Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 65

Described as a ‘devoted servant’ of athletics at both
state and national levels, Bruce Wilson (’62) has been
awarded honorary life membership of Athletics Australia.
The award was made at Athletics Australia’s 2019 annual
general meeting, held in Melbourne on 25 October.
Bruce had previously been awarded the organisation’s
Gold Service Award, recognising 30 years of quality
commitment to athletics.
In the citation for his honorary life membership,
Athletics Australia said Bruce has continued his
involvement in athletics in a ‘myriad ways’, including as an
enthusiastic masters athlete.
The organisation said Bruce began his involvement
in athletics in Western Australia in 1980. ‘The geographic
isolation of his state from the rest of the national activity
in athletics meant that the sport nationally relied heavily
on committed individuals based in WA for several key
reasons. Almost from the beginning of his involvement
Bruce was prepared to take on such roles.
‘Bruce quickly came to understand the requirements
for valid recognition of all competitions and what was
expected in the staging of national and international
competitions. He also made sure this applied to state
competitions. Bruce was key to the conduct of the
National Grand Prix Circuit throughout the 1990s ...
[But] it was not only in event management that Bruce
has made his mark – also being a highly qualified and
committed technical official.’
Bruce served as a field judge at the 2000 Sydney
Paralympics and as a track umpire for the International
Association of Athletics Federations’ Grand Prix Final in
Melbourne in 2001.
While at Scotch Bruce was a leading member of the
Athletics team, and was a member of Scotch’s winning
1962 APS Athletics 4 x 880 yards relay team. Bruce
was also an excellent student – he was Dux of Scotch
in 1962. After leaving school, Bruce ran with the Old
Scotch Athletics Club, but he has spent most of the time
since university living, working – and running – interstate.
However, when visiting family in Melbourne he always
manages to fit in a run with the Old Scotch Athletics Club.
‘DEVOTED SERVANT’
HONOURED
BY ATHLETICS
AUSTRALIA
BRUCE WILSON (’62)
HAS CONTINUED
HIS INVOLVEMENT
IN ATHLETCS IN A
‘MYRIAD WAYS’
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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