park. J.E.
Cann (8 1/4 ) was winner from P. Judd (7 1/2) with Stoney (virtual scratch 2).
Stoney was only six inches away from winning while he was only nine inches up on L. Gliddon (8 1/2), with
E. Paez (7) only two inches away fifth.
The Draper Electric Finish Machine was used for the first time which records the placings gave those
placings and the margins.
It was reckoned that Stoney off 2 yards covered the distance 9 yards inside even time, Secretary of the VAL
Mr. Joe Bull said Stoney's effort was the greatest run ever put up at a country gift meeting.
For the first time in 40 years a Governor of Victoria was present at the 1950 Gift meeting, Sir Dallas and
Lady Brooks and their daughter Miss Jeanette Brooks. The previous Vice-Regal visit was that of Sir Gibson
Carmichael in 1910.
Sir Dallas was made a Life Member of the Club. He was the first non-member to be so honored.
United States athlete and former Olympian Barnie Ewell, also Albert Grant, champion of Great Britain,
competed at the meeting.
Neither made the final of the Gift but Ewell won the Invitation 220 yards off scratch from I Frank Banner (4
1/2) with Arthur Martin (Vic.)(6) third and Grant (5 1/2) fourth. Time 20 8/10 a professional world record.
In the Invitation 130 yards Grant (3 1/2) won from Arthur Martin (3 3/4) followed by P. Judd (S.A., 6 1/2) and
Ewell (scr.).
Ewell twice broke the world's 220 yards professional record that Easter.
The second race was put on by the Committee on Saturday night because Ewell was most anxious to break
his own record, which he did clocking 20.7.
Takings for all three sessions were records with the aggregate for 1950 £3291.
New ramping and seating were used for the first time.
The Draper Electric Finishing Machine was again used for all straight track events.
The 1952 Stawell Gift caused a furore from public, press and radio. Gerald Hutchinson the Brighton athlete
off eight yards was winner from J.F. Pattison (9), G.L. Kent (8 3/4) followed by F.E. Poke (7 3/4) and C.M.
Calloway (10 1/4). Time was 11 13/16.
It was almost a straight line finish final with the five runners all appearing to go through the finishing gate
together.
Hundreds of the spectators became 'instant judges' as they decided who had won but the judges at the line
were the only ones in position to give a decision; which they did - Hutchinson by inches.
The judges consulted the Draper Machine but held to their decision.
What many of the 'instant judges' overlooked was that in such a tight finish a runner with his arms out in
front of him can break the tape with his hand with his torso still not at the line. This is not accepted by the
VAL who's ruling says 'the runner must breast the finishing line... any competitor touching the line (tape) with
forearm - elbow to fingers - before breasting it may be disqualified.
Distance runners were prominent at the 1952-53-54 meetings in 1950 an Invitation Backmarkers Mile was
introduced and won by Des Howe (Tocumwal, N.S.W.) on 60 yards in 4.17. The late John Barmby (25) won
in 1953 clocking 4 16 2/5 and S. Gregory (25) 1954,4.15.4.
The late David McCallum had a good winning double taking 440 and 600 yards in 1953.
The tragic early deaths of he and John Barmby were not only grievous losses to their families but also to
Australian athletics because both were true sportsmen and gentlemen in every sense of those two words.
The Club honored three of the 'greats' in 1957 when three races on the program were renamed in memory
of Arthur Postle, Jack Donaldson and Bill McManus.
The Arthur Postle 75 yards was won by Graham Knight (Fitzroy). The Jack Donaldson 220 yards by N.J.
Rowe (Ormond) and the Bill McManus 440 yards by Norm McLeod (Clayton).
Each race is a handicap event.
Peter Sheales (Carnegie) won his first Backmarkers Invitation Mile while Stawell gained a new and
enthusiastic follower in John Carr (Bacchus Marsh) who was the Gift winner off 10 1/2 yards.
From 1957 John became a regular each year at Stawell for Easter as a trainer and ABC commentator.
Ferg Speakman sprang the surprise of 1958 when his runner, Mal Durant (Ascot Val), took the Gift to give
Ferg his second Gift winner while Lindsay Kent (Stawell) posted his first win in a final taking the Donaldson
220.
