History of the Victorian Race Walking Club Incorporated

Race walking has been part of Track and Field since athletic clubs were founded in the 1890’s. In the early days, the club members both race-walked and busk walked, however, in the early 1900’s, the race walkers formed their own club, which developed into the Victorian Race Walking Club.

The history document has taken 4 years of research by Mark Donahoo and Tim Erickson, using the invaluable information left to us by Bert Gardiner, one of the original members when the club was re-formed in 1921.

The history explores the evolution of the club, the development of the clubrooms, explains the venues that have been used for races, looks at the women walkers in the club, describes the development of the rules for race walking and investigates many  club officials and international representatives who have helped to steer the club into the sound position in now holds in Track and Field.

Mark Donahoo
January 2006

 Highlights include

279 pages of information
172 illustrations in both black and white, and colour
48 biographies
History of the club from 1893 to 2005
Over 200 members named or photographed

Chapters include

The Early Years
The beginning or reviving of the Victorian Amateur Walkers’ Club
After World War 2.
Our own clubrooms at Albert Park
Moving again, but settling back at Albert Park
Judging and the rules of Racewalking
Programming of races.
Venue details
The history of women walking in our club.
The Social Committee
Championship races and Trophies
The Club rooms: Robinson Hall
Past Accounts of the Clubrooms
Recollections of the club
My memories of the club from the late 1970s
VRWC COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ‘HEEL & TOE’ MAGAZINE
Officials of the Club
Personalities of the Club

Available from

Mark Donahoo
40 Fawkner St
Aberfeldie, 3040
Victoria, Australia
Email: mdonahoo@optusnet.com.au


Or from the Victorian Race Walking Club

The Secretary
Victorian Race Walking Club
G.P.O. Box 5192
Melbourne, 3001
Victoria, Australia

Cost of the book is $20.00 ($25.00 pp within Australia)


All cheques to be made payable to Victorian Race Walking Club Inc.

Print off the advertising flyer and spread the word!  -> VRWCClubHistory.pdf