Obituary Ian White

4 June 2021

Obituary Ian White

There have been few greater contributors to athletics in NSW during the last 40 years than Ian White. He sadly lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday May 29, aged 81.

Born on 29 November 1939, Ian White grew up in a sporting family. His mother Linda was a hockey player selected for Victoria while still a schoolgirl. His Dad, Ray, won the Australian NZ Universities meet 440 yards hurdles in 1928. Ray was an official at the 1956 Olympics and 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth. Ray was also on the Executive of AAA of NSW for 30 years and co-authored a history of Athletics NSW.

Aged seven living in Canberra, Ian’s first memories of the Olympics were the 1948 Games in London. In 2010 Ian White wrote about his early sporting interests.

“I followed the athletics, and some other results enthusiastically. I remember being keen to become an Olympic athlete.”

Ian commenced his involvement in athletics aged just nine.

“From about 1949 I attended the AAA of NSW Inter-Club athletics at Henson Park with Ray and started helping the man whose truck was used to move equipment on and off the field. By 1951 or 1952 I was a Junior Official who held the finish line tape, and progressed to being the time keepers’ recorder for two or three seasons. I watched the 1949 Australian Track and Field Championships at SCG and at Australian Track and Field Championships at SCG in 1954 I was the time keepers’ recorder.”

Ian was a talented hurdler and won the state schools Open 110mH title in 1956.

“I started winning hurdles races in my age group at Canterbury High in 1952 and ran at the CHS on the SCG from 1952 to 1956. “

“I started training with Ernie Watson’s squad in 1953 - on Saturday afternoons at Scarborough Park Ramsgate. In the 1955-56 season I started competing running for St George in AAA of NSW competitions at E S Marks.”

Ernie Watson was one of the best hurdle coaches in Australia and Ian trained alongside Betty Moore, Bruce Abrahams and Barry Webb.

He joined Sydney University Athletics Club in 1957 and was secretary in 1958, then captain and a lifelong Vice President. He ran for the club until 1968, with a break for two years 1963 to 1964 when he was studying in Canada.

“I was a competitor at Australian Track and Field Championships in hurdles in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1965, and 1967.”

Ian specialised in all hurdle events – 110m, 200m and 400m. His highlights were third in the 200m hurdles at the 1962 nationals and fourth in the 400m hurdles in 1965. His personal bests were 110m hurdles 14.8, 200m hurdles 24.1 and 400m hurdles 53.8. His highest national rankings were 110m hurdles #6 (1962), 200m hurdles #5 (1962) and 400m hurdles #9 (1959 & 1965).

In 1962 he was a member of the Combined Australian Universities team to tour NZ.

As his competitive career was winding down, Ian started to become as a regular official in 1968, volunteering as a wind gauge official at the Australian Track and Field Championships at E. S. Marks that year.

For the next four decades he was a key official for Athletics NSW.

During this time, he also officiated at every international Games or championships Australia hosted, plus he travelled overseas for a couple of world championships. Events were: 1977 Pacific Conference Games, 1982 & 2006 Commonwealth Games, 1985 World Cup, 1996 World Junior Championships, 2000 Olympics and Paralympic Games, 2001 Goodwill Games and 2001 IAAF Grand Prix final. He also travelled to officiate at the 1999 World Championships (Spain) and 2001 World Championships (Canada).

He officiated at 33 national championships, in 1954, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, and each year from 1982 to 2009. His appointments at Australian Championships included timekeepers’ recorder, wind gauge operator, umpire, decathlon/heptathlon scorer, photo-finish judge, Chief Photo-finish Judge, Meeting Manager, Technical Information Centre Manager, Call Room Manager and Jury.

Ian displayed great fitness years after his competitive career. During his peak, in 1959 he ran 54.9 for 440 yards hurdles on the grass track and Sydney University, but 20-years later in 1978 in preparation for the Inter-varsity Championships on No.1 Oval, he did a test run over the 400m hurdles in the low 60’s!

