The South Australian Olympians club's annual dinner at the Grange Golf Club, Seaton on Saturday 16...
The South Australian Olympians club's annual dinner at the Grange Golf Club, Seaton on Saturday 16 July 2005 was a fantastic success. 23 Olympians and an additional 90 friends, family and supporters of the Olympic Movement supported the evening.
Mrs. Carmel Zollo deputising for Mr. Michael Wright Minister for Recreation and Sport was in attendance and we were also pleased to have members of the South Australian Olympic Council Board headed by David Prince. It was a very successful evening with several highlights including the attendance of seven young 2004 Athens Olympians - Travis Moran (Volleyball), Amber Halliday (Rowing), Mark Ormrod (Athletics), Kate Barclay (Kayaking), Brook Krueger (Athletics), Sally Newmarch (Rowing) and Ben Wigmore (Baseball).
Olympians club president John Heard together with Mrs. Robyn Granger Executive Director of the Olympic Council presented the Olympic pins to our attending 2004 Olympians.
ABC sports presenter and master of ceremonies for the evening Neil Cross posed questions to Sally Newmarch our guest speaker regarding her long and illustrious Rowing career including three Olympic Games. Sally spoke particularly about the balance in sport and life and is currently considering the prospect of a record fourth Olympic Games in Beijing.
Track and Field Athletes Leon Gregory & Mark Ormrod were recognised each having won a silver medal in an Olympic Games 4 x 400 relay. Mark at Athens 2004 and Leon at Melbourne in 1956.
Other Olympians in attendance were:
- Bob Braid – Cycling
- Alex Beattie – Football
- Colin Burdett – Basketball
- Marlene Chapman - Swimming
- Barry Cheales - Gymnastics
- Leon Gregory –Track and Field
- John Heard – Basketball
- Malcolm Heard - Basketball
- Ron Jonker – Cycling
- Albert Leslie – Basketball
- Glen Maguire – Medical team
- Michael Papps - Shooting
- Andrew Potter – Medical Team
- Brian Sando – Medical Team
- Wendy Schaeffer – Equestrian
- Val Winter – Shooting
During the course of the evening interviews were conducted with some of the Athens Olympians which provided insight and understanding into their aspects of competing at an Olympic Games.
A number of door and raffle prizes were drawn much to the excitement of all towards the end of the evening. Organisers John Heard, Glen Maguire, Burdett and Leon Gregory were most pleased with the positive atmosphere and friendship of the evening.
