• Footscray, Yarraville, Braybrook Star

By Charlene Gatt

26th January 2010 11:05:18 AM

 Purchase this photo from Star Photos

---

SHE’S dedicated 64 years of her life to athletics and was part of the 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay.

Today, West Footscray resident Phyllis Andersson can add the initials OAM to her name after being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division.

Ms Andersson’s passion for athletics first began when she joined the Collingwood Women’s Amateur Athletics Club in the 1935/36 track and field season aged 15.

A keen sprinter, the teen soon developed an affinity for high jump, where she achieved a personal best jump of four foot seven inches (about 143 centimetres).

Her standout track moment didn’t come until the 1938/39 season, when she beat Australian representative Irene Talbot in a 100-yard exhibition run at the Showgrounds.

Ms Andersson bowed out from competing in 1945, but returned the next year as a full-time field official, and has enjoyed countless roles since, including timekeeper, state selector, manager of the Victorian Women’s team and vice president of Athletics Victoria.

She was also chief judge for shot put in the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and was the chief field judge for Western Athletics, a seniors athletics club with athletes from Footscray, Sunshine and Werribee, until last year.

In 2008, she was inducted as a life member of Athletics Australia.

“I like athletics, and you’re among young people and you get to hear their take on things,” she said.

The Medal of the Order of Australia is awarded to people for their achievements and service in a particular field.

The medals are awarded each year on Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday public holiday.

Seddon resident Robert Klemm will also be recognised today with a Public Service Medal for his work as an educator and mentor in the disability sector.

Mr Klemm, who is the assistant principal of Rosamond Special School, has coached two sporting teams for young people with additional learning needs for the past 16 years.

Mr Klemm and Ms Andersson will receive their respective medals at a function at Government House later this year.

---

Popular Stories