He joined his father Ray as a member of the AAANSW History Committee which produced the Centenary History in 1987. He was also involved in the research and factual checking of the SUAC history in 1978.

Ian also worked tirelessly over many years on the City to Surf. In the years that he ran, he would do the check-in at the Town Hall before jogging down to the start.

In addition to his early club administration work with Sydney University, he served on the UTS Norths committee from 1979.

His week-in week-out commitment to competitions in NSW was one of his most extensive contributions to the sport. After many competitions, Ian would undertake considerable follow-up with the goal of constant improvement. During the week after the competition, he would seek feedback from athletes, officials and coaches, then prepare a report to assist the next time the competition was held.

He also held many key positions in administration at Athletics NSW. He was Athletics NSW Board Member from 1988 to 1994, Interclub committee member 1982 to 1988. He also was involved in the organising committees for dozens of major events including 1996 World Juniors, 2000 Olympics and 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Ian’s passion and involvement in the administration of the sport continued the family legacy started by his father Ray who officiated at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. A member of the family has officiated/volunteered at every international Games or Championship in Australian since 1956. His five children, Brian, Chris, Adrian, Alanna and Janet all competed in athletics. Brian would enter administration, serving as Athletics NSW Board Member and chairperson, while Janet Nixon has become one of the world’s leading photo-finish judges three decades after starting as a basket carrier at the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Ian’s wife Ann was also an Athletics NSW official for decades.

Undoubtedly a very proud moment for Ian was the Sydney 2000 Olympics when six members of the family were involved. Janet and Ian held key roles of Photo finish judge and Technical Information Manager (TIC) respectively, while Alanna was a volunteer in the Technical Information Centre. Brian, and Janet’s husband, David Nixon, were volunteers at athletics training venues. Adrian, who was a very good 800m athlete, was an Athletics Announcers assistant. A seventh member of the family, Chris was a part of the AOC’s Boxing Kangaroos. Ian’s grand-daughter, Linda Nixon, became a Athletics NSW official in 2008 at the young age of 11. She was a volunteer in Sports Presentations at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and now based in Canberra has started officiating there.

For about 10 years in the ‘70s and 80s, Ian coached schoolboy and schoolgirl hurdlers. On three occasions he was a Manager of the NSW junior track and field team. In the ‘90s he was one of the Athletics NSW advisers to the Sydney Olympic Bid on the detailed design of the facilities at the International Athletic Centre at Homebush.

Outside of athletics, Ian was an engineer with the Public Works department, gaining two undergraduate degrees at Sydney University. He also completed a Masters at Queens University in Canada.

Former UTS Norths President Ron Bendall, perfectly summary up Ian White:

“During my six years as UTS Norths President, I relied heavily on Ian's wise counsel.

As you know he loved to talk about athletics. When most people phone you to discuss something they ask ‘Have you got a spare five minutes.’

Ian used to ask "Have you got a spare half hour to chat." and it was always time well spent.

One day I was giving him a lift to a competition at Mingara. We got so involved talking about athletics that I missed the Wyong Rd turn-off and we were well on our way to Newcastle before we realised it.

I always loved Ian's sense of humour. Long after I had stepped down as club president, Ian still called me Mr President. He said he was following US tradition where Americans addressed all past presidents as Mr President.”

Former Athletics NSW CEO and Sydney University colleague, Malcolm Harrison wrote about hos Ian set the standard for many officials who followed:

“Ian had an extraordinary ability to work through the most complex event scheduling - balancing officials, athletes and media requirements with rare mistakes. His work over the many events leading up to the 2000 Olympics - a World Juniors, multiple Australian Championships, Schools Champs, NSW Championships, Grand Prix events etc.always saw Ian ‘attack’ the task with enthusiasm and methodically work through the entire program. He invariably would talk (informally) with top athletes prior to finalising a schedule - especially where athletes were aspiring to double up or attempt events across different age categories. Likewise, determining which jump/throw locations would be used to ensure a smooth scheduling of events was always key to his thinking.”

