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Could I regretfully advise that NSWCHSSA and NSWPSSA athletics official Geoffrey Martin sadly passed away on Sunday 22 April 2018. Geoffrey Martin OAM
Geoffrey was a regular attendee at many state track and field championships working with the start team where his experience and knowledge could be fully utilised. Many students at this level probably did not realise that Geoffrey started the 100m men's final at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the adjacent stadium. His approachable manner allowed many teachers to 'pick his brains' in their attempts to improve their performance as a starter, recaller, starter's assistant, start referee, track referee or umpire. A feature of this 'sharing' was that Geoffrey would never directly tell any official how to undertake their role. As a reflective listener, Geoffrey would make appropriate suggestions to ascertain the degree to which the questioner wanted to 'advance their officiating.' A mentor or coach to so many teachers his quiet manner allowed him to relay information that could be used at all levels of competition, whether school, district, zone, regional or state. Each year he would make a point of searching out those who he had offered support the previous year to see how they were coping and, as necessary, continue the conversation with helpful hints. Throughout his time in school sport he also noted the achievements of many track athletes and would take the time to share words of encouragement to promote athletics. Geoffrey had a kind word for everyone, whether they achieved outstanding results or had travelled from far distance villages and towns throughout NSW who may have been participating at this level of competition for the first time. Encouragement of personal bests, whether athlete or official, was a hallmark of his presence. An official who promoted a team ethos, coupled with the identification of leadership qualities, Geoffrey would spend time with the officials under his care and responsibility to ensure the team's performance was based on continual improvement. Always a realist, Geoffrey was keen to promote succession planning to ensure there would be teachers to take his place when he was no longer available. Being a good social mixer, he gained an insight into the expansive tasks of teachers when they returned to their school. These occasions permitted him to further develop his friendship network of teachers and Sport Co-ordination Officers who he respected highly and acknowledged their roles of promoting sport at all levels of competition and not just restricted to athletics. Geoffrey was a strong advocate for student participation through athletics and was a key figure in supporting the school sport unit with the annual ‘come and try’ athletics disability days where he would again act as a mentor and supporter along with the official starting panel duties. Geoffrey’s achievements in school sport were recognised in 2010 with an award of a NSWCHSSA silver sport specific life membership for athletics. Away from school sport, Geoffrey Martin had a distinguished volunteer career in two of his favourite pastimes - athletics, from IAAF down to grassroots levels as well as lifesaving through his local club Coogee and attending national carnivals. Very well respected by all those people with whom Geoffrey interacted, he reached the height of athletics officiating being included in the IAAF Starting Panel during an extended period of time, a constant visitor to IAAF headquarters in Monaco sharing his expertise with fellow international officials. For his devotion to athletics in Australia Geoffrey was awarded the honour of being a Life Governor of Athletics Australia and a life member of Athletics NSW. He also devoted time to Oceania athletics travelling the Pacific region to advise, train and assist officials. Geoffrey’s contribution to school sport and athletics in particular goes without measure. Geoffrey will always be remembered as an individual who loved life, could share a joke, looked to assist others but always underlying this approach was a genuine person with athletics running through his veins.
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