2002-2003
QMA 2003 Calendar
In previous years we had a calender!
Dean Baxter Photography
About
History
Over fifty years of masters athletics in Queensland.
The inaugural meeting to form the Queensland Veterans Athletics Club (QVAC) was held at Toowong on 24th September 1973. What began as a single meet at Lang Park with forty athletes has grown, across five decades, into Queensland's peak body for masters level track and field.
1973
Foundation
The inaugural meeting to form the Queensland Veterans Athletics Club (QVAC) was held at Toowong on 24th September, 1973. The elected President was Jack Cook who remained in that position until his death in 1984. The first competition of the club was held a month later at Lang Park on Sunday 21st October with forty athletes in attendance. The events held were 60m, 100m, 800m, 800m Walk, Long Jump and Shot Put. Initially competition was held monthly and eventually fortnightly.
1974
Age Groups Established
M30, M35 and W30 were known as Pre-Veterans as the world body only catered for M40+ and W35+. Initially the age groups were M40-49, M50-59 and M60+.
1975
A Call for Equality
In 1975, Heather Doherty approached the Club to allow women to compete. Heather Doherty was approached to form a Women's Committee within the QVAC. Heather declined as she believed "[a]ll veteran athletes (male and female) should be equal and should work together as a united force".
Several members attended the first World Masters Championships, held in Toronto, Canada.
1976
Women Join as Associate Members
The Constitution was amended to permit women as Associate Members and to allow them to compete in a limited number of events. The club conducted the Australian Veterans Championships.
1977/78
Full Membership for Women
Women became Official Members, competing and setting Queensland Records. Women's Australian Records were recognised commencing from 1st January 1978.
1979
First National Titles for Queensland Women
Queensland women competed in Australian Titles officially for the first time in Sydney. Four women, Heather Doherty, Aileen Hogan, Laurel Frawley and Maida Toner, won 10 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals, setting Queensland and Australian Records.
Former professional runners were allowed to compete.
1980
Professional Runners Welcomed
All masters aged professional runners allowed to join as members.
1984
Heather Doherty Elected President
Heather Doherty was elected President and remained in that position until 1998.
1985
Gold Coast Veterans' Championships
On Australia Day, Daphne and Mick Pirie successfully conducted a Gold Coast Veterans' Championships, and this competition was continued for several years.
1988
Incorporation
The Queensland Veterans Athletic Club becomes incorporated. Australian Veterans Athletics Championships held in Brisbane.
1991
First Social Function
The first social function conducted by the club.
1992
Club Trophies Introduced
The introduction of club trophies and the first end of season dinner dance.
1995
Townsville Championships
Australian Veterans Athletics Championships held in Townsville in conjunction with the PanPac Masters Games. Queensland were asked to conduct the championships when another state had to withdraw from organising the competition.
1997
Gold Coast Masters Club Formed
The Gold Coast Masters Club was officially formed.
1998
A New Name
The Club's name changed to the Queensland Masters Athletics Association, and it was the first veterans club to do so in Australia. The National Championships were held in Brisbane.
2001
World Championships Come to Brisbane
The World Masters Athletics Championships came to Brisbane, using both tracks at the QSAC and the Qld University St Lucia track.
2005
Australian Championships in Brisbane
Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Brisbane.
2008
Regions Established
The constitution changed to accommodate regions within the state.
2009
A World President, and a Centenarian
Club member Stan Perkins is elected as President of World Masters Athletics, a position he held for the following nine years.
Eldest female member, Ruth Frith, reaches 100 years and now holds world records from W80 through to W100.
2011
Australian Championships in Brisbane
Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Brisbane.
2020
Covid Disruption
The Australian Championships to be organised by QMA were cancelled due to the spread of Covid. Then the 2021 championships were not held as the country was slowly recovering from the shut down from Covid.
2022
Australian Championships Go Ahead
QMA were asked if they would conduct the Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Brisbane to take advantage of their planning for 2020. These championships went ahead.
2023
Fifty Years
Qld Masters celebrates 50 years.
Photograph archive
Collections given to QMA by members and their families. If you can name a face or a date we have missed, we would like to hear from you.
Want to read more? See the 50th Anniversary QMA Magazine, edited by Kevin Ryall.
For the national picture, see Age is no Barrier: A History of Masters/Veterans Athletics in Australia by Bryan Thomas, provided via the Australian Masters Athletics website.
Timeline compiled with thanks to Wilma. Comments, photos, and additions welcome: