Wes came to Collingwood in the 1955-56 season after a number of placings in the field events in the South Australian Championships. He also gained bronze medals in the shot put at the National Titles in 1954, 1955 and 1956.

It was around the time of his shift to Victoria that he began looking to add the discus throw to his repertoire. Wes had some very pleasing early rewards, with a silver medal at the 1956 Australian Championships and a win in the Olympic trial in the same year.

There was a setback when it was noticed that Wes was still a citizen of Latvia! Apparently the Australian Government ‘rushed’ through his citizenship thus enabling him to take his place in the Australian team at the MCG.

Wes dominated discus throwing in Australia, winning the National Title in 57, 58 and 1959.

He retired from elite competition at the age of 27 after his second placing in the discus at the 1960 Australian Championships.

In the meantime Wes had been a very welcome addition to the Collingwood ranks, being a member of both of the Club’s A Grade Track Premierships in the mid to late 50s.

At one stage in his after Collingwood activities, Wes became Mine Host at the Builder’s Arms Hotel in Gertrude St. Fitzroy.

Wes also visited the (old) clubrooms one Monday night in the early seventies to demonstrate a new fangled piece of gymnasium equipment to the incumbent Committee. Now being a representative of the firm producing the gear, Wes was eager to make a sale.

Wes shifted away from the area and in later years joined the Williamstown Athletic Club, having some success in the Masters comps for a number of seasons.

Wes passed away in October 2020 at the age of 87.

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

1956

Olympic Games
Melbourne 20th – Discus – 44.24m

1957

Australian Championships
Open 1st – Discus – 45.24m
Open 3rd – Shot Put – 14.76m

Victorian Championships
Open 2nd – Shot Put – 14.30m
Open 1st – Discus – 45.91m

1958

Australian Championships
Open 1st – Discus – 46.18m
Open 2nd – Shot Put – 15.21m

Victorian Championships
Open 1st – Discus – 43.22m
Open 4th – Javelin – 52.51m

1959

Australian Championships
Open 1st – Discus – 48.16m
Open 3rd – Shot Put – 14.86m
Open 7th – Javelin – 44.64m

Victorian Championships
Open 1st – Shot Put – 14.78m
Open 1st – Discus – 45.81m
Open 7th – Javelin – 53.60m

Victorian Decathlon Championship – 10th – 4312 points
100m – 11.8 – 110m
Hurdles – 22.2
Long Jump – 5.50m
Discus – 45.40m
Shot Put – 15.02m
Pole Vault – 2.59m
High Jump – 1.37m
Javelin – 53:38m
400m – 57.6
1500m – 5:37.7

1960

Australian Championships
Open 2nd – Discus – 48.68m
Open 3rd – Shot Put – 14.94m

Victorian Championships
Open 2nd – Discus – 46.68m
Open 3rd – Shot Put – 13.92m
Open 11th – Javelin – 49.73m