Ferg had his third winner when John Bell (Moonee Ponds) won the 1963 Gift from the limit mark.
John McCracken was to become one of Australia's great milers won his first Invitation Herb Hedemann Mile
while Bob Bergmeier had his second successive win in the Grampians two miles.
Bill McCann the runner from Dimboola and coached by former Stawell sportsman Horrie Hunt won the 1960
Gift while Max Evans who has since become a leading trotting driver in South Australia took the first Postle
75 yards.
School teacher Harry Downes, who had won the Novice Mile in 1959. started his distance saga winning the
Federation Mile 3.59.8 from 95 yards. It was the first time that the mile, at Stawell was won under four
minutes.
The 1965 Gift provided shocks and it could be termed the 'Novices' Gift' with Brian Alexander (9). Alan
McKenzie (Essendon, 11 1/2) and Bruce Cox (Brighton, 10 1/2) all mystery runners and toppling the
favorites in their heats and Cox was the eventual winner.
Happiest man at Stawell in 1970 was veteran trainer ‘Butch’ Roberts who had been for years trying to get a
Stawell Gift winner after running third himself in 1935 and preparing runners for 30 years. He won with Barry
Foley who was to repeat his win in 1972.
For the first time a Sportsman's Mile was contested for runners 35 and over. There were so many entries
that the race had to be divided. Winners were Kelvin Pell and Doug Finnis (S.A.).
The Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan and Lady Delacombe paid their second official visit to a Stawell Gift
meeting when they attended in 1971. the first was in 1964.
It was a sincere gesture by the Vice-Regal couple because it was actually their good-bye to Stawell and
professional athletes for shortly after Sir Rohan retired as Governor and returned to England.
High School teacher Treva McGregor (7 1/4 ) made up for just missing the 1970 gift by inches when he won
the 1971 race in 11.7 from Robin Baker (Essendon, 10 1/2) and Graeme McQualter (Pakenham. II 1/4 ).
Treva on his own was virtual scratch in the final on 7 1/4 yards. Nearest to him was David Williamson
(Geelong, 9 1/4) who finished fifth.
The race was over when Treva caught Bernie Grealy (10 1/4) for he literally mowed down the field to win by
four feet.
It was a patient triumph for another veteran coach, Jim Spain who also had his first Stawell Gift winner. More
about Jim in a separate chapter.
Danger to Treva was Kelvin Peart (10 1/4) but he tipped out Kelvin in the semi-final clocking 11.7.
Two former Powderhall Gift winners won their heats - George McNeil (1) and David Deas (6) both Scotsmen
but failed in their semis.
McGregor also won the Arthur Postle 75 yards.
The 1973 Gift Meeting marked the end of another chapter in the continuing story of the Stawell Athletic Club
for its Easter Gift. The traditional 130 yards Stawell Gift became no more.
Stawell went metric and in the place of the 130 yard Gift was a 120 metres Gift.
Stawell switched over to metric for all distances.
It was a little sad to see an old friend the 130 yard Gift go after 95 years. To plaguerise from 'My Fair Lady'
"I've grown accustomed to your face". Stawell followers and runners could say, "We've grown accustomed to
your distance, 130 yards".
Stawell's followers were a little sad at the change because something which had become a tradition to them
had gone as have so many other things which had become part of all of us in our' Australian Way of Life'.
The 'expert' and politicians always have a stock answer "It's progress" to which countless thousands of
Australians shake their heads and ponder "I wonder"?
Bernie Moss was Stawell's first metric Gift winner with 12.1 secs. for the 120 metres. He was outright
favorite before, and right through the meeting. Running off 10 3/4 metres he romped home in the heat in
11.6.
It was only his second win in 10 years of running - first win was the 440 yards at Ferntree Gully the previous
year.
Moss beat Hal Thomas (Adelaide 10 1/4) by one centimetre and then came Kelvin Peart (St. Kilda, 8 1/4 ),
Peter Boase (Pascoe Vale, 10) and Les Ralph (Ararat, 8).
It was an 'oldies' final with Thomas 39 (20 years of running behind him), Peart 29, Moss 28, Ralph 27 with
Boase the baby 23.
Tas Sherriff was Bernie's trainer and he had his charge in splendid condition.
