The Vic Teacher’s Games last Sunday was another opportunity to showcase what an amazing club the Traralgon Harriers is, and what incredible people we have on committee and as ordinary members. The feedback received for what we do, how we organise an event, the inclusiveness and supportive welcomes, the well-oiled machine of professionalism, and the fun atmosphere created, both from the VTG management and from participants, was nothing but positive.
Huge thanks to Andrew Legge, Jason Odlum, Ron Verschuur, Giuseppe Marino, Trent Kooyman, Krissi Creighton, Kate Mayer, Yani Cornthwaite, Gary Fox, Clinton Jolly, Sam McGown, Jay McGown, Adrian Sutcliffe, Ree Graham, Collette Hoffman, and Dave Barr, for their time, skills and dedication to the club, and bringing this event to fruition. The Games are only in each regional location for 2 years, and then move on to other regions, so we probably won’t have them again for at least a decade.
Committee members are always busy with jobs which take the club forward, including writing funding applications and then acquitting them. Seeking funding for our events and for items such as a new timing clock or other equipment, is essential in the quest to make the club a functional organisation, and a great place for members. A huge thanks to our wonderful committee who represent the club and do a stack of work behind the scenes.
All members please check the Summer 2024/25 Duty Roster and the Season Run Calendar in this newsletter. Members who mark courses, younger members, newer members, those who do a lot of other jobs for the club, and those who are not regular Thursday runners, are generally excluded from the duty draw.
It’s important for the smooth organising of Thursday runs that those on duty make sure they show up, or organise someone to swap with, to cover them if they can’t attend for some reason. The onus is on you to make sure your allocated duty night is filled, so please mark your allocated date in your diary.
The previously advertised Newborough Track night scheduled for October has been postponed until further notice. Please check the Summer Run Schedule in this newsletter.
We’re down to the last 2 winter season runs and then we’re into the new Summer Season, longer days, warmer nights, and the trails for our Thursday runs. I know many are looking forward to getting off the roads and back to the bush trails and runs in our local amazing environments.
Tuesday Group will be getting back to the track with the changing to daylight savings, which is always welcomed. TTRG is such a great group of people, of varying abilities, all encouraging and supportive, and of course there are the laughs. I think many come along for the jokes more than the training. Tuesday Group is open to anyone, as is the weekend training session with Greg Semmler.
Our 3 big club weekend events to end the year, The Memorial Run (20 Oct), Boolarra (10 Nov) and King & Queen of the Mountain (1 Dec) are also coming around quickly. Make sure you put the dates in you diary. These events offer members, friends, and the wider community, different opportunities, environments and surfaces to run on, and are always wonderful experiences. We’ll also be looking for volunteers on the days, but hopefully most members will also be able to run.
Club running singlets are available to purchase, with all sizes in stock. If you want one please see or message Ann Bomers. Singlets cost the club $55 each (which is the cost to non-members). Continuing the policy of supporting and giving back to members, the cost to members is $40, which is a great subsidized rate, and yet another benefit of membership.
There are always so many things going on in our lives, not just running related of course. Everyone has a story, trials and tribulations they are going through. Members love hearing about each other’s achievements and adventures in running outside the club. Make sure you submit your stories, even if they’re just brief. It’s not just about beating your own drum; your stories are interesting, entertaining and you never know who you’ll be inspiring, so take the time to write and get your articles into the newsletter.
The club newsletter is an important communication medium, and most members use it as a place to get updates, information and share stories. Our NL editors work hard to ensure it’s engaging and informative, so don’t be shy to share. The editing team, led by Glenn Crawford, spend a lot of time and care putting the NL together, so shoot your articles, thoughts, photos, and running snippets through to [email protected]
*IMPORTANT Harriers Dates
20 Oct Memorial Run (RD Phill Mayer)
10 Nov Boolarra (RDs Kaye Livingstone & Molly Irvine)
1 Dec King & Queen of the Mountain (RD Ron Verschuur)
12 Club X’Mas Break-up, Novelty Run & Winter Presentations
19 Club X’Mas Lights Run Traralgon
Thought for the fortnight: Talent alone is overrated... perseverance, determination, hard work and grit are more important than talent alone!
Phill Mayer – President
*Duty Roster Summer 2024/25
REMEMBER: If you can’t fulfil your allocated duty, the onus is on you to swap with someone.
OCTOBER
10 Tania Whitehead & Danelle Wright
17 Stephen Renehan & Shay Lorenz
24 David Hood & Matthew Deppeler
31 Andrew Panayiotou & Claire Mcumber
NOVEMBER
7 Callie Cook & Sav Mavrofridis
14 Angelo Gaudiano & Shane Gavin
21 Kathy Quinn & Michelle Colwell
28 Bjorn Luzmann & Adrian Sutcliffe
DECEMBER
5 Adam Riddle & Samantha Riddle
12 X’Mas Break-up & Winter Presentation
19 X’Mas Lights Run
JANUARY
16 Megan Scott & Paul Smith
23 Stephen McLeod & Kylee Earl
30 Peter Fairbairn & Catherine Leonard
FEBRUARY
6 Darrel Cross & Alfred Warner
13 Angeline Snell & Geoff Francis
20 Elizabeth Kenney & Mandy Ellis
27 Maree Graham & Stacey Podmore
MARCH
6 Luke Witham & Timothy Graham
13 Collette Hofmann & Anja Norwood
20 Gay Cornthwaite & Owen Notting
27 Glenn Graham & Michelle Sawyer
APRIL
3 Newborough Track (volunteers please)