Portland LAC was the 35th Centre to be established in Victoria, located 370km from Melbourne CBD, they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2019. In 2022 they honored a beloved local athletics legend Meggsie Harvey by fostering a new and dedicated committee focused on growth and improved facilities. With Portland LAC has had a strong focus on inclusion and focus on PBS, this is represented through their committee being made up of 65% female members and their additional support given to welcome all members. 10% of whom identify as having a medical condition, Portland split their age groups to accommodate these members specific needs and provide additional support where necessary. Working with local disability support services to provide them with access to Portland LAC equipment to help the local community participate in athletics activities.
Particularly working close with the Glenelg Shire Council to maintain our shared facility and help make athletics available to the wider community. Portland LAC have spent the last few years working meticulously with Bayview College to support their goal of having the Glenelg Division Secondary School Athletics in Portland which was achieved in 2023. This involved purchase of appropriate new equipment such as hurdles and many of our committee and parents volunteering their time as officials on the day.
Other community events Portland have participated in are “The Magic of Story time” in May 2023, a local library event where they sent their local Centre captains to read a book to a large contingent of local children and conducted a “On Track” session with them. One of Portlands LAC biggest achievements came in early 2023, when they saw the completion of their 2nd long jump pit. A project was achieved thanks to a local “shark pitch” fundraiser which saw them achieve the necessary $20K in donations.
Portland LAC communicates, celebrate and share achievement and news with members regularly through our member Facebook group. With their close connections to local newspapers and receive regular coverage of activities membership numbers have been steadily increasing which led to Portland to receiving the overall Centre membership award for the 22/23 season. At that point having achieved the highest number of members since 2013.
Each year Portland welcomes LAVic Development Officer, Rob Belli, to Portland to provide an informal assessment of where they can improve and implement his advice. During his February 2023 visit, he recommended we work on our starting procedures which have made a positive difference to our Centre competition sessions.
Portland LAC celebrated the Coles Community round in November 2022, despite being about 100km away from their local Coles Store. This was no barrier to Portland as they made sure the community knew how important Coles is to Little Athletics. Despite their regional location Portland LAC travel to access some unique and fantastic events. Such as the Stawell Gift in April 2023 where they had athletes represent Portland and over the border at the Mount Gambier Gift in November 2022 who are always welcoming of the interstate little athletes.
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.