Peter Burke is our Coles Athletics Community Hero

This week Athletics Australia will celebrate National Volunteer Week by honouring the winners of the Coles Athletics Community Hero Awards.

Designed in collaboration with Coles, the Awards bring the unsung heroes of the Australian athletics community into the spotlight, focusing on the central role they play from the grassroots levels all the way through to the elite. 

Winners from each state and territory will be announced by state federations this week, but not before we recognise the national winner, Victorian Peter Burke, who has dedicated his life to the track.

Coaching more than 1000 athletes for more than sixty years, Burke has shown tireless commitment to the development of his athletes and athletics.  

Starting his career in the sport as an athlete at Essendon Athletic Club in the 1950s and 60s, Burke has been instrumental to changing the shape of athletics in Victoria. He lobbied for the merger of Victoria’s men’s and women’s governing bodies and guided the merger of Werribee, Footscray and Sunshine into Western Athletics.

Still contributing to the sport today at the age of 80, he is a club coach and has been a selector for 50 years, and is currently on the Athletics Victoria Awards Committee and Athletics Victoria Trust Fund, all without financial reward. 

Garnering nearly a quarter of all votes in Victoria to be shortlisted for the national award, Burke said he was honoured to be recognised for his efforts.  

“I’m pretty chuffed to have won the Coles Athletics Community Hero Award,” he said.

“It’s a lovely surprise. I think it’s really great that the community volunteers are recognised when there are so many people involved in athletics, and I think it’s great that people who do a lot of work in the grassroots space are recognised too.”

Western Athletics President who nominated Burke said he is more than a coach to many within the community.

“Burkie epitomises people who are the backbone of our sport. He invests 12 months of the year in track and field, he’s had success with all abilities and in all disciplines and he is for strong club culture in Western Athletics.

“Burkie is a careful listener, he’s thoughtful and he’s adaptive and supportive. He’s a life coach for athletes and parents, and a mentor for coaches. We’re lucky he gives his time so freely and he’s held in the highest regard for athletes, parents and peers.”

Burke was one of more than 1400 nominations for the Coles Athletics Community Hero Awards. 

Follow Athletics Australia and its members throughout the week to meet more of the volunteers who make a difference in the lives of others through their unwavering support of the sport. 

Posted: 17/5/2021