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.

c_bclarke_1500cert_Mar1959 c_bclarke_1500cert_Mar1960

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