Barry Webb and Ian’s 70-year friendship started in 1953 when they both joined Ernie Watson’s squad.

“An absolute gentleman to meet, Ian was a fierce competitor on the track with his special event being the 120-yard high hurdles,” wrote Webb. After Ian won the CHS hurdles in 1956, Barry won in 1957. In all their tussles Barry only defeated Ian once – in 1960 at the Sydney University versus Duntroon meet in Canberra. In Barry’s last race in 1962 Ian was one place ahead of him at the Australian Championships. “I will miss him great,” wrote Barry.

Recognised for his extensive contribution to the sport, Ian White was awarded life memberships with Athletics Australia, Athletics NSW and UTS Norths. He received the Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Award, prestigious 2000 Sports Medal and a Platinum Service Award with Athletics Australia for 40-years service.

For over four decades Ian White worked tirelessly to improve the sport for athletes. He would regularly consult with athletes and would consider all aspects from their point of view. He worked as hard at the grass roots of the sport as he did at the very elite. His legacy is enormous, the sport is immensely fortunate to have such a person contribute.

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Statistics, Awards, Honours and Affiliations

Clubs: St George, Sydney University, Wollongong Southern Flame Club, UTS Norths

Awards:

Life Member Athletics Australia, Athletics NSW, UTS Norths,

Merit Award Athletics NSW

Sports NSW Distinguished Long Service Award

2000 Sports Medal

Platinum Service Award – Athletics Australia

Roles at International competitions:

1977 Pacific Conference Games, Canberra – Wind gauge operator

1982 Commonwealth Games, Brisbane – Wind gauge operator

1985 IAAF World Cup of Athletics, Canberra – Photo Finish Judge

1996 IAAF World Junior Championships, Sydney - TIC Manager

1999 IAAF World Championships, Seville ESP - TIC

2000 Pacific School Games, Sydney - TIC Manager

2000 Olympic Games, Sydney - TIC Manager

2000 Paralympic Games, Sydney - TIC Manager

2001 IAAF World Championships, Edmonton CAN - TIC

2001 Goodwill Games, Brisbane - TIC Manager

2001 IAAF Grand Prix Final, Melbourne - Video Manager

2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne – TIC Manager

Australian Championships Results:

1959 (Hobart)

200m hurdles 5th final 25.6 (25.0 heat), 110m hurdles 4th heat 15.3

1961 (Brisbane)

200m hurdles 3rd heat 24.8

1962 (Sydney)

110m hurdles 4th heat 15.2, 200m hurdles 3rd final 24.1 (heat 24.5)

1965 (Hobart)

200m hurdles 4th heat 24.9, 400m hurdles 4th 54.4

1967 (Adelaide)

110m hurdles 4th heat 15.7, 200m hurdles 3rd heat 25.0, 400m hurdles 6th heat 54.1

Annual Bests & Australian ranking:

1957 – 110m hurdles 15.7 #20, 200m hurdles 26.3 #24

1958 - 110m hurdles 15.2 #13, 200m hurdles 25.8 #34

1959 – 110m hurdles 15.1 #12, 200m hurdles 24.9 #10, 400m hurdles 54.9 #9

1960 – 110m hurdles 15.2 #11

1961 – 200m hurdles 24.7 #12

1962 – 110m hurdles 14.8 #6, 200m hurdles 24.1, #5, 400m hurdles 55.9 #24

1963 – 110m hurdles 15.1 #15

1964 – 110m hurdles 15.2 #20

1965 – 110m hurdles 15.1 #17, 200m hurdles 24.6 #11, 400m hurdles 54.1 #9

1966 – 200m hurdles 24.4 #13, 400m hurdles 54.1 #10

1967 – 110m hurdles 15.0 #15, 200m hurdles 24.2 #10, 400m hurdles 53.8 #11

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Images: Ian White

Ian’s Funeral Service:

