Christopher WALDRON and Janette CHAPMAN
John Crameri brought Chris Waldron along to the Laceby Cecil Handicap in April 1997.
Thus began a long association with our Club.
Chris has competed in every winter season since that time. There have been some intermittent appearances on the track during summer over the years, but it is fair to say that the longer distances of the winter fixture were certainly more to his liking.
Over the past few years the success of Chris’s business has sometimes restricted his involvement, but he is still a regular member of our winter squad.
Chris was good enough to win our Blue Ribbon Five Mile Cross-Country Championship in 2001 and in 2008 took out the Robert Hendy Winter Points Award, decided on points accrued during the season.
You don’t win that one if you haven’t been fully involved!
In 2018 Chris was made a Life Member of Collingwood Harriers in recognition of his service over his time with the Club.
In Chris’s own words, “I was extremely proud to achieve this milestone.”
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In 2004 Chris brought his partner Janette Chapman to that year’s running of the Laceby Cecil. Janette was a much needed member of our then fledgling women’s group of runners. Over the seasons Janette was often a member of successful overage teams and herself took out the Athletics Victoria points’ award for the 45-49 age group in the winter of 2008.
In 2001 Janette was successful in the Club Five and was also able to take home a Blue Ribbon. The home mantelpiece looked good that year with the two ribbons on show.
Janette repeated the dose in 2007 with another win around Yarra Bend.
In the same year, Janette also took out the Robert Hendy Winter Points Award – a testament to her commitment to the Club.
We have seen less of Janette over the past couple of seasons because of the Saturday school sporting requirements of children Elizabeth and David. David did have one season with us in the under 14s but has chosen another path since that time.
Janette served as Club Treasurer for six years 2002- 2008.
Janette and sister Alison, also a Collingwood Harrier, were for years, major contributors to the cross-country catering scheme then in operation. Usually volunteering for the Jells Park relays which involved quite a number of people, they raised lots of smiles when they wheeled their ‘goodies’ up to the club tent in a shopping trolley.
Both Janette and Chris noted that running for Collingwood Harriers is always fun, rewarding and enjoyable. It is a Club with a rich history, of which it is very proud.
…….and both are very proud to be a part of its story!
November 2018