Michael Forde wins Browns Sheffield in 1960.....

Michael Forde

​Annual sports days around the provinces were very popular back in the day.  Amateur and professional running, clay bird shooting, bushcraft, cycling and highland dancing were just a few events that were held.  In 1960 the Browns Athletic Society's 62nd annual sports meeting after the 1959 meet was cancelled.
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There was a crowd of approx 1500 sunning themselves and picnicking on the banks outside the ring.  
Some excellent performances were had, but there were shortages in some fields.
The bushcraft events were without the northern visitors - the Reid and Fluerty Brothers and Jim Hunt.  
Highlights in the running was the performance of W. Chamberlain in the 100 yards.
Chamberlain is a 20 year old English immigrant who had been in New Zealand for only nine months.  He was an Oreti farmhand.
Peter Larsen found form after nearly three years off from professional sprinting, he managed second in the 75 yards behind Michael Forde.
Ngaire Millar of Riversdale won both the women's 75 and 100 yards.
Marion Oliver found her handicap too great in the 75 yards.
Mick Carran was the most successful bushman.  A 20 year old from Pourakino Valley, had won in points in 1959 and in this season was well out in front.
Sawing in partnership with his brother Tony, there was only twice that he was not placed.
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Some of the competitors that competed that day were:
Cycling -
​Graham Sycamore, Ray Alcock, John Holloway, D. Ricki, P. Hilston, M. McLeay, J. Greener, G. Murphy, Ray Marshall, P. McCallum, P. Swain, D. Coates, Grant Cousins, D. McDermott, Tony Ineson, G. Hemmingston, S. McKenzie, I Booth, I. Browne, P. MCallum.  

Bushcraft -
T. Carran, Frank Templer, G. McLennan, J. Hewitson, Mick Carran, L. Carran, G. Harvey, C. Donaldson, G. Sutherland, G. McLennan, G. Harvey, R. Monteath, S. Donnelly, T. Lee, 

Clay Bird Shooting -
R. Tippett, G. Hammond, G. Allen, D. Wilson, A. C. Robinson, C. W. Robinson, G. Jenkison, D. Saunders, W. Robinson, G. James, R. Hinton, L. Gordon, 

Highland Dancing - Pamela Zwies, Carol Fraser, Christine  Miller, Elaine Cox, Joy Townsend, Gladys Ure, Carolyn Murch, Michael Kelleher, Anne McPherson, Susan Gibson, Gael Kelleher, Sheryl Jones, Joan Dickson, Helen Robertson, Elizabeth Faulkner, Alison Cox.

Professional Athletics -
G. McAuley, J. Forde, J. Smith, G. Reid, P. Larsen, Ron Hampton, Michael Forde, L. Lamond, Kevin Laidlaw, J. Forde, M. Perriam, L. McCallum, R. Lawton, P. Ward, L. Kitto, B. Cox.

Amateur Athletics -
W. Jowett, L. P. Smith, H. Aitchison, W. Chamberlain, K. O'Meara, W. Eggleton, Johnny Allison, P. Christie, L. Robb, I. P. Stark, L. Berwick, J. MacGregor, B. Senior, L. Heenan, J. Spittle, L. P. Smith, Jack Borland, A.J. Wilson, I. P. Smith, S. Fletcher, M. Oliver, P. Mavor, N. Millar, A. Blyth, H. Mather,