Athletics Tasmania Life Membership awarded to Mike Gunson

Mike Gunson has been awarded life membership of Athletics Tasmania at the 2021-2022 Athletics Tasmania Annual General Meeting.
Mike has given effective and devoted service to athletics in Tasmania over more than 20 years – much of it is specifically in the service of the state body itself.

At the state level, he was a member of the AT board from 2012 to 2018, serving as AT President from 2014-2017. Through Mike’s services (in collaboration with Kev Morse), AT was able to revive a well-received regular state rankings system from 2008 and was one of AT’s honorary statisticians from then until 2016.

Mike has made sure that northwest athletics has a sound base – with probably the best adult athlete registration numbers in the state. He has encouraged athletes to take on club administration roles, officiate when not competing, and very much so at outside events like school meets and to be role models for the next group coming along.
Whilst serving in state roles such as chair of selectors and as AT President, Mike made sure that he identified others to succeed him and prepare them for such roles.

He mentored a then (and still) young athlete Brandon Clark to take over his role in compiling Tasmanian rankings – and Aaron Humphrey and Nathan Morey to take over as chairs of selectors. In coaching, Mike mentors others to coach but in his own right has directly guided many athletes to state and national championship success, state and national team membership and in Deon Kenzie’s case, to a WPA world championship and other WPA and Paralympic podium placings.

He has been acknowledged with the AT Presidents Award in 2009 and the AA bronze and silver service pins.

Other Awards Recipient from the Annual General Meeting

Merit Award Recipients

The following individuals have been presented with Merit Awards recognising their outstanding service and contribution to athletics in Tasmania.

Phil Clayton
Mathew Brooks
Lyn Saint John
Karen Gibson and
Kevin Morse

Special Award - Rob Shaw

Initially as a sports reporter and since 2015 as sports editor of The Launceston Examiner Rob, has delivered or ensured extraordinary coverage of the sport of athletics in Tasmania – its extent surely the envy of every other athletics community around the country.
Even though athletics was not one of "his sports," initially, he has become a dedicated and knowledgeable fan and supporter.
Similarly with our events – whether state championships, TAL carnivals or mass participation. Or out of stadium events or meets of national significance held here. Visiting officials, athletes, and their support crews are nearly always in awe of the coverage in the print and online editions of The Examiner – and it's due mainly to Rob's work or his team's encouragement to pursue it.
Rob also served as a member of the AT Athlete of the Year Awards selection panel whenever asked to do so.

Official presentations of awards will be made in the upcoming months. Congratulations.