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After winning 190 medals in the 12 previous Alice Springs Masters Games, Barbara Brooks decided to “come back to be in it” again.

The 78-year-old is still recovering from a car accident that prevented her from coming in 2010 – the only ASMG she has missed.

Barbara began swimming when she was 18 and made the Victorian team two years before being told two years later that she was too old.

“I swam faster times after that but it made no difference in those days,’’ she said.

“I had been to Tokyo for the Fina World Swimming Masters in 1984 and did the butterfly leg to break the world record with a time of 3:04.69.

“The Americans had swum the heat before and clocked 3:05 and I remember watching our time tick over until it stopped before their time.

“I came to the Alice Springs Masters, the first in Australia, and we closed 3:10 for the medley relay – a record that still stands.

“In 2008 I was in the same age-group as Dawn Fraser. I was nervous beforehand as I had swum against her a lot when I was younger.

“I won my only Australian title when she was sick and did not swim, but in 2008 I beat her for the gold.’’

Barbara has competed at many Masters events including Nationals since 1976, Australian and World Masters and other regional meets.

She has never counted medals from these events and has them stashed, with certificates, in her glory box. She does have her two World Swimming Masters plaques for records out on display.

Barbara has lifted her medal tally with three gold, two silver and three bronze medals this year.

She could have lifted her tally past the 200 mark but had to pull out of Athletics because it was too far away.

“I used to walk from the Swimming to Athletics and back for my events,’’ she said.

“I was going to do the throws but my accident stopped me from entering the jumps. I won my 100th medal in the high jump.

“There is no pressure to perform at these Games, not like the Worlds which can be a little scary –

but that is why you compete.

“I love visiting Alice Springs with the gum trees and the blue sky. I hope to be back in 2014, mainly to be back with all the people who are so friendly again.’’

Issue Eight Sunday 21 October 2012 - FREE

WEATHER FORECAST

Min Max

MON 18 39

Sunny and Cloudy. Extreme UV Index

TUE 19 40

Sunny. Extreme UV Index

WED 22 39

Sunny and Cloudy. Extreme UV Index

THU 18 32

Sunny and Cloudy. Extreme UV Index

WEATHER FORECAST

Weather Alert!With the temperatures soaring and an Extreme UV Index don’t forget to hydrate regularly and cover up to avoid heat distress.

Don’s golden journey to keep Aust beautiful

Come back again in 2014

Brooks back in the swim

Foot runs them ragged

There have been many success stories during the week but Don Chambers would be hard to beat.

He had the perfect return of 10 gold medals from as many events, setting five records along the way.

Don, from Rutherglen in Victoria, could have been excused if he did not make it to the Games as his wife died five weeks before they began.

“It was eerie in a way. My wife and I were travelling to Melbourne and she made me promise to keep competing,’’ he said.

“She told me I had to keep my mind

and body fit so I could keep doing the work I do.’’

Work such as the supermarket consulting business he formed with his wife Koompartoo, which means new beginnings.

He said there was a multitude of reasons why he kept competing in the Alice Springs Masters Games including the competitive urge and the camaraderie with friends he has made over the years.

Don set goals for himself and while winning gold, he was disappointed with his 400m time which was 10

seconds slower than he set himself.

“It is my fourth Alice Springs Masters and I was more organised this year after missing 2010,’’ Don said.

“That and my older age group (75-79) helped, although I did finish ahead of a few of the younger participants.

“ I have kept myself pretty fit and run for Australia in the World Masters Games.’’

He won the 100m, 200m and 400m runs, the long, high and triple jumps in addition to the javelin, discus, shot put and hammer throw. The records were in the two sprints, long and

triple jumps and the shot put.

This was all before he had to leave early to attend a meeting of the National Keep Australia Beautiful committee, of which he is chairman.

“I would have liked to stay longer but I had this commitment.

“After missing 2010, I arranged my schedule so I was in Darwin the week before the Games and then came to Alice.

“It has been my most successful Alice Masters and I will have to come back to defend my honour in 2014.’’

