Brian CLARKE
Brian was another to join in Melbourne’s Olympic year. The difference with ‘Clarkie’ was that he had left it until the relatively ‘old ‘age of twenty-three to make a start with Collingwood.
There was definitely sport in the Clark Family as Brian’s father Harry had been a very good footballer playing 147 games with South Melbourne in the VFL. In fact Harry had been awarded the best player for his club in 1933, a year in which the Bloods won the League Premiership. Harry also played eleven times for Victoria.
Despite this late start to his career at the Magpies, Brian went onto be an integral part of the Club for many years. He was a part of the Club’s first A Grade Track Premiership and also went on to win the Club 5 mile Cross-Country Championship on three occasions.
 |
 |
Brian was also good enough to twice gain a third placing in the Victorian 1500 metres Championship in 1959 and 1960. His best time of 4:13.4 for the mile and 13:55 for 3 miles are a true indication of Brian’s worth to the Club. Always a fierce competitor, it is fair to say that Brian never took backward step, whatever the situation!
The Club also benefitted from Brian’s commitment off the track. He served on the committee for many years, was a delegated to the VAAA for a number of years and also filled the position of Social Secretary for a while.
Committee members of the day remember one night in the late sixties, when during the monthly meeting someone stuck his head through the door of the old clubrooms and yelled out some silly comment. Most of those present just looked at each other, but not Brian! He leapt from his seat and took off after the culprit who had disappeared into the night. The meeting continued as no one knew which way they had gone. Some ten minutes, later Brian arrived back at the rooms with a very sheepish youth in tow. Our president at the time, Bill Tunaley, suggested to the young gentleman that if he could keep one of our champions on the go for so long perhaps he should give athletics a go. It is fair to say there were no more interruptions (of that type anyway!!) at committee meetings from then on.
Brian still takes an active interest in Collingwood Harriers and is a very welcome participant in our Parade of Champions at the annual running of ‘The 5’.
July 2013
The following list includes the ‘known’ results, including State, Interstate, National and International events, of the nominated person.
The list does not include:
* the many summer events (Track/Interclub/Shield) that the person may have done
* the Club winter races
* relays
Some of these results can be found elsewhere on this website (see ‘results’)
The Club would be pleased to be notified of any extra information from members or athlete’s families with regard to corrections or additions to the lists.
Any further information to add to the history of the Collingwood Harriers would be very welcome.
Contact Steve Griffiths steveg@techinfo.com.au
1957
Victorian Championships
Open 25th 10 Mile CCC 59:54.0
1958
Victorian Championships
Open 19th 5 Mile CCC 27:55.0
Open 15th 10 Mile CCC 56:54.0
Open 10th 10000m CCC 37:24.0
1959
Victorian Championships
Open 3rd 1500m nt
Open 27th 5 Mile CCC 26:23.0
Open 12th 10 Mile CCC 56:37.0
Open 15th 10000m CCC 35:50.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 35:59.0
Open 10 Mile Road 56:49.0
1960
Victorian Championships
Open 3rd 1500m nt
Open 7th 6 Mile 30:56.0
Open 11th 5 Mile CCC 29:31.0
Open 15th 10 Mile CCC 63:20.0
Open 10000m CCC 36:36.0
Open 14th 15 Mile Road 1:41:07.0
1961
Victorian Championships
Open 4th 3 Mile 15:00.4
Open 11th 10 Mile CCC 58:18.0
Open 5 Mile CCC 26:26.0
Open 14th 10000m CCC 34:53.0
Open 7th 15 Mile Road 85:23.0
1962
Collingwood 5 Mile Cross Country Champion
Victorian Championships
Open 7th 3 Mile 14:38.7
Open 9th 6 Mile 32:21.0
Open 14th 5 Mile CCC 27:29.0
Open 8th 10000m CCC 33:59.0
Open 5th 10 Mile CCC 50:03.0
Open 4th 15 Mile Road 86:58.0
1963
Victorian Championships
Open heat 1 Mile nt
Open 6th heat 3 Mile 14:45.0
9th final 15:07.6
Open 22nd 6 Mile nt
Open 18th 5 Mile CCC 28:51.0
Open 15th 10 Mile CCC 56:32.0
Open 31st 10000m CCC 38:21.0
Open 22nd 15 Mile Road 1:30:56.0
1964
Collingwood 5 Mile Cross Country Champion
Victorian Championships
Open 16th 6 Mile nt
Open 8th 5 Mile CCC 25:28.0
Open 11th 10 Mile CCC 56:21.0
Open 20th 10000m CCC 36:13.0
Open 21st 15 Mile Road 82:39.0
1965
Victorian Championships
Open 13th 3 Miles 14:57.0
Open 22nd 6 Miles nt
Open 25th 10000m CCC 37:03.0
Open 13th 5 Mile CCC 28:20.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 34:03.0
South Australian Championships
Open 1st 5 Mile CCC 27:46.0
Brian’s Gold Medal from 1965 South Australian 5 Mile CCC
1966
Collingwood 5 Mile Cross Country Champion
Victorian Championships
Open 11th 5 Mile CCC 25:41.0
Open 9th 10 Mile CCC 55:39.0
Open 7th 10000m CCC 33:45.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 33:48.0
South Australian Championships
Open 12th 5 Mile CCC 29:55.0
Victorian Championships
Open 24th 5 Mile CCC 27:53.0
Open 106th 10 mile CCC 64:57.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 34:52.0
South Australian Championships
Open 9th 5 Mile CCC 27:53.0
1968
Victorian Championships
Open 79th 5 Mile CCC 30:21.0
Open 79th 10000m CCC 34:55.0
Open 86th 10 Mile Road 57:50.0
Open 50th 10 Mile CCC 62:26.0
1969
Victorian Championships
Open 27th 5000m CCC 17:36.0
Open 150th 5 Mile CCC 30:51.0
Open 134th 10000m CCC 40:15.0
Open 117th 10 Mile CCC 70:08.0
South Australian Championships
Open 5 Mile CCC 28:56.0