NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK | 168 years of service recognised at the St George Club’s Centenary Celebrations

An estimated 2.9 million Australians volunteer their effort to sport and physical activity each year. From our officials at the photo finish camera, to many of our coaches at all levels of our sport, volunteers make up the backbone of the Australian Community.

In time for National Volunteers Week, three of our very own celebrate their own milestone; 168 years of combined service to St George Athletics Club (NSW) and Athletics Australia’s highest recognition for club administration, the Platinum Service Award for more than 40 years of service.  

Ron Gribble

Ron Gribble has been a member of St George for 65 years. Ron was a distance runner, specialising in marathon where he earned many State medals. His best time was 2:26 in the marathon – run in 1973 - no super shoes in his day.

His first involvement in administration commenced in 1963 as Distance Captain and selector. By 1970 he was on the Executive Committee where he contributed for 24 years. He has served in other key positions, President for 5 years in the ‘90s and Vice President for 14 years. For the last 18 years we have been fortunate to have Ron as the club patron. He continues in that role today.

Ron has served the club in 20 different volunteer roles for six decades. An amazing lifetime of volunteer service.

Alan Staples

Alan Staples joined St George in 1960 as an 11-year-old. He was destined to do athletics as the grandson of NSW’s third Olympian Stuart Poulter who ran the marathon at the 1912 Olympics.

In his teens Alan competed in sprints and jumps as well as distance events. Eventually he settled on endurance running and after recording a marathon best of 2:38 in the ‘70s graduated to Ultra running including 48 hour events.

His journey in club administration commenced in 1970 as a club handicapper, but by 1973 he was an Executive Committee Member. He remains on the Executive Committee to this very day – 44 years. Alan has also been a Vice President for 36 years. In the ‘80s Alan was also the club secretary.

For over five decades, Alan Staples has given extraordinary volunteer service to the St George club.

Dennis Jolliffe

Dennis Jolliffe joined St George in 1951 as a 14-year-old. He was a very talented jumper with performances that would stand up today. His best event was the triple jump, leaping a best of 14.59m and winning 1959 NSW State title. Using the old scissors style in high jump, as in that era they landed on sand or sawdust, he cleared a best of 1.78m. He competed in athletics while working full time for the ATO and four nights per week attending lecturers for an Economics degree.

His volunteer journey with the club started in 1956 as Track Vice Captain and within a few years in various other roles including uniform steward, track captain and social committee member.

In 1964, aged 26, and now completed his university degree, Dennis commenced in two key roles in the club, Treasurer and Executive Committee member for an remarkable 49 years. He was a Vice President for 33 years.

For 57 years, Dennis Jolliffe has given extraordinary volunteer service to the St George club.

National Volunteers Week is an annual celebration organised by Volunteering Australia, to acknowledge the contribution offered by more than six million Australians who give their time to help communities across the country. 

According to Sport Australia’s AusPlay, almost 150,000 people volunteer their time to Athletics across Australia.

By David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW and Athletics Australia