Treva McGregor (Australia), Robbie Hutchison (Great Britain), and George McNeill (Scotland) met in the
World Sprint Championship over 60, 100, 120 and 200 metres and McGregor won taking all four events in
addition to the Past Winners' Gift Handicap.
The veteran trainer Jim Spain struck again - for the second time in two years when his pupil Peter Durham
(Ripponlea, 7 1/4) took the 1974 Gift.
The 1975 Gift will be a permanent memory for the thousands who attended the three days at Central Park
when they witnessed what every Gift runner had been trying to do since the first Gift in 1878, win from
Scratch.
And after 97 years it was achieved in 1975 by Jean-Louis Ravelomannantsoa (Madagascar) who won in a
shattering 12 seconds dead and estimated to have run 11 1/2 yards inside even time also creating a track
record.
The weather was the worst ever for a Stawell Gift meeting - rain, gales and almost snow in the air.
In a desperate throw at the tape for third place Murray McGregor (Avondale Heights) crashed and broke a
collarbone, but it was over the line and he gained third place.
The 1975 Gift was sponsored - the first time in the history of the Club - by General Motors-Holden's Limited,
who repeated their sponsorship for the 1976 and 1977 Gifts.
Carlton United Breweries again sponsored the 1975 World Sprint Championship with Warren Edmonson
(U.S.A.) taking his second world title in successive years.
One of the most popular wins for years was recorded by Kelvin Peart who took his first final after years of
placings. He won the Bill McManus 400 metres.
Stawell athlete Lindsay Kent in his 2Oth consecutive year of competing at the Easter meeting took the
Sportsman's Handicap over 100 metres.
The 99th year of Stawell Athletic Club came up in 1976 and the century finished in glory for trainer Jim Spain
who turned out his third Gift winner in five years, Alan Pollock (Heidelberg) who dashed through his heat,
semi and final off 8.50 metres to win in 12.1. It was a splendid follow-up to Murray McGregor's third the
previous year.
Geoff Willcox proved he was still improving as a distance runner winning the Herb Hedemann Mile and
Norm McLeod a veteran at Easter meetings in his 25th run at Stawell got home in the Sportsman's Sprint
100 metres.
In the 100 years of the Club every State has provided at least one winner of the Stawell Gift.
Western Australia's lone winner at the turn of the Century, 1900, D.M. Strickland, could claim to have started
a winning family tradition which was to be repeated 52 years later at Helsinki's Olympic Games.
Then his daughter Shirley won the Gold Medal for the Womens' 80 metres hurdles in an Olympic Record
10.9. Shirley collected two more 'Golds' in 1956 at Melbourne's Games, the hurdles again, breaking her own
record with 10.7 and as a member of the Australian girls' winning (4 x 100) relay squad.
The family tradition was a 'great' one combining two wins at the greatest athletic fixture in the world, the
Olympic Games, the other in the greatest professional footrace in the world, the Stawell Gift.
The other State winners are:New South Wales: E. Hough, C. Hearn, T. Roberts, F. Bradley, J. Cann, L. Mann. South Australia: R.
Nesbitt, N. Clarke, H. Dew, C. McKenzie, F. Ralph, M. Bishop, A. Reid.
Tasmania: H. Rigby, W.K. Hutton.
Queensland: T. Dancey, T. Miles, K. Trewick.
So we come to the end of the story of Stawell Athletic Club's First 100 Years with 'Laps of Honor' for all the
Athletes - winners and losers - Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Committeemen, Secretaries, Treasurers, all
Arena Officials right down to the Color Boys.
And to the thousands of supporters who travel up to Stawell every Easter there must also be a sincere thank
you, for without the followers there would be no Stawell Gift.
So all of Stawell's loyal family go in an almost endless procession across Central Park Arena to end the
Century. It's safe to assume that hundreds of them will carry on well into the second 100 years.
And at the start of the Third Century in 2077 the Stawell Athletic Club and the Stawell Gift will still be great
and 'EVER FOREMOST'.
Stawell's greatness and its strength over the 100 years is due to the intense teamwork always, whether in
success or difficulties, and those lines of Rudyard Kippling apply –
"So in all time of our distress,
And in all our triumph, too,
The game is more than the player of the game,
And the ship is more than the crew. .,
Taken from “1877-1977 Official History”