VALE Don Brodie OAM

23 February 2025

VALE Don Brodie OAM

Last week the athletics community lost one of its much loved and longest serving volunteers, when Don Brodie passed away aged 96. Don’s enormous contribution to the sport, largely with Western Suburbs Athletics Club, was a seven-decade involvement in administration and coaching at the club that continued as recently as 2013 when he was President while in his 80s.

In the early years Don combined his successful career as a middle-distance runner and hurdler as the Club’s Social Secretary. Before the days of sponsorship, social events were a way clubs derived income. At just 32, in 1961 his contribution to the club was recognised with Life Membership of Wests. He continued to have significant roles as manager of their weekly club competition, ground manager, member of the organising committee for the Western Suburbs Schoolboys Cross-Country Championships and Western Suburbs Schoolboys Athletics Championships. He was also involved in organising the Central Zone competition for clubs in the area, held on most Friday nights during summer.

He also coached extensively, from the youngest club athlete to the elite. They included being the foundation coach of two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold medallist Jane Jamieson. He also coached NSW’s first women’s mile champion Beth Stanford. Others included Sue Henry, Judy Knight and Michael Aiken, all National junior medallists, along with Australian U16 100/200 champion Glen Spoors.

A great club man, he competed in every event from 100 yards to 10 miles, including cross country, steeplechase and hurdles. He noted: “My main events were 800 metres and 400m hurdles with PBs of 1:58 and 57.1,” he wrote.

An undoubted running career highlight was when his Wests club 4x880 yards relay team broke the NSW record and Australian club records in a time of 7:44.4.

He ran into his masters years competing at two International Veterans meets in 1972 in London and Cologne, then in 1975 at the inaugural World Veteran Championships (later knows as Masters), in Toronto Canada. At those championships he won a bronze medal in the 45-years 400m hurdles. Prior to the championships he won medals in both hurdles at the USA Veterans Championships. In the 400 metre hurdles he set a world best for 42-year-olds and his Australian best for 45-year-olds lasted 10 years.

He spoke about his career highlights in 1999: “The 880 yards relay record, taking part in the Olympic torch relay in 1956 and representing Australian at veteran international meets and championships,” he said.

After a very long career, he retired from competing, noting the reasons: “Wear and tear and loss of enthusiasm after competing for 41 years.”

Such was his significant contribution with the club a special dinner for his 50th anniversary was held in 1995. Also in 1995 he was made a Life Members of Athletics NSW as he had held many positions including State Selector, State Team Manager and a technical official (starter). In 1997 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). His service continued when in 2004 he was elected President of Western Suburbs, a position he held until 2013.

He also enjoyed playing other sports, including baseball during the winter months from 1948 to 1956.

It seemed anytime I would go to Wyatt Park athletics track Don, was there, either coaching or walking his dogs around the oval. In the years before Sydney Olympic Park Homebush, Wyatt Park was the primary venue in the entire area, and Don ensured we had a facility to train at any time of the day. Often also his wife, Elvina, would be there running the canteen to raise club funds.

Don was a stalwart of the Western Suburbs Athletics Club, one of NSW and Australia’s leading clubs. His contribution in coaching, providing training opportunities and organisation of competitions and club teams was immense, and positively impacted thousands of people.

Don passed away on Monday 17 February 2025 and his funeral will be held on Friday 28 February at 2.30pm at Rookwood cemetery.

RIP Don Brodie

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Images Don Brodie – far left in the relay team.