Citius, Altius, Fortius.
WESTERN SUBURBS ATHLETIC & HARRIER CLUB
OUR CLUB LEGENDS & MEMORIES
As with any new venture in the sporting field the evolution of a successful club starting with a group of untrained potential talent produces over the years the fabric that legends are wove from. It must be remembered that this generation of youth in New Zealand had just lived through the most tumultuous time in our nation's history. The very real threat of an invasion and the relief at the arrival of the U.S. military forces. WW2 had ended and slowly the restrictions were easing or disappearing. The experiences and influence of returning war veterans started the social changes that set New Zealand on a new course. Here are some memories before the mind dims.
Zelda Corbett winning the 80 mtr Hurdles for the Clubs first Auckland Championship in 1947 and Peter Hellreigal winning the New Zealand Junior Championship One Mile Walk in 1948 and 1949, then the Senior One Mile Walk Title in 1952, showing it could be done, we were on our way.
Who remembers that great personality Charlie Masters running as a visitor on Club nights? The NZ Army Middle East sprint champion and the fastest man over 50 yards we have ever seen.
The large figure of National discus and shot champ Gus Redmond looking sideways at the potential threat of young gun schoolboy Les Mills as Les warmed up before an open Discus event.
The Churchill trophy
was a battered plaster bust of Winston Churchill and the holder was the current 50 yard champion.
It could be challenged for by a club member at any time, but only at the park, particularly if the holder had competed in say a mile race.
The saturday night party at Jim McKinnon's house, his mum was away. Bernie Leydon led a shaggy wet horse from the Arch Hill paddocks into the lounge to warm up at the fire.
Who remembers the spartan concrete changing rooms under the terraces at Sarawai Park, later Newmarket Park? Built by the US forces and home of the Auckland Centre meetings.
The thrill of watching beautifully balanced Doug Harris stride gracefully around Sarawai Park on the grass track in near 880yds world record time chased by Mossie Marshall
The sound system acting as the Pied Piper, and the grass bank at Grey Lynn park packed with families, and children from the area watching our wednesday club night, they even came to watch us training.
Roy Woods leaving an Annual Prizegiving at the Francis St Hall, to find his baby Austin car wedged between two trees on the footpath.
The heart broken club member sprinter being barred and turned away by our club officials after he was reported for competing at a professional athletic meeting for money.
Our club champion javelin thrower practising with the wooden javelin and a young man throwing it back to land 40 ft behind the champion. An unknown Malcolm Hahn had arrived.
With the high jump standards extended to maximum, clearing 8ft for the first time with the bamboo pole in the Pole Vault, and landing awkwardly in the hard as concrete sandpit.
Jack Dunn woken from sleep and interrupting a party at 1.30 in the morning and a group of shame faced athletes climbing down off the roof of the Grey Lynn Library opposite his house.
Ikes father and brother leaving the park as they thought he had pulled out of a 3 mile race. Finding out later he had won by over a lap and broken the club record.
Sunday night in the old green clubrooms watching Keith Slatter's film projector, playing British movies like Henry the V. and exciting nature films of birds weaving nests.
Lifting weights under Eric Fernandez's flat at the grocers shop in Surrey Crescent in his makeshift gym with homemade weights.
Winter training, running from the park to the top of Mt Eden and running back up the Bullock Track. Then off to Powell,s milkbar at the Reservoir corner for milkshakes, dying of thirst.
Running in the first ever Round the Harbour relay event and getting the leg up Albany Hill, then running the last leg from the Whau bridge to the park as we had no fit runners left.
Eric Fernandez set a Harrier course that ran across Meola Reef. Half of us were up to our knees in stinking black mud, while Eric knowing a track ran home to the park finishing first and laughing all the way
Running in a Great Eastern road race from Howick, over the old Panmure Bridge and straight into the front door of the Panmure Hotel. A quick beer and then leaving to the cheers of the enthusiastic Hotel Patrons.
Competing in the first ever decathlon at Carlaw Park. Then on the second day the Sunday morning, there were more officals present than spectators.
Running in the 440 hurdles at Carlaw Park, the 3 outside lanes stepped up a foot at the fourth hurdle, because of a drain running off the end of the old asphalt terraces.
Running in the Onehunga to Auckland road race and taking the wrong turn and ending up in the Parnell Rose Gardens.
The proposed naming of a new rose after Yvette Williams when she won the Olympic title in 1952. It was refused as it may infringe her amateur status.
Fanny Blankerskoen's coach [her husband] received a furnished house on their return to Holland after her sucessful Olympic Games.
Riding pillion on Jim Mckinnon's motor cyle down Khyber Pass, to the American hamburger bar in Newmarket, from whatever party we were at, and doing 100 mph, no traffic cops, or traffic lights or even traffic in those days.
The excitement of the season's first open meeting at a spectator packed Domain on Labour Day and the Harry Holland Memorial Steeplechase. Each club hosting an annual meeting every weekend. A country circuit that included Tekuiti, Waiuku, Waipu, Hamilton, Whangarei, Dargaville, Helensville, Kaihu, and these were big events in their local communities.
Jim McKinnon playing New Zealand and World legend Clarke McConachy at snooker, getting 7 blacks start. Jim scored off the break, Clarke was not amused and virtually cleared the table.
John Hinton employed as a tailoring cutter trying to tell a club meeting of the difference in design of the crutch of running shorts between mens and womens, until a deadly silence reigned.
The exciting final of the sprint at an open meeting. 80 odd entries in the heats and semi's. The handicapper smiling because no more than a foot separated the runners in the final at the tape.
Running out of town at a Tauranga Meeting getting a handicap of 16yds start and a hurdle down in the 220 hurdles and equalling the world record.
Every Easter weekend, and at least 8 busloads of Auckland club athletes competing at Matamata on saturday and Tauranga on monday, virtually the whole town turning out as spectators.
Harry Morrison making an aqualung from drawings and me trying it out in crystal clear Western Springs and the murky Waitemata Harbour.
Opening a new world of underwater adventure.
Going to visit Mr Ness the cobbler, a real tradesman in his craft at his shop in New North Rd and being measured up for hand made running shoes.
Keith Slatter's old black dog "Ruffles" being regularly named in 3rd place in the results of the harrier extra slow pack so everyone got their name in the 8 O'clock sports results on Saturday night.
Sleeping in Noel Bouvaird's large exarmy tent at Easter weekend and awakening to the first frost, then getting a bucket of free ice cold milk from the Matamata Dairy factory.
Who remembers the identical May twins from the Onehunga Club. Depending on the handicap they received at open meetings they would swap places so one of them would win the event.
The heated discussions over the probity of Women's club uniforms in the light of what is worn today. Another time, another place
On a club trip to Kaihu in 1950, swimming at Chase's Gorge and being caught in a treacherous surf, becoming weakened, then the strong capable hands of Malcolm Hahn, swimming out with the lifeline to save my life. The rest of my clubmates frantically working the reel.
Running under floodlights at Ellerslie Domain on the tuesday night at the Ellerslie Club meeting. Using your own shadow as a pacemaker in distance races.
A leopard escaped from the Auckland Zoo and Malcolm Hahn searches the bush at the back of the Zoo armed with a knife.
Under the stand at Carlaw Park as a Junior to be introduced and meet Loyd La Beach and Arthur Wint running exhibition races after the 1948 Olympics. What an impression, what a stride on Wint. Giants of men.
Selected at the New Zealand 1948 Junior Championships to meet Shirley Strickland after her Olympic victory and have afternoon tea with her at the New Plymouth White Hart Hotel.
A charming modest lady and a fine athlete.
Danny Potter, Jim McKinnon and myself watching the New Zealand Professional Athletic Championships at Western Springs. Between us we could have won nearly every event on the program.
Home Page
Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!
All additions and enquiries for the years 1945 and onwards
ivand@orcon.net.nz
View My Guestbook
Sign My Guestbook
Date Created: 2006
Last Modified: 2006
Author: Ike Dominikovich