There is plenty of life in the Masters participants if last night’s Closing Ceremony was a guide.

There were almost 4000 sports registrations for the Games with people coming from all around Australia and overseas.

There were many multiple medal winners while others competed for no other reward than the experience shared with all their fellow competitors – they were in it and did it.

The participants all had fun making and renewing friendships which is what the Alice Springs Masters Games is all about.

Anzac Oval rocked as the final curtain came down on the 14th Alice Springs Masters Games.

There were tears from participants at the official end of the Games, as the Ambassadors waved their farewell – until two years time.

The night featured iconic Australian rock band ICEHOUSE and the support acts including a fireworks display.

NT Minister for Tourism and Major Events Matt Conlan, who also competed in the Games, officially closed the Games during the Ceremony.

“This event would not be possible without the dedicated and tireless efforts of staff and volunteers,’’ he said.

“I congratulate all participants for choosing sport to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

“The community’s involvement in this event has been outstanding and it is great to see that everybody supports the Games and the benefits it brings to Alice Springs.

“I look forward to seeing everybody again for the next Alice Springs Masters Games from 11-18 October 2014.”

Running’s Golden Girl Andrea Foot had two surprises at the end of the Masters Mile on Thursday.

The first was that she smashed the 2004 outright record by 19 seconds and the second was how popular the

event was with spectators lining the road at the finish.

cont. Page 4

Barbara Brooks with her swag of medals from the 2012 Games

Nicole Schemionek completed the Masters Mile in style on Thursday night

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Tales from the media centreThe Media Team was kept very busy with leads pouring in from our sporting contacts. Deb Page and Dale McIver were going head to head in the lead up to the Games. Lesley Newey showed early promise with Kirrily Whitehead soon building momentum.

A tight finish, but in the end we can’t go past the gorgeous Deb Page, who regularly supplied A-grade ‘Media Leads’ forms.

Our chief Journalist Steve Menzies has been involved in every Games since 1986 and has a passion for the town and its people.

“I was the sports editor at the local Centralian Advocate and was sent to report on the launch,’’ he said.

“Being a sports groupie and of Masters age, I was hooked and now I am a Masters addict.

“I have played Hockey, Basketball and Cricket and have reported on the Games – this has enabled me to meet some fantastic people who love their sport and quite a few who are superstars in their field.’’

One familiar face and voice at the

Games was Brian Webb, who provided radio crosses to regional stations around Australia. Brian has been involved with the Friendly Games since 2002 and has also been the MC for the Masters Mile and co-compere at the Opening Ceremony.

“It starts with researching the demographics of where the participants are coming from,’’ he said.

“I then contact the local regional radio stations to arrange live broadcasts including live interviews.

“Stations included Territory FM, CAAMA in Alice Springs, Riverland stations and Goulburn. The major problem is daylight savings in the southern states.

“Most of the live radio is breakfast and drive. Victorian stations like a 6am cross when it is 4.30am here, so I usually have to get athletes on their way home. Four of the five miles I have called have been with Dashing Daryl (Somers) but in 2010 it was the blind leading the blind with Murray Stewart as Daryl had to leave to tape his television show.

“It is always fun, as is the whole week.’’

One familiar face not at the Games is Les Garraway who is missing for the first time.

His place was taken by passionate sports identity John Boyle, who

mixed 8HA radio broadcasts with playing in four teams of

Basketball.

Our chatty first time photographer,

Jayne Winter, was at

times surprised at how pressured the Media Centre could be.

We would like to especially thank volunteer Kate Ganley, from Katherine. Kate wrote a number of quirky stories about the characters out at the various sporting venues.

A ‘Press Race’ was established to introduce an element of fun to the pressure of the daily deadline of the Friendly Times.

All was going well and we were smashing our time (by minutes)

each consecutive day, until our Graphic Designer, Sam Bondareff, worked

through a major computer breakdown.

A Games official offered some reassurance to the

shrinking Media staff member who had made a mistake in the Friendly Times: “you’ll be able to

put the job on your resume…… or your

tombstone.”

