Brian was another to join in Melbourne’s Olympic year. The difference with ‘Clarkie’ was that he had left it until the relatively ‘old ‘age of twenty-three to make a start with Collingwood.

There was definitely sport in the Clark Family as Brian’s father Harry had been a very good footballer playing 147 games with South Melbourne in the VFL. In fact Harry had been awarded the best player for his club in 1933, a year in which the Bloods won the League Premiership. Harry also played eleven times for Victoria.

Despite this late start to his career at the Magpies, Brian went onto be an integral part of the Club for many years. He was a part of the Club’s first A Grade Track Premiership and also went on to win the Club 5 mile Cross-Country Championship on three occasions.

Brian was also good enough to twice gain a third placing in the Victorian 1500 metres Championship in 1959 and 1960. His best time of 4:13.4 for the mile and 13:55 for 3 miles are a true indication of Brian’s worth to the Club. Always a fierce competitor, it is fair to say that Brian never took backward step, whatever the situation!

The Club also benefitted from Brian’s commitment off the track. He served on the committee for many years, was a delegated to the VAAA for a number of years and also filled the position of Social Secretary for a while.

Committee members of the day remember one night in the late sixties, when during the monthly meeting someone stuck his head through the door of the old clubrooms and yelled out some silly comment. Most of those present just looked at each other, but not Brian! He leapt from his seat and took off after the culprit who had disappeared into the night. The meeting continued as no one knew which way they had gone. Some ten minutes, later Brian arrived back at the rooms with a very sheepish youth in tow. Our president at the time, Bill Tunaley, suggested to the young gentleman that if he could keep one of our champions on the go for so long perhaps he should give athletics a go. It is fair to say there were no more interruptions (of that type anyway!!) at committee meetings from then on.

Brian still takes an active interest in Collingwood Harriers and is a very welcome participant in our Parade of Champions at the annual running of ‘The 5’.

July 2013

The following list includes the ‘known’ results, including State, Interstate, National and International events, of the nominated person.

The list does not include:

• the many summer events (Track/Interclub/Shield) that the person may have done
• the Club winter races
• relays

Some of these results can be found elsewhere on this website (see ‘results’)

The Club would be pleased to be notified of any extra information from members or athlete’s families with regard to corrections or additions to the lists.

Any further information to add to the history of the Collingwood Harriers would be very welcome.

Contact Steve Griffiths steveg@techinfo.com.au

1957

Victorian Championships
Open 25th – 10 Mile CCC – 59:54.0

1958

Victorian Championships
Open 19th – 5 Mile CCC – 27:55.0
Open 15th – 10 Mile CCC – 56:54.0
Open 10th – 10000m CCC – 37:24.0

1959

Victorian Championships
Open 3rd – 1500m – nt
Open 27th – 5 Mile CCC – 26:23.0
Open 12th – 10 Mile CCC – 56:37.0
Open 15th – 10000m CCC – 35:50.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 35:59.0
Open 10 Mile Road – 56:49.0

1960

Victorian Championships
Open 3rd – 1500m – nt
Open 7th – 6 Mile – 30:56.0
Open 11th – 5 Mile CCC – 29:31.0
Open 15th – 10 Mile CCC – 63:20.0
Open – 10000m CCC – 36:36.0
Open 14th – 15 Mile Road – 1:41:07.0

1961

Victorian Championships
Open 4th – 3 Mile – 15:00.4
Open 11th – 10 Mile CCC – 58:18.0
Open – 5 Mile CCC – 26:26.0
Open 14th – 10000m CCC – 34:53.0
Open 7th – 15 Mile Road – 85:23.0

1962

Collingwood 5 Mile Cross Country Champion

Victorian Championships
Open 7th – 3 Mile – 14:38.7
Open 9th – 6 Mile – 32:21.0
Open 14th – 5 Mile CCC – 27:29.0
Open 8th – 10000m CCC – 33:59.0
Open 5th – 10 Mile CCC – 50:03.0
Open 4th – 15 Mile Road – 86:58.0

1963

Victorian Championships
Open heat – 1 Mile – nt
Open 6th
heat – 3 Mile – 14:45.0
9th – final – 15:07.6
Open 22nd – 6 Mile – nt
Open 18th – 5 Mile CCC – 28:51.0
Open 15th – 10 Mile CCC – 56:32.0
Open 31st – 10000m CCC – 38:21.0
Open 22nd – 15 Mile Road – 1:30:56.0

1964

Collingwood 5 Mile Cross Country Champion

Victorian Championships
Open 16th – 6 Mile – nt
Open 8th – 5 Mile CCC – 25:28.0
Open 11th – 10 Mile CCC – 56:21.0
Open 20th – 10000m CCC – 36:13.0
Open 21st – 15 Mile Road – 82:39.0

1965

Victorian Championships
Open 13th – 3 Miles – 14:57.0
Open 22nd – 6 Miles – nt
Open 25th – 10000m CCC – 37:03.0
Open 13th – 5 Mile CCC – 28:20.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 34:03.0

South Australian Championships
Open 1st – 5 Mile CCC – 27:46.0

Brian’s Gold Medal from 1965 South Australian 5 Mile CCC

1966

Collingwood 5 Mile Cross Country Champion

Victorian Championships
Open 11th – 5 Mile CCC – 25:41.0
Open 9th – 10 Mile CCC – 55:39.0
Open 7th – 10000m CCC – 33:45.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 33:48.0

South Australian Championships
Open 12th – 5 Mile CCC – 29:55.0

Victorian Championships
Open 24th – 5 Mile CCC – 27:53.0
Open 106th – 10 mile CCC – 64:57.0
Open Frank Fergusson 10000m CC 34:52.0

South Australian Championships
Open 9th – 5 Mile CCC – 27:53.0

1968

Victorian Championships
Open 79th – 5 Mile CCC – 30:21.0
Open 79th – 10000m CCC – 34:55.0
Open 86th – 10 Mile Road – 57:50.0
Open 50th – 10 Mile CCC – 62:26.0

1969

Victorian Championships
Open 27th – 5000m CCC – 17:36.0
Open 150th – 5 Mile CCC – 30:51.0
Open 134th – 10000m CCC – 40:15.0
Open 117th – 10 Mile CCC – 70:08.0

South Australian Championships
Open 5 Mile CCC – 28:56.0