Hall of fame
Matt Barber - Athlete/Coach
1956 - 2020 (Deceased)
Matt held the WA Open Shot Put record of 18.40m from 1981 - February 2020 when it was surpassed by one of his trained athletes, it is one of the longest standing records. He is also WA’s most successful Professional running coach and arguably amateur as well. He has had more Pro wins local and interstate than any other coach in history and officially started coaching the Curtin Athletics Club in 1986.
Achievements
120m Pro Winners
1987 Bunbury Gift – Keiran Finn
1988 Bunbury Gift = Keiran Finn (& Andrew Taylor)
1988 Rye Gift – Peter O’Dwyer
1988 Mullewa Gift – Greg Harvey
1989 Austin Robertson Gift – Dean Capobianco
1989 Port Hedland Gift – Paul Edmiston
1989 Mullewa Gift – Nick Ward
1990 Collie Gift – Robert Foti
1990 Mullewa Gift – Dean Capobianco
1990 Stawell Gift – Dean Capobianco
1990 Bay Sheffield – Dean Capobianco
1990 Kalgoorlie Gift – Nick Ward
1991 Mullewa Gift – Ben Liston
1991 Burnie Gift – Dean Capobianco
1991 Kalgoorlie Gift – Paul Edmiston
1992 Botany Bay Gift – Jason Gilich
1992 Burnie Gift – Shane Hearn
1992 Mullewa Gift – Mark Peters
1993 Mullewa Gift – John Manus
1994 Mullewa Gift – John Manus
1994 Botany Bay Gift – Paul Edmiston
1994 Botany Bay Women’s Gift – Nova Peris
1994 Northam Gift – Nova Peris
1995 Mullewa Gift – Rod Buchanan
1995 Lilac Hill Gift – Shaun Mayne
1997 Bay Sheffield Gift – Rod Buchanan
1996 Gilgandra Gift – Shem Hollands
1996 Bunbury Gift – Andrew McManus
1996 Mazanod Gift – Andrew McManus
1996 Maryborough Gift – Andrew McManus
1997 Mullewa Gift – Jai York
1998 Mullewa Gift – Trent Hunter
1999 Mullewa Gift – Rod Buchanan
1999 Bay Sheffield Gift – Andrew McManus
2000 Botany Bay Gift – Andrew McManus
2000 Mullewa Gift – Cameron Yorke
2000 Fremantle Dockers Gift – Cameron Yorke
2002 Burnie Gift – Darren Rodgers
2003 Mullewa Gift – Evan Jarvis
2003 Dandenup Gift – Andrew McManus
2004 Mullewa Gift – Darren Rogers
2005 Mullewa Gift – Aiden Jeanes
2006 Burnie Gift – Cameron Yorke
2006 Mullewa Gift – Evan Jarvis
2009 Dardenup Gift – Dylan Panizza
2009 Mullewa Gift – Alex Glorie
2009 Hobart Gift – Cameron Yorke
2010 Mullewa Gift – Dylan Panizza
2010 Dardenup Gift – Naomi Henn
2012 Mullewa Gift – Alex Glorie
2012 Hamersley Gift – Isabella Valuri
2013 Peel Gift – Alex Glorie
2013 Bay Sheffield Women’s Gift – Kiara Reddingius
2014 Hamersley Gift – Kiara Reddingius
2015 Dave Dilley Women’s Gift – Breanna Fallows
2015 Bay Sheffield Women’s Gift – Kobi Evans
2016 Ballarat Women’s Gift – Kiara Reddingius
2016 Queanbeyan Women’s Gift – Julia Phillips
2017 Mullewa Gift – Eleanor Disselkoen
2018 Parkdale Men’s Gift – Evan Jarvis
2018 Parkdale Women’s Gift – Kiara Reddingius
WCAL Team Championship: Curtin Athletics Club – 2017/18
WCAL Team Championship: Curtin Athletics Club – 2016/17
Dean "Capo" Capobianco
Born: 11 May 1970
The winner of 1990 Stawell Gift, 1990 Bay Sheffield Gift & 1991 Burnie Gift he is still the only person in history to achieve this in a calendar year. Capo is one of WA & Australia’s greatest ever sprinters finishing with 6 x National Open Gold medals. He was 5th at the 1993 World Championships in the 200m final in 20.18sec. The second fastest Australian all time.
Achievements
Pro
1990 Winner Stawell 120m Gift (2.25m)
1990 Winner Bay Sheffield 120m Gift (1.5m)
1991 Winner Burnie Gift (0m)
1991 Botany Bay 120m Gift (runner up – 0m)
GROUP 2 Pro Wins
1989 Winner Austin Robertson 120m Gift
Winner Mazenod 120m Gift
Winner Stawell 120m Backmarkers
1990 Winner Mullewa 120m Gift (0.75m)
Winner Cannington (Dogs) Gift
Winner Port Macquarie 120m Gift
Pro Highlights:
Bunbury 120m Gift – runner up to Keiran Finn in 1st pro-race (at 16 yo).
Stawell 120m Gift Match Race: Melinda Gainsford (14m) v Dean Capobianco (0m).
Amateur:
1988-89 U20 Nationals 110 metres Hurdles 1st 14.15 (WA Record)
1990-91 Nationals 100 yards 1st 9.7
1990-91 Nationals 100 metres 1st 10.36 (+0.1)
1990-91 Nationals 200 metres 1st 20.64 (-1.2)
1991-92 Nationals 200 metres 1st 20.57 (-0.8)
1992-93 Nationals 100 metres 1st 10.17 (+4.7)
1995-96 Nationals 200 metres 1st 20.79 (-0.7)
1993 World Championships 200 metres Final 5th 20.18 (+0.3)
Ht 1st 20.52 (-0.2); QF 2nd 20.44 (-1.0); SF 4th 20.21 (+0.6).
Peter "POD" O'Dwyer
Born: TBA
Peter O’Dwyer, originally from WA, has competed in every Stawell Gift since 1988, that’s 32 consecutive gifts – placing 4th in 1988 and 3rd in 1999. A remarkable and unmatched effort. He has placed in over 40 gift finals and run in more than 50 gift finals. He won the Mullewa Gift in 1987, Ballarat in 1996, Rye in and placed in He has trained 4 Stawell Gift winners, 1 male and 3 female, including his own daughter, Gracie, in 2015
Achievements
Professional Career
Stawell Gift
3rd 1999 Stawell Gift Final 5.25m
4th 1988 Stawell Gift Final 4.5m
4 times x 2nd in Semi final- 2005 (9m),2006(11m),2008(10m),2010(10m)
2007 (1st heat),2009(4th heat),2011(5th heat 9.25m)
Semi Finalist in the Stawell Gift on ( 18) Eighteen occasions (the most in the history of the Stawell Gift) (including 2005 2nd in semi and 2006 2nd in semi (by 8/100ths sec) & 2007(4th) & 2008(2nd) & 2010(2nd)(by 3/100th, 2011, 2012, 2013,2015 at age 49 )
Competed in 29 consecutive Stawell Gifts, 11 (12) from behind 5m the first and only sprinter to do so. And 16 (17) from behind 6m
Winner Stawell Central Highland 400m 1996
Ballarat Gift
Winner 2010 Ballarat Gift $25K (at age 44 -14 years after winning in 1996) 2nd richest footrace in Australia in 2010
Winner 1996 Ballarat Gift $10K (2nd richest race in Victoria)
2nd 1999 Ballarat Gift
4th 1997 Ballarat Gift
Botany Bay Gift (Richest Footrace in Australia)
2nd 1996 Botany Bay Gift(3m)
2nd 1992 Botany Bay Gift (2m)
6th 1995 Botany Bay Gift
Other Significant Professional Gift Wins
Winner 2008 Rye Gift (20 years after winning for the first time)
Winner 1989 Rye Gift
Winner 1992 Werribee Gift
Professional Grand Prix 120m Gift Finals
3rd 1999 Stawell Gift Final
4th 1888 Stawell Gift Final
2nd 1991 Burnie Gift
2nd 1996 Botany Bay Gift
2nd 1992 Botany Bay Gift
6th 1995 Botany Bay Gift
Bay Sheffield SA
4th 1989 Bay Sheffield Gift
1st 1988 Bay Sheffield Backmarkers
1st 1989 70m Bay Sheffield Glenelg
1st 2002 Vets 120m -Bay Sheffield
Some Professional Gift Finals Performances
1st-1987-Mullewa Gift Final
1st-1988-Bay Sheffield Backmarkers
1st-1989-70m Bay Sheffield Glenelg
1st-1989-Rye Gift
1st-1991-Gazza Gift-Fastest Footballer in Australia
1st-1992-Werribee Gift
1st-1996-Ballarat Gift
1st-2010-Ballarat Gift
1st-2002-Bay Sheffield Vets
1st-2008-Rye Gift
1st-1996-Stawell 400m
1st--Buramine Backmarkers
1st--Keilor Backmarkers
2nd-1990-Burnie Gift
2nd-1992-Botany Bay Gift
2nd-1993-Ararat Gift
2nd-1995-Geelong 300m
2nd-1996-Botany Bay Gift
2nd-1996-Burramine Backmarkers
2nd-1996-Geelong Gift
2nd-1996-Keilor Gift
2nd-1996-Rye Gift
2nd-1999-Ballarat Gift
3rd-1988-Mullewa Gift Final
3rd-1991-Melton Gift
3rd-1992-Bendigo Gift
3rd-1993-Maryborough 200m Final
3rd-1996-Maryborough Gift
3rd-1996-Wangaratta Gift
3rd-1997-Geelong Gift
3rd-1999-Stawell Gift Final
3rd-2001-Ballarat Gift Backmarkers
3rd-1991-Barooga Gift Final
4th-1888-Stawell Gift Final
4th-1996-Bendigo Gift
4th-1997-Ballarat Gift
4th -1989-Bay Sheffield Gift
4th -2007-Rye Gift
5th-1987-Bunbury Gift final
5th-1990-Bernie Gift Backmarkers
5th-1990-Hobart Gift
5th-1995-Burramine Gift
5th-2007-Rye Gift
6th -1989-Bay Sheffield Backmarkers
6th -1990-Bunbury Gift final
6th -1995-Botany Bay Gift
8th-1995-Rye 400m final
8th-2004-Geelong Gift
40 plus x placed in Gift Finals.
50 plus x Gift finalist.
Amateur Career
5 Times World Champion - 2002 World Masters Games
Gold Medal -100m 35-40yrs World Championship Masters 2002 (11.04sec)
Gold Medal -200m 35-40yrs World Championship Masters 2002
Gold Medal -400m 35-40yrs World Championship Masters 2002 (48.69sec)
Gold Medal -4 x 100m World Championship Masters 2002
Gold Medal -4 x 400m World Championship Masters 2002
National and State Medals
100m State Open Sprint Champion (Western Australia) 1987 (10.40sec), 1988(10.50sec), 1989(10.40sec)
200m State Open Sprint Champion (Western Australia) 1987 (21.60 sec)
Silver 200m State Champion (Western Australia) 1989 (21.60 sec)
Bronze Medal Australian 100yards Championship 1992.
Gold Medal Australian Open 4 x 100m National Championships 1991
Silver Medal Australian Open 4 x 100m National Championships 1990
Bronze Medal Australian Open 4 x 400m National Championships 1990
Member of the Australian 4 x 100m Relay Squad 1990
Numerous State Junior sprint Titles 1982 -1986.
Numerous State & Vic Country Master/Vets sprint Titles 2001 -2016.
Member of the WA State Athletics Team 1982 to 1990
Fourth 1989 200m Malaysian Championships (10.70)
Fourth 1989 100m Malaysian Championships (21.40)
Silver 100m Victoria Country Championships (10.74)
Records
100m Australian Record Holder 35-40 years 11.04sec (2002)…….since broken by P Johnston
200m Australian Record Holder 35-40 years 21.98sec (2002)…...since Broken by P Johnston
400m Victorian Record Holder 35-40 years 48.69sec (2002)
PB's
PB -100m State Open Sprint Champion (Western Australia) 1987 (10.40sec), 1988(10.50sec), 1989(10.40sec)
PB -100m 10.46 Elec(wind +1.3) UK 1990 and 10.1H Wind ass(Perth)
PB -200m 21.1 H Geelong
PB -400m 46.1 H, and 48.69 at age of 37.
Dr Shane Hearn
Born: 2nd Oct 1968
The winner of the 1994 Burnie Gift, 1995 Mandurah Gift & 1996 Botany Bay Gift. Hearnie is the fastest Indigenous sprinter and highest Indigