THE Mount Isa Athletics season started on a positive note with two long-time members and athletics addicts Ken and Sharon Dickson being honoured with Life Memberships to the Mount Isa club.
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The Dicksons embody the Athletics North Queensland and Mount Isa Athletics motto of ‘Athletics for life’ Kath and Tony Hujanen nominated the Dicksons for their life membership at the recent AGM and said the pair had been a huge part and the backbone of the Mount Isa Athletics.
The pair started their athletics journey back at the Sarina athletics club in 2002, when as most parents do, involved themselves through their daughter Nicole. They then moved to Mount Isa in 2008 and immediately immersed themselves into the Isa club.
Both were already qualified coaches and officials and their presence was quickly noticed and appreciated as the club was hitting a major transitional phase back to an all-inclusive ANQ club.
In their time so far at the club they’ve held no less than 10 different committee positions as well as officiating on club days and at competitions. You’d think that might be enough but no, both of them compete and coach and travel to away competitions more than anyone else at the club.
When asked about the nomination, club member David Scott said no one else commits the time the Dicksons do.
“There is no one else I know of in the whole ANQ Athletics community that does what they do or commits as much time as they do, they really do Live & Breathe Athletics,” he said.
“Just to highlight some of the things Ken does in his ‘spare time’ here is a list of some of what he sees to: website admin, facebook admin, records controller for Isa and ANQ, Home Gym sessions for the teens, Public Relations, Media articles, ‘How to’ videos, equipment and facility repairs, club handbook, Photo DVD’s, club info backup, athlete development, equipment set-up and pack-up as well as the usual coaching, officiating and organising local competitions”
Ken and Sharon were both humbled by the presentation of their plaques.
Sharon said it was lovely to receive recognition for all the work the pair had put in over the years.
“Nobody ever takes on these jobs for praise, you do it to make the experiences for the kids (that includes the big kids like Ken and Dave) positive ones. To get a pat on the back, that just makes it a whole lot better,” she said.
“I’ve actually got to give Sharon an added mention here.” Ken said.
“Athletics has always been my sport and Sharon has been along for the ride. To keep working, helping and travelling for what will be 17 seasons now is a testament to her character. Mind you she does like the travel part.
“I did joke at the meeting that now that I have the full set (Life Memberships to ANQ, Sarina and Isa) I can retire. While it was just said for a laugh, it is time to back off and let the next generation take control. So hopefully by the end of this season our succession plan has taken hold and all of our new committee members and volunteers are up to speed.
“This will be Sharon’s last season and I am hoping to just train, compete, volunteer and be a mentor to the new coaches into 2019.”