The twenty third year in the venue’s relatively short history was a year of consolidation and useful interaction with our parent club, the Coburg Harriers. Participation on Thursday evenings has remained steady at 15-25 each night dependent on weather conditions with special events such as “Neighbours Night” and the “Pudding Gift” attracting particular interest and involvement.

The weekly program of sprints, middle distance and longer events followed the same format as in previous years.

January/February took advantage of the longer daylight hours to get “Off the Beaten Track” and on to the bike paths  and parklands along the Merri Creek and in and around the Coburg Lake.

March/April featured the very competitive “Teams Handicap” with Joe Brown’s Juggernauts relatively easy winners. Individual trophy winners were Rob Davey, Fiona Ely and John Staunton.

Despite the heat and Moomba counter attractions, Coburg’s “new look” team of 11 competitors at the Vic. Masters Championships at Olympic Park equalled our previous best effort (2005) with a medal tally of 18. Congratulations to all who represented our club with particular thanks to those who volunteered to assist with the conduct of the Shot Put.

The May/June program included the traditional Mashed Marathon and for the first time an age-graded club championship event, held over a distance of 1000m on two nights with three divisions, Under 40, Under 60 and 60 Plus. The respective section winners were David Woods, Warren Burke and Bernie Leddin. Overall winner  and Club Champion was Bernie in the excellent time of  2 minutes, 39.8 secs off 183 metres.

With the Mashed Marathon it was left to the two Bernies (Goggin and Leddin) to keep this event on our running calendar.

Also in May we celebrated Harold Steven’s 80th birthday in style.

A spate of wet, wild and wintry weather meant little to our Spartan group who managed to compete in at least 7 of the 9 nights of the July/August program for which they were awarded certificates of achievement.

Perhaps the most challenging event on our calendar is the “Managers Challenge” held during September and October. Targets are set for both 400m and 4km with several opportunities to achieve one or both targets. Overall, honours were about even.

Also in October our “300 years plus” 4 x 200m relay team (George Goode 80, Neville Wilson 78, John Peacock 72 and Bernie Goggin 71) established a venue record of 3 min.18.8secs for this rather unique age group.

“Neighbours Night” was the highlight of the November Program with the Collingwood Cougars  retaining the Barb Dalgleish Memorial Trophy. Their winning 4 x 200m relay team established a new record time of 1-46.02. Doncaster Gold and the Coburg Lakers filled the minor placings.

December featured the 120m “Pudding Gift” with Juniors, Ladies and Men competing for the puddings made and presented by June Stevens. The respective winners were Juniors: Nicholas Harrap, Ladies: Celeste White and Men: Joe Brown.  No less keenly contested was the “Pudding Mile” with a field of 20 runners, led home by Adam Larsson. Our special thanks to Benny Tancredi and Paul Torrini for sashes and plaques.

Our Christmas Party marked the end of a successful year both competitively and socially. Our thanks once again, to Heather Collyer and her willing helpers on the night who prepared and served the Xmas meal enjoyed by all. “Santa” Goggin again delighted the children with his eagerly anticipated appearance and bag of gifts.

During the evening presentations were made to Julie Torrini, the recipient of the Harold Stevens Perpetual Trophy for outstanding service to the venue, and to our regular Thursday night helpers who make our club nights such a pleasant occasion. Our thanks also to all those who contributed anecdotes, photos and/or documents for inclusion in the Venue history prepared with great skill by George Goode. This will be an ongoing project with a useful start being made.

NEVILLE WILSON
VENUE MANAGER