Page 2 — <strong>December</strong> 2007 <strong>Vetrunner</strong>John Parker andJuani B O’Reilly(50 run T-Shirts)Roger Pilkington(100 run T-Shirt)and John Busteed(200 run T-Shirt)Waddell Series winners:Greg O’Neill (Gold), JohnBusteed (Silver) and RickHatcher (Bronze)Left: Frylink Series winners:Wanda Stewart (gold) andJodie Sims (Silver)Below: Thomas Series winners:Barbara Tucker (gold)and Howard Hollow (silver)
<strong>December</strong> 2007 <strong>Vetrunner</strong> — Page 3Thinking about it, <strong>December</strong> is a concept inherited fromthe northern hemisphere, and can be an anomaly in itsAntipodal manifestation. At this time of year, thepredominant cultural practices in our wide, and(increasingly) brown, land draw heavily on Europe. There,<strong>December</strong> beckons the winter equinox, and progressivelyless darkness per 24 hours, and invigorating sunlight aroundthe corner, so to speak. Christmas, as a religious event, andthe other stalwart of <strong>December</strong>, celebrates the birth of thecentral figure in the Christian heritage. Birth is symbolic ofgrowth, development, achievement.<strong>December</strong> in the northern hemisphere is cold, andChristmas settings are frequently snow encrusted. Beforeindustrialisation, living would have been a little cramped in<strong>December</strong> for any European forebears. Christmas was apep-me-up to its adherents, reminding them that they’dturned the corner and given hope for spring and warmerweather. Since the steam engine and growing literacy,Christmas morphed from its cultural ‘toe-hold on life’ into acommercial bonanza. Here, we work from January to arrive‘exhausted’ in <strong>December</strong>, where only holidays, gift-givingand other life affirming activities centred around family(food playing its part) give ‘a good break’ and revive us foranother year. Ah, how we cherish our traditions!What has this got to do with athletics? Well, for our club,memberships are due for renewal, and members are urged torenew for 2008. You can do this online, via Register Nowfollowing the links to memberships on the <strong>ACT</strong>VAC websiteBut there are more fundamental connections for athleticsand the end of year, Christmas-type notions. First, athleticspredates Christmas, and Christianity, by a long chalk. Weknow that it held a central place in the Hellenic cultural lifefor centuries before the modern era. Athletes came togetherto compete and socialise, and to celebrate achievement andlife. They would have done this in good weather, that issummertime, so our November events in throwing, walkingPRESIDENT’S MESSAGEand running continue that ancient tradition.Life with a capital ‘L’ continues, as does our club.Through the many and varied contributions of each andevery one of us, we create those inherently real, humanconditions that give us all the opportunity to enjoy, toparticipate, compete, to give our all. The real test of ourhumanity, a club for its members, is the opportunity formembers to participate and do their best, irrespective of theoutcome. Whether we seek personal satisfaction, or theaccolades of peers, the club has pretty much got the balanceright, with room for improvement. The variety ofachievements and experiences reported in <strong>Vetrunner</strong> is butone aspect of the whole being greater than the sum of itsparts.It is the time of year that the club honours those amongus who embody the values of striving, fairness andcommunity. These put our members, front and centre, bothas individuals and as contributors to the common good. Welldone to those who have had their contribution confirmed andacknowledged. Special congratulations to Alison Ide, <strong>ACT</strong>Masters SportsStar for 2007.A reminder about our Sunday pack runs. Currently, weleave at 9am on Sundays in Weston Park, corner of WestonPark Road and Prescott Lane. We look forward to seeing youthere. We may relocate to Stromlo Forest Park, following itsinauguration as a running facility on 18 November.Seasons greetings, and may all your experiences befestive. Remember, all travellers want to arrive safe andsound at their destination. Be alert, be respectful, becompassionate when driving, running, walking or evencycling this <strong>December</strong> and January. Make sure you andothers get there safely.Christopher Lang, President<strong>ACT</strong> VETERANS ATHLETIC CLUB “Fitness Through Fellowship”The <strong>Vetrunner</strong> is the official Newsletter of <strong>ACT</strong>VAC ISSN 1449-8006Postal Address: GPO Box 2356, Canberra, <strong>ACT</strong> 2601. Internet at: actvac.com.auDisclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of <strong>ACT</strong>VACPatron: Jack PenningtonPresident: Chris Lang . 62317353 (h)62613696 (w)0427317353 (m). Email:president@actvac.comVice President: Rosemary Parker: 62882508(h) Email: vicepresident@actvac.com;Run/Walking Sub-CommitteeSecretary: Rod Lynch62427071 (h)Email: secretary@actvac.comTreasurer: Audrey Gormley 02 6241 2934 (h).Email: treasurer@actvac.comAssets register, Insurance. Awards Sub-CommitteeMain Committee:Geoff Sims 62547284 (h)Email: committee@actvac.comJack Thackray 02 6262 4248 (AH) 0409 813368 (m)committee@actvac.comMarion Blake: 62817574 (h) 62899122 (w).Email: marion.blake@nhrmc.gov.auPeter Cullen02 62412934 (H) 0425 301 940 (m)committee@actvac.comRoger Pilkington: 62517966 (h). 0409543826(m).Email: committee@actvac.comMember/Services Sub-Committee.Craig Wisdom: 62889499 (h) 62068244 (w).Email: k.physio@bigpond.net.auCoaching/Training Sub-CommitteeSub-Committee Contacts:Annual Awards/Half Marathon Director:Bryan Thomas 61613635 (h). Email:brytrish@grapevine.com.auMembership Services: Geoff Moore 62544753(h) Email: speedygeoff@netspeed.com.auCompetition: Alice Scott 62383178 (h). Email:alice@yless4u.com.auSocial Events: Val Chesterton 62928994 (h)Jenny Galvin 62925294 (h) Monika Short62958625 (h).Run/Walk Handicaps: Stuart J Reid 62942368(h). Email: reidsk@grapevine.com.auInformation and Technology/Registrar: MickCorlis 62963969 (h) 62750753 (w) Email:mick.corlis@wizardis.com.auThrowing Handicaps: Trish Thomas61613635. Email: brytrish@grapevine.com.auOther Contacts:Catering/Lost Property: John Suiter 62959524(h) AIS track. John Alcock 62863213 (h)/BernieMillett 62999065 (h) (Monthly Run/WalkingHcps)Peter Freeman (Throwing Hcp) 62395112 (h).<strong>Club</strong> Marquee: .Equipment Officer: Jayne Hardy 62271433 (h)0421610053 (m).Health and Safety Officer: Roy Jones62510148 (h).Public Officer: Chris Mahe 62951440 (h).Email: mahe@homemail.com.auRelays and Cross Country: Jim White62314168 (h).Statistican and <strong>Club</strong> Records: Neil Boden62424038 (h) 62499428 (w). Email at home:nboden@iprimus.com.au or at workNeil.Boden@ga.gov.auUniform and Badges Sales: Rosemary/BobParker 62882508.<strong>Vetrunner</strong> Editor: Narelle Blackaby 62588902(h), Email: vetrunner@actvac.com<strong>Vetrunner</strong> Distribution:Roger Abbott 62514051.Jenny Galvin 62925294.Run/Walking Handicap Sub-Committee,<strong>Vetrunner</strong>: Doug Fry 62886439 (h)Email: frydoug@yahoo.comFirst Aid Officers: Roy Jones, Gai Webster,Michelle Granville, Marlene Reid.
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