The South Australian retires on 26 October, closing a career that runs from a suburban javelin runway in 1976 to first female chief race-walking judge at a World Athletics Championships.

Eastwood-Bryson knows exactly what she will miss, “I am sure there will be times I will miss the hustle and bustle of the Call Room when it is full of athletes or judging the Race Walks in the pouring rain, however I have my wonderful memories,” she writes in the message announcing her retirement to her colleagues.

She starts in 1976 as a fifteen-year-old thrower with the Central Districts club in Adelaide, with an ambition she is happy to admit did not survive contact with reality. “As a wide eyed 15-year-old, I dreamt of competing at the Olympics in the Javelin Throw, but to be honest that was never going to happen. However, as an official I have fulfilled that dream.” Race walking pulls her in from 1979, initially as an administrator locally. Zoë will complete her Athletics Career as a World Athletics Gold Race Walk Referee, chief judging major events globally.

The officiating journey officially begins in 1998 with qualifications in jumps, throws, race walking and administration. Two years later she judges at the Sydney Paralympic Games. She works the call room at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and becomes chief judge for race walking events at Australian championships the same year. Area (Oceania) level accreditation (silver) follow from 2010, and international (now gold) level from 2014, the qualification that opens the world.

Across the years Zoë has featured on the judging panels across many of the World Athletics Race Walking Tour Series meets across the globe with her expertise relied upon beyond the shores of Oceania.

In stadia when the Race Walking wasn’t on track, you’d find Zoë in the Call Room. We interviewed Zoë earlier this year about her time in the call room over the years. Asked what the call room asks of the people in it, she gives “You’ve got to be calm. You’ve got to be patient. You’ve got to have respect. Not only for the other officials, but for the athletes as well.” Her calm but commanding demeanour was seen in full flight as numerous heats of the preliminary 100m heats rolled in and the Call Room team processed them ready to run at the recent Australian Athletics Championships and at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Zoë’s service has been recognised over time with Athletics South Australia awarding Life Membership in 2018. She is Australian Athletics Official of the Year in 2019, receives the Australian Athletics Platinum Pin for forty years of service in 2020 and a Race Walking Australia merit award in 2021. In October 2025, Australian Athletics awarded her Life Membership.

Her closing message is directed at everyone who worked alongside her, in Australia and beyond. “To all Associations, Officials and everyone who assisted me both in Australia and overseas, thank you so much for your support, encouragement, mentoring and most importantly, your friendship.”

In the last line, the advice of someone whose own dream arrived by an unexpected route. “Remember, whatever else you do in life, make sure to follow your dreams.”

You can also read more about Zoë’s achievements and career as she was presented with Australian Athletics Life Membership – Citation written by Brian Roe https://www.athletics.com.au/news/eastwood-bryson-honoured-as-life-member-of-australian-athletics/

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