Mackay Athletics Club’s Track and Field Carnival for 2022

An 82-year-old athlete gave up his beloved field events 20 years ago but he returned to the sport when his grandson got involved and on the weekend even broke a record.

At age 82, Anthony Galea was the oldest on the track at Mackay Athletics Club’s Track and Field Carnival.

A specialist in the throwing events, in particular the javelin and the shot put, Galea began in the sport at 40 years of age.

He gave it away aged 60 but returned 20 years later, when his son Kevin and grandson James caught the throwing gene.

“That doesn’t mean I’m any good at it, it just means I like doing it,” Anthony Galea said.

James, Anthony and Kevin Galea at Mackay Athletics Club's Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

A modest Galea was one of a long list of Mackay club athletes who broke records over the carnival weekend, his in the Masters javelin event.

He was quick to push the spotlight away from him and towards his grandson James, who was first in the Under-18s for shot put, discus, hammer throw and javelin.

Braxten Boulton, Ezekiel Harrington and Brodie Lamb in the Under-7 boys 100 metre sprint at Mackay Athletics Club’s Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

The more than 300 competitors that hit the track on Saturday wanes in comparison to the Oceania Athletics Championships Mackay will host next month.

The event is expected to draw more than 1000 athletes from upwards of 20 countries.

Athletics North Queensland has recently put the callout to the community for volunteers.

Kaitlin Bitossi in the shot put at Mackay Athletics Club's Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

Elizabeth Horne in the high jump at Mackay Athletics Club's Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

Anthony Porter in the high jump at Mackay Athletics Club's Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

Tiana Kopittke in the shot put at Mackay Athletics Club's Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

Hayley Colless preparing for the 400 metre at Mackay Athletics Club's Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

Elizabeth Lee in the high jump at Mackay Athletics Club's Track and Field Carnival 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.