Anne Lord “graduated” from an impressive career as an athlete to find a real niche in administration of athletics – of which her country, Oceania Athletics and World Athletics have been substantial beneficiaries.
Anne was five times a national junior champion across both track and field and cross-country before moving to senior ranks and becoming national champion on two occasions – over 10km on the road and at 3000m on the track.
Anne was probably most at home, however, in cross country representing Australia at the World Cross Country Championships four times between 1981 and 1987 complemented by a single appearance at the Women’s World Road Championships in 1991.
Anne had further opportunity to influence the world of cross country upon her election in her own right to the IAAF Cross Country Committee in 2007, serving as the Oceania representative until 2019 when all IAAF committees were wound up upon the transformation to World Athletics. She was meticulous in her reporting to Oceania Athletics and always keen to consult widely within the region before Committee interactions.
Anne was always one of the more active members of the Committee pushing for innovation and better promotion of the discipline. One of her last contributions was to successfully work for the return of the Championships to Oceania for a second time. Whilst the Bathurst edition has regrettably now been twice postponed due to the pandemic – when it is eventually staged, hopefully in February 2023, much of its eventual success will be due to Anne’s foresight and drive.
Her collaborative and harmonious approach enabled reform and progress to be made in many areas – always encouraging, in particular, other women to step into officiating, coaching, administrative and leadership roles.
Anne received the Medal of the Order of Australia in June 2015 for her contribution to athletics at all levels as a competitor and administrator and only this week received Life Membership of Athletics Australia.
Anne Lord OAM is a most worthy recipient of the OAA Merit Award.
