Twenty Years On – with More to Come

Words: Bob Snow

I first met Yvonne Mullins at some early Oceania competitions in Townsville, Christchurch and Adelaide. This was during the period before she took over as Chief Executive of Oceania Athletics.

Once Yvonne took over the helm of the “Good Ship OAA”, our contact became more frequent and soon developed into a friendship that has lasted to this day.

On many trips to the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and to major competitions in Australia – in Sydney, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Brisbane and the Gold Coast – our working relationship became closer and gave me encouragement to devote more of my time to Athletics – in Oceania meets, the Pacific Games and Mini Games.

To make long overseas trips as a member of the Oceania Athletics Family has given me wonderful memories. I can remember being in Edmonton, Moscow, Morocco, Istanbul and Budapest as a member of “Team OAA”, and fondly remember the Congress, competition and the excitement of being in a new country. Yvonne was the leader of our overseas visits and kept us well informed and feeling part of the team.

Some of the more memorable for me are the following –

1) Going to Nauru to be a part of their major Constitution Day competition and celebrations.
2) Attending Tongan National Championships and being welcomed so warmly by old friends and the Tongan people.
3) The Oceania Grand Prix meets in Fiji in 2007 that had to be re-located to Ba and Sigatoka. Major political reasons for this re-location!
4) Attending important OAA meetings in Kiribati and becoming acutely aware of the problems that they face is developing our sport.
5) The Championships in Apia, Samoa, the year before they hosted the 2007 Pacific Games.
6) Oceania Championships in Tahiti, with Sebastian Coe being the main guest – for a wonderful
competition.
7) Being in Port Vila, Vanuatu, for the first Oceania Cup competition, with the Prime Minister, sitting in the stands with the OAA officials and the crowd of enthusiastic supporters for the full meet.
8) Travelling to Morocco (World Cup Competition) for a great sporting and cultural experience.
9) The 2015 Oceania Championships in Cairns with the two “competitors” for the position of President of the IAAF (as it was then known) playing an important role in the competition, with Seb Coe, starting pistol in hand, getting the 1500m race underway, and being a keen observer of the Men’s Pole Vault!
10) The many trips to Fiji for the Fiji Finals and other competitions. It has been great for me to return to the place where my love of the sport became reality. Thanks Yvonne for giving me the enthusiasm to do it all again.

For all these memorable occasions, Yvonne Mullins was in the driver’s seat, ensuring that the competition – or Congress Meeting – went smoothly. Yvonne had a lot of assistance, but she was the glue that kept the very diverse group of people together – with a common goal – a successful competition or meeting.

Presidents of OAA came and went, but Yvonne was still there ensuring that all went well. Everyone was confident that we were heading in the right direction – to a successful outcome.

One last frivolous memory – from several editions of the Fiji Schools’ Finals – will be the sight of Yvonne dancing on the track as the public address system blared out Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”. Totally memorable. Can’t wait to see her do it again.

I mention Yvonne’s assistants. She could not have had such a successful twenty-year tenure, without the help of good, well-qualified staff, who have occupied the OAA Office during those two decades. I also thank them for all the assistance that they have provided to me over the years. That and the good relations she has maintained with the Pacific Games Council, ONOC, OSFO and all those other four (or three) initial organisations. It takes a lot of work to keep all the balls juggling in the air at the same time.

Friendly 95% of the time, but when she is challenged unfairly or rudely, the other 5% makes even policemen back off. (One episode clearly remembered). She gets the job done, and that is appreciated by all. Liked and respected all around the Oceania Region and also with World Athletics.

Yvonne – well done for a good innings – twenty not out. Don’t want you to reach 100, but there will be many more runs on the board before your Oceania innings is over.

Take care
Bob Snow

Honorary Life Member of OAA (2015)
World Athletics Plaque of Merit (2023)
IAAF Merit Award (Moscow 2012)
Honorary Life Member Athletics PNG
Member of the Association of Track & Field Statisticians (ATFS) – the only Pacific Island member.