VALES Brian Dibben and Graham Taylor

19 May 2020

VALES Brian Dibben and Graham Taylor

VALE Brian Dibben

Athletics NSW life member Brian Dibben has sadly passed away aged 88. During his long service with athletics in NSW Brian volunteered in administration at all levels from club to zone and state with Athletics NSW.

Dibben joined Fairfield Athletics Club in 1968 and for the first 10 years served as Secretary and then President. In the ‘70s and ‘80s Zone competitions were vibrant across Sydney and Dibben was the backbone of Western Zone, as secretary from 1970 to 1973 and competition manager for four years.

After just three years in the sport, Dibben commenced his extensive service with Athletics NSW. From 1971 until 1993 he was on the Athletics NSW Board (in the ‘70s it was titled Executive Committee). He was also chairman for seven years (but not President).

Dibben’s many other positions included Records Officer, delegate to the Olympic Council, Trustee, Special Awards Committee (24 years) and Finance Committee member. He wound down his service in 1999, after 31 years in athletics, including 28 years with Athletics NSW.

At Athletics NSW competitions he was an assistant manager, ground manager, timekeeper and convenor of officials.

He also officiated internationally at the 1977 Pacific Conference Games in Canberra as a photo finish referee.

He recalled his highlights as the amalgamation of the men’s and women’s associations and Chairing the Centenary Board Meeting.

A hard working, dedicated and passionate volunteer, he was awarded Athletics NSW life membership and was a merit award winner.

Dibben, who lived in Smithfield in Sydney, retired to Raymond Terrace 20 years ago where he lived with wife Betty until he died last Sunday (10 May 2020) aged 88.
 

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

VALE Graham Taylor

Many across the NSW distance running community are morning the loss of the popular friend Graham Taylor. Preferred to be known as GT, Graham Taylor was closely involved with three institutions of athletics in NSW, Parramatta Park Runners, West Metropolitan Cross Country and Asics Wests Athletics club.

He first appeared in athletics competitions in the ‘50s in the black and white of Western Suburbs Athletics Club. At the 1954 Novice Cross Country championships an emerging Abie Thomas won, with Taylor in sixth place. In 1957 he was third in the inaugural West Metropolitan Cross Country Championships conducted at Fairfield. In second was Graham Kent who would become a life long friend.

In 1968 Taylor, along with Tony Burns, Frank Riley, Brian Sharp and Henry Gorton, founded Parramatta Park Runners who would meet regularly on Fridays for a jog. For the next 51 years he joined this group for a social run, his last appearance was on 21 February 2020. A keen record keeper, Taylor attended on 1879 occasions, which is 266 more than the second highest member John Storey.

Taylor served an unofficial President of the Parramatta Park Runners on a couple of occasions. He retired as President in October 2012 when his friend and colleague, Phil Mallitt retired as handicapper.

On 23rd January, 2015 GT clocked up another two kilometres to take his total lifetime running miles to 70,000 miles. Those who knew GT know that he recorded every run he completed, good or bad.

Taylor’s involvement with Western Suburbs athletics club was just as substantial. From the ‘50s until the ‘70s he was a regular on the track and on the road and over cross country for the club. He won countless state medals as a member of the strong Wests team. He ran at least five marathons in the ‘60s and ‘70s and was still running NSW Championships for Wests into the late ‘90s. He also competed in Masters championships and is the clubs first ultra long distance athlete, completing a 133 mile run from Greystances to Callala Beach on the South Coast in 1972. He approached work mates and friends at the Cumberland Golf Club to sponsor him and donate per mile with the money raised for the Western Suburbs clubhouse fund. He completed the distance in 23 hours 41 minutes and raised in the vicinity of $400.

A strong club supporter, in the ‘70s Taylor would host the end of winter season barbecue at his home.

In 2002/03, another milestone was reached by GT with 50 years continuous membership of Wests Club. GT had the distinction of being the longest serving distance runner in the club and for many years he was a member of the Club’s Executive Committee in his capacity of Cross Country Secretary. He became the fourth member to reach 50 years continuous membership.

He was on the organising committee for the clubs’ 100th anniversary and assisted with the club history reviewing portions of the publication.

In 1979 he was made a life member of Western Suburbs.

When at the height of his running form he participated in the Olympic Torch Relay for the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.

He was a fierce competitor on the track or trail but after the race everyone found him to be friendly, helpful and welcoming. A real gentleman.

He is very well loved and widely respected. He will be long remembered. May he Rest in Peace.

Dennis Williams and David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Images: Graham Taylor (courtesy of Dennis Williams)