Tuesday June 8th at 3.00pm in Magnolia Chapel at the Macquarie Park Crematorium

Entrance Drive, North Ryde

Wake 4.00pm-5:30pm in the Wallumatta Function Centre, next to the chapel

Some tributes from officials, athletes and friends:

Andrew Matthews (official): “Took me under his wing when I knew nothing about athletics, and taught me much of what I know. Above that and far more importantly, he was a kind generous man. Thinking of you Janet and family. RIP Mighty Whitey”

Paul Laurendet (athlete, coach): “Absolutely awesome bloke! Helped me so much over the years and always had time for a chat and wonderful advice. I will miss him.”

Denis Wilson (official, school friend): “We had many a discussion over the years on athletics rules particularly regarding hurdling. Ian was a great athlete, official & friend. He is sadly missed.”

Chris Cohen (IPC/WA official): “So sad to hear this news, Janet. Ian was not just very knowledgeable about our sport but was such a nice man. Always willing to help and support, to give advice and information. We had some good chats in the lead-up to Sydney and Melbourne and I really enjoyed working with him. My condolences to you and the family and to all his countless friends.”

Trudy Thompson (athlete): “Very sad news. He was always up for a chat and was always genuinely interested in how you were going.”

Kim Owens (official): “I remember well his demonstrations of a trailing leg in hurdling demonstrated with a chair in the GP room at SOPAC. His expertise will be sorely missed.”

Valmai Loomes (administrator): “My condolences to the family,ian was devoted to our sport and there was very little that he didnt know. A knowledgable man of our sport but was one of the first to meet and greet you and always had a great chat. Will be sadly missed by us all in athletics.”

Graeme Barry (athlete): “Rest In Peace Ian - what a great person he was to have at the track when competing. Always knew what was happening and happy to engage with everyone. Condolences to the family too.”

Frank Clark (Olympian): “What a marvelous man. A great competitor before officiating. Beautiful family. A friend to many. Thanks Ian”

Kerry O'Keefe (NSWLA administrator): “So sorry to hear this very sad news. Such a kind gentleman, who would do anything to help anyone. His memory will certainly live on. My condolences to the family. RIP Ian.”

Laurie Keaton (official): “Ian has been a valued colleague for over 40 years. From my early contacts in my years as CHS convener I experienced creativity and wisdom that identified Ian. His solution to judges completely missing 2nd place at Narrabeen in the rain in the 80’s at a CHS championship was legendary. To Janet, Linda, Brian and family his contribution was specially unique.”

Graham Kearns (official): “Very sorry to hear that Janet. He was very helpful to me when I first started officiating at ANSW events and his lifelong commitment to the sport was amazing.”

John Murray (athlete, official, administrator): “RIP Ian. Your love for athletics was infectious and I enjoyed working with you in TIC at Melbourne 2006 and learnt a lot from you. Condolences to all the family!”

Peter Anderson (official): “Sorry to hear this Janet Nixon, my thoughts are with you and I'm sending my love to you and your family. I'm so privileged to have met and spoken to Ian on a number of occasions. All the best in the coming days.”

John Kenny (athlete): “Single-handedly convened the 1978 Universities athletes meet on Oval number one; My favourite of eight inter University championships...Organised, stoic, kind”

David Lightfoot (athlete): “So Sorry for your loss Brian. Your Dad was a great man who helped so many with his knowledge of athletics and in particular hurdles for us uncoordinated distance runners. Ian also selflessly volunteered for so many years. He will be greatly missed.”

Peter Hadfield (Olympian): “Brian, your dad gave so much to the athletics fraternity. His selfless contribution as an official for so many years is certainly appreciated. Sincere condolences to you and the family. Remember all of the great times that you had. Regards Haddy”