History
It all began in Geelong in 1964
History of Athletics
Little Athletics evolved, like most voluntary community organisations, through the mind and conscience of one man. Trevor Billingham followed the pattern set by many pioneers in the field of community service. He recognised a need and introduced an idea designed to meet that need. On an October day in 1963, three boys turned up at an athletics meeting in Geelong. They were ready to compete. On approaching an official, they were told that they were too young to take part. That official was Trevor Billingham. The disappointment, evident in the boys, left a marked impression on his mind. The thought was forgotten; it came alive again several months later. At a coaching clinic designed for secondary school students it was noted that the majority of children were of primary school age. Reminded of his earlier experience, Trevor Billingham had an idea.
The answer to the need expressed in the children would be a simple Saturday morning competition. On the first Saturday of October 1964, he met with a small group of children on a Geelong oval. They took part in a short program of running events. From that simple beginning, athletics for Under 12 boys and girls developed at a phenomenal rate. LITTLE ATHLETICS WAS BORN...AND ON THE MOVE. Little Athletics created tremendous interest; by 1967, the Victorian Little Athletics Association was formed. Australian Little Athletics Union was formed in Perth on the 31 March 1972. Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory & Western Australia were the founding members. Victorian Little Athletics Association now has over 22,000 members competing.
From the Archives
Invitation to the first U12 athletics competition for boys and girls! The article goes on to say that the idea of the meeting was to provide competition for boys and girls not old enough to join seniors and not confident enough to compete in athletics in general. The entire Little Athletics movement began in Geelong, At Landy Field today, Geelong Little Athletics Centre Athletes proudly have the Number 1 on the competition tops which honours this heritage.
Known GLAC Life Members:
Life Members at the beginning of the 2019/20 season:
W.J.P. Wood* Betty Chesterman*
Fred Wilmshurst, Jack Frewin*, Joyce Lockyer*, Judy Wilmshurst, Noel Edgerton*, Joy Forrest, Elizabeth Bauer, Dennis Wootten*, Ray Forrest*, Trevor Billingham*, Jack Clarke*, Helen Russell (Watts), Debbie Taylor, Don Richardson, Gladys Kavanagh, Vicki Dick Bill Watson*, Geoff Barnes, Stan Stoop, Errol Morris, Hein Muileman, Ian Blanchonette, Peter Russell, Margaret Pocock, Graeme Barton, Doug Deakes*, Grant Pocock, Janet Walker, Angie Biviano, Noella Duggan, Peter Samon, Julia Marsh, Gerry Consedine, Jonathan Burns.
*deceased
Olympians:
MEN
Peter Larkins (Montreal 1976): Steeplechase
Peter van Miltenburg (Los Angeles 1984): 100m/200m [TBC as to whether registered at GLAC]
Paul Byrne (Atlanta 1996): 800m
Richard Colman (Athens 2004): 4x100m relay T53/54 – SILVER (Beijing 2008): 200m T53 – SILVER; 400m T53 – BRONZE (London 2012): 800m T53 – GOLD; 400m T53 – BRONZE; 4x400m relay T53/54 - BRONZE
Nathan Deakes (Athens 2004): 20km Walk – BRONZE
Joel Baden (Rio 2016): High Jump
WOMEN
Gabrielle Blythe (Barcelona 1992): 10km Walk
Georgie Clarke (Sydney 2000): 1500m