Glenhuntly Athletics Club: home of Olympians and elite athletes turns 100

A celebrated athletics club with a host of top athletes — and an AFL superstar — among its ranks celebrates 100 years.

Glenhuntly Athletics Club premiership track and field athletes in 1922/23. Image: Glenhuntly Athletics Club

The Glenhuntly Athletics Club may be turning 100, but the cultural institution is anything but ageing.

Home to multiple Olympians, the club has a colourful history and a brimming a Hall of Fame waiting to be revealed to the public.

Max Binnington OAM, Australian Olympic hurdler, two-time Commonwealth Games medallist, and long-time coach and mentor, said the longevity of the club was down to the culture and community fostered by the members.

Olympic hurdler Max Binnington OAM. Image supplied by Glenhuntly Athletics Club.

“From the moment I made the decision to move to Melbourne, Glenhuntly looked after me,” he said.

“It is the culture of the club, that if anyone needs help, we help.”

Alongside the birthday celebrations, the club has put together a 343-page book with a complementary photo book, documenting the history of the club.

The book is something that centenary committee member Gerard Torpy, is proud of.

“This club gave me a chance to pass on a set of values that are often ignored in today’s society,” Mr Torpy said.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have our history documented, so that we can actually put this book together.”

The book boasts a significant number of photos and records of members and their achievements.

After returning from the 1965 Olympic Games, Ron Clarke ran a lap of honour at the MCG at half time during the 1965 VFL Preliminary Final between Essendon and Collingwood. Image: Glenhuntly Athletics Club

The Olympic roster at the club includes Ron Clarke, Olympic bronze medallist and two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Lawrie Peckham, an Olympic gold medal high jumper; alongside AFL legend and 1999 Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford.

“It’s one of those sports you can get into at any age,” Mr Binington said.

“In our squad, our youngest is 13 and our oldest is in their mid-60s. The sport is very flexible in that way, and I think that’s why people stay for as long as they do.”

Looking to the future, Mr Binnington is excited for the growth of the club.

Despite being a decorated athlete, he said he was inspired by the young runners coming up through their programs.

“Two of our junior runners have recently come back [from competition] as the national champions. They inspire us as coaches to keep doing what we are doing,” he said.

“This year we had the biggest number of registered juniors than we’ve had since the 1980s,” Mr Binnington added.

“I think that speaks to the future of the club and the sport really.”