MEDIA TEAM

gamesstories

Don’t miss the 15th ASMG 11-18 October 2014

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The Friendly Times would like to acknowledge Chloe Erlich and Michael Potts for providing

photos during the Games week

Sleuth was out at the Casino pool and discovered the female Victorian Basketball Butterflies in a training session run by hall of fame Australian Karin McRobert.Karin threw the gold coin with the “swimmers” lined up on the wall, which caused a mad splash.Rumour has it there were more injuries in the pool than on the Basketball court.One swimmer was reprimanded for wearing goggles and another disqualified for cheating.

It appears everyone in Alice Springs has been caught up in the ambience of the Games.An Alice Springs Town Council parking inspector was spotted placing notes on car windscreens in and around the town’s centre.

The inspectors were wearing ‘The Friendly Games’ T-shirts.Only problem was that, on closer inspection, the notes were parking fines not best wishes.

Among the lost property found at the Tennis court has been women’s and men’s underwear – and they have not been claimed.Remember to check you have everything you came with before leaving. Check with your sport or the Information Booth at the Games Centre.

The Senoritas Netball team could be accused of faking injuries during the Games.Before one game, an ‘injured’ player was carried on to the court by a hunky young man so she could practise

shooting some goals.Next minute there were another five Senoritas rolling around ‘injured’ on the sidelines looking for similar support.

There could be a new discipline in Cycling in the 2014 Alice Springs Masters Games if Rome Olympian Geoff Smith has his way.He wants to introduce a tandem event, which he rode in the Olympics, but said the “back was the safest place to be’’ on the bike.Geoff is already planning to come back in 2014, with or without his tandem, as he has only missed one Games since 1988, when his father died two weeks beforehand, and only missed the first one because he did not know the Games existed.

Mike Heyburn proved that some commentators can actually perform the sport they talk about.He was the compere for the Cycling street sprint up until the moment he had to jump on his bike for the 200m dash.Having a close look at his fellow cyclists obviously inspired Mike as he smashed out a time of 15.27 seconds to win the gold in the 50-54 age group.

It was a case of mistaken identity when Alice Springs Town Council Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney was named as the town’s snake catcher (who is actually Rex Neindorf) during the week.But there was no mistaking his talent at the Table Tennis table when he won gold on Friday night.In a reversal of roles, Games Patron

Dawn Fraser was presented a silver medal to add to her collection after scoring 89 stableford points over 54 holes in the 75-79 age division of golfers.

We received a lovely letter from first timers Trish Deaker and Kerry Hutchinson of the Somerset Seahorses, WA. They congratulated Ambassador Edith Cox for her ‘awesome’ welcome to the “Friendliest Games in Australia”. Upon their arrival at the airport, Edith patiently took them under her wing and eased their uncertainties in terms of what to do and who to meet.

We have received a number of thank yous regarding volunteers, fellow athletes, Ambassadors and Sports Medicine and will place them on the website.

Don’t miss the 15th ASMG 11-18 October 2014

Benjamin Harris Kylie Maree Datson

Michelle Harris Chris Lacanau

We’d love yourFEEDBACK!Please complete our participant survey on the Games website

www.alicespringsmastersgames.com.au

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Top Aussie Meds spring to Alice’s aidThe Alice Springs Masters Games has played a leading role in the development of Sports and Exercise Medicine as a speciality around the world.

Sports Medicine was introduced to the Games in 1986 and has continued to evolve.

It has been headed from Day One by Dr Geoff Thompson and he was assisted in the inaugural Games by physiotherapist Gail Davies, receptionist Sandy Thompson and Sports Trainers Noel Harris and Kay Mines.

This year there are eight doctors, 12 physios and around 30 Sports Trainers.

“It takes 10 to 11 years training to become a Sports and Exercise Medicine specialist and five years to become a Sports Physio,’’ Dr Thompson said.

“It has become recognised as a speciality in its own right in Australia.

“Part of the training involves practical experience at events such as the Alice Springs Masters Games, Australian Masters or various Institutes of Sport.

“Doctors who have been at these Games include Sue White, who is now the head doctor with Swimming Australia, and the club doctors at AFL clubs Hawthorn, Collingwood and Geelong.

“It is a popular gig to come here and the selection process attempts to attain a good balance of qualified Sports Medicine doctors and some in training.

“Australia is a leader around the world in this area and the Alice Springs Masters Games is a good

training ground, and a leader in its own right within Australia.’’

Dr Thompson said the current facility was great and by tweaking the operations with experienced reception staff, they had managed to reduce waiting times.

He said there had been a big change in attitudes since the early days of the Sports Medicine Clinic but numbers and injuries that had been treated this year was par for the course.

“In the first Games the athletes had not heard of Sports Medicine,’’ Dr Thompson said.

“It has been an education process over the years.

“One of the big changes is that participants can get injured, have

it managed and they continue to compete.

“Our records show that 80 per cent of people seen at the clinic continue to compete.’’

Dr Thompson said there had not been a major issue with the heat.

That was largely because events took place in the mornings and, with the introduction of lights, more were being held at night.

There was a Sports Medicine team in place at the end of the Masters Mile with all runners assessed before they were allowed to be released.

Dr Thompson said this procedure was established as the runners tended to have a crack, sprint off, only to realise half-way through

that there was still a fair way to go, and this led to possible stress at the end.

It was easily managed and in most cases the runners were released soon after finishing.

Most of the Sports Trainers at the Games are volunteers from Alice Springs.

“Alice Springs would have the highest percentage per capita of Sports Trainers in Australia and this is because of the Games,’’ Dr Thompson said.

“Sports Medicine Australia (NT) run two Sports Medicine training courses in Alice Springs in the year before the Games.’’

Games participants know they are always in good hands.

“I was not aiming to break any record. I just ran to finish it as quickly as possible,’’ she said.

“I was following instructions and went out hard but was starting to feel it about half way.

“I did not think the Masters Mile was such a big event.’’

Andrea has shown a clean pair of heals to all the runners in the events she has contested – and has won a gold medal in mixed Touch.

Her time of 5 minutes 14.45 seconds was a new record for the 30-34 division as was her outright time, and was one of five new marks set by the women in the event.

Second-placed outright runner Cristine Suffolk shaved 13 seconds off the previous record for the 40-44 women, third outright Elizabeth Slattery cut 26 seconds from the 45-49 division, Judi Walsh shaved 15 seconds from the women’s 60-64 record and Ruth Johnson led two other runners under the 70-74 previous best when she shattered the record by one minute and 46 seconds.

Monica Osborne, 90 yrs, completed the run and was okay afterwards. She would not rule out coming back in 2014 – but said two years was a long time to predict ahead at her age.

Nicole Schemionek was one of the runners who provided a colourful contrast by completing the event in costume.

Eli Melky, who coaches Andrea, used the same tactics and made sure he got the jump on his rivals. He maintained his lead to the finish where he was a clear 13 seconds ahead of Michael Bodnar with Leigh Browell a further five seconds behind. All three won gold medals for their age group.

In a further endorsement to Andrea’s performance, Eli’s time was only five seconds quicker.

“I did what I had to do. It was a hard run which is a tribute to the other guys,” he said.

“Andrea’s run put a little more pressure on me and I was nervous at the start.

“Race fitness was an incredible factor in the event.

“I will be back to defend this win in two years. That is the plan.’’

Eli backed up his Mile effort with a win in the 10km run, followed by Pete Brady and Michael Bodnar, on Friday morning.

Cristine Suffolk won the women’s 10km outright by 14 seconds from Elizabeth Slattery.

There were 69 women and 48 men running the Masters Mile.

from Page 1

1986 Games Chairman Ray Norman with members of the inaugural Sports Medicine Team who were reunited at these Games. They are Cliff Smith, Dr Geoff Thompson, physiotherapist Gayle Davies and Sandy Thompson