| 1978 David Kitt |
David joined the club at the age of 16 when asked by his cousin Richard who was President of the Club at that time. He got involved as secretary and President over a number of years, Along with Richard they and the small club membership (there wouldn't have been more than 20 members back in the late 50's early 60's) conducted bottle drives, went rabbiting (editor note - no wonder they were fit in the good old days chasing rabbits like greyhounds) then taking orders from people and selling their catch to raise funds for the club, provided supper at club Presentation nights with the members paying 2 shillings and sixpence (25 cents in today's money). David was also involved with the Bendigo Regional Centre ( Now Athletics Bendigo) as Vice President, President. He become a VAAA coach, served as a Board member on Athletics Victoria, Victorian Team Manager, Country Committee member, Technical observer for Australia at Olympic Games, organised a number of club trips, both interstate and to Hong Kong/China. Involved also with the Olympic Dream runs and the around the Bay runs. David along with Ian Bowles, Barry Boxshall and other club members came up with the idea of running a fun run at Easter which is now well known as the Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile securing the sponsorship from the Bendigo Building Society (now Bendigo Bank). He was a life member of Athletics Bendigo and a Merit Holder of Athletics' Victoria. A Trophy was donated in his honour for the best Male club at the Victorian Country Championships for his support and dedication to Country Athletics. He held numerous records and won local Track and Cross Country titles and Country Championships as well as winning the Keith Huddle Memorial in 1965. |
| 1981 Ian Bowles |
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| 1981 Barry Boxshall |
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| 1981 Graeme Smith |
Graeme Maxwell Smith is a long-standing loyal contributor of the club, who achieved the positions of Club President and Treasurer; each for two terms.
Graeme joined the Bendigo YMCA Harriers in 1964, at the age of 15 and was a competitive athlete for 30 years. He still enjoys attending the occasional cross country meeting, but he only runs warm-up distances with the crew. The gusto of earlier days is now a treasured memory, but he continues to enjoy the company of the members.
Smith did not ever consider himself to have the natural ability of some but history shows he had some serious high points. He ran in the Victorian Country Marathon and was placed third on an occasion and completed one marathon PB of 2 hours 47 minutes and 44 seconds. He also enjoyed winning a few places at the Bendigo Championships.
Some of the most precious times he spent with the club, was during training sessions on Sunday mornings at One Tree Hill. The training group contained “such high quality people”, Graeme recalls. As a self-coached athlete, his fellow runners gave him generous support and advice. The late David Kitt was one of those people, who gave him ongoing encouragement, which he appreciated immensely.
Today, he continues to value the company of the Harrier’s membership and reflects on the years of enjoyment, that he has experienced with the club. His Life Membership was fittingly presented in 1981.
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1981 Ivan Kitt
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Ivan joined the club at the age of 11 and has been a club member for 46 years. In that time Ivan has undertaken various roles within the club, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Press Correspondent, Club Newsletters, Official and coach also representing the club at Centre level and Athletics Victoria on Summer and Winter Committees.Ivan has been a link between the Harriers and the Bendigo Regional YMCA.
In 1977 Ivan officiated at Pan Pacific Games in Canberra and 1982 at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. For his contribution to the Club and the Sport he has been awarded Life Membership of Athletics Bendigo, Merit Award Athletics Victoria, 40 year service badge from Athletics Australia,Achievement Award Sports Focus. Centenary Award and recently a Life Membership of the Bendigo Regional YMCA.
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1993 Maryan Andrea
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Maryan became involved with athletics and the Bendigo YMCA Harriers when her daughter Michelle took up athletics with the YM/YW Little athletics club, where Maryan helped out officiating and the running of the club. When Michelle continued on into senior athletics Maryan followed continuing to help the club officiating and became Secretary of the club for a number of years.
Maryan worked at the Hospital (Bendigo Health) and through her support got the club involved with the Hospital Review "Instiches" that resulted in the club being given a donation for our work, This happened every two years which became a club fundraiser but also a great social activity for members. Maryan also played a big role in the clubs Trips to Hong Kong and China. She is still involved with the Club every Easter Monday assisting with the Dragon Mile and Drink van at the Madison Carnival.
Maryan was the first female Life member of the club and her life membership was well deserved. |
| 1999 Paul Bennett |
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| 1999 Neil Macdonald |
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| 1999 Keith Macdonald |
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| 2001 Leon Gilbert |
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| 2003 Leigh Purtill |
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| 2003 Garnet Rodda |
Garnet Ian Rodda was presented a Life Membership in 2003, by the former Bendigo YMCA Harriers club member and then current AFL player, Ian Pendergast. He was proud to receive it, (even if it was from a Carlton footballer).
In earlier times, he served for two years as Club Secretary, followed by six years as Treasurer and then four years as President.
He enjoys significant respect and remains active in the Cross Country season and the Track and Field events. Further, he is admired for his years of input into the Club’s Little Athletics administration and the kid’s athletics education. Today, Garnet continues as a solid all-round contributor to our Club.
His athletic interests commenced in 1964 when he joined the Geelong YMCA Club. This developed a diverse range of activities involving youth groups, supervision of teenage trips to the YMCA camp at Queenscliff, qualifying in leadership duties, etc. Further, he was a member of the YMCA Athletics Club and played football in the under 15’s and 18’s, plus he coached YMCA Little League football teams.
In 1992, he was promoted by his employer, the Education Department and moved to Bendigo Paul Bennett introduced him to the Harriers and the rest is history.
Garnet is a very worthy life member and has benefited from his membership considerably. It has provided fitness, friendship and comradery with a wonderfully positive group of people.
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| 2004 Anne Buckley |
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2006 Jack Davey
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| 2007 John Knight |
John joined the Bendigo YMCA Harriers in 1975, John won U/17 and two U/19 Victorian High Jump Titles, 1976 Bendigo High Jump Champion. In 1977 John went to Ranger College Texas USA on an Athletics Scholarship, where he was Texas High Jump Champion. John was also a 5 times Victorian High Jump Champion, as well as New South Wales Open Champion, 3 times runner up in the Australian High Jump Championships.On two occasions was flag bearer and carried the Victorian Flag for the Australian Championships. Australian Track and Field representative for the Pacific Conference Games in Canada and USA in 1985. John was Australian Team Flag Bearer for the Opening Ceremony in San Francisco, 1985.
Captain of the Victorian Track and Field Captain 1986, representing Victoria in High Jump on 25 occasions whilst being an Olympic Torch Bearer in 2000. John has always been prepared to assist any club member with some coaching in High Jump and promote the club when ever he could. It was nothing for John to catch the train from Quambatook on a Saturday to compete in the High Jump for the Club. In 1984 John set a record of 2.20 metres which still stands as the Bendigo Centre Record 25 years later.
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| 2007 Ken Bruechert |
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| 2007 Alan Craven |
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2009 Tony Fahy
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2010 Frank Barr
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| 2010 Margaret Kitt |
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