Masters games honours fallen

More than 100 athletes took part in the biannual WA State Masters Games in Albany last weekend, attracting competitors from all around WA in athletics, rowing, croquet, the Fallen Comrades Cross Country and the Jim McCann Memorial Mile.

A total of 27 records were set in the athletics discipline across the two days of competition, highlighted by 81-year-old David Carr.

In a stellar meeting, Carr set six new records in the 100m, 200m, discus, javelin, shotput and the Fallen Comrades 6km Cross Country run — he picked up a gold medal in each of those events as well.

Albany’s Di Fry, Barbara Wilson Josie Kidman and Andrea Campbell, Denmark’s Erica Mercer, and Walpole’s Brenda Painter set a total of seven records between them in athletics.

Fry won a gold medal and set a new record in both the 3000m walk and Fallen Comrades 6km cross- country and also clinched silver in the Jim McCann Memorial Mile.

Held at the new venue of the Anzac Peace Park, the Jim McCann Memorial Mile was met with enthusiasm by competitors.

Perth’s Andrew Brooker was the first male across the line in 5min.31secs and Maxine Santich was the first female across the line in 7min.01secs.

Brenda McCann, widow of Jim McCann, was on hand to present the medals and later at the games function handed out cash prizes to the first three male and female winners based on their World Masters Athletics percentage.

The Fallen Comrades Cross Country Run on Sunday morning was well attended, with Santich the first female home in the 4km event and Burt Carse the first male across the line in the 4km.

In the 6km event, locals Campbell and Richard Dunn won the female and male categories respectively.

In the croquet, held at the Gomm Park Croquet Club, 88 games were played across the two days between 16 pairs.

Albany’s Gordon and Doreen Bradshaw won gold in the top four block, while Perth pair Bethwyn Johnson and Miles Harma won gold in the bottom four block.

Rowing was also held on the Kalgan River during the games.

Games vice-chairman Carey Dickason said the event, held every second year in Albany, was a great success.

“It was a very successful event,” Dickason said.

“The athletes that competed had a ball and are looking forward to the next one. The future of the event is looking pretty positive, the committee all look like they are going to continue on.”