On 21st August 1969 delegates from Pacific Countries gathered at a meeting in Port Moresby. This meeting was the first Congress held for Oceania “A Congress of the delegates of Member Countries of the Australasian Area”. Six out of the nine Member Federations attended (Australia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, New Hebrides (now called Vanuatu) and Western Samoa). Fiji and New Zealand sent letters of support, while the Cooks Island were not represented. Observers from American Samoa, Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, Guam and New Caledonia also attended.
From this Congress a Committee of four members (non-elected) was formed to set up a draft of rules for the a new Association, whose name today is Oceania Athletics Association. These members were:
– Arthur Hodsdon – Chairman (Australia)
– Clive Lee (Australia)
– James Dunn (Papua New Guinea)
– Yet to be named (New Zealand)
From that year onwards the Council of Oceania Athletics Association has been elected by Member Federations. Please see information below relating to the history of the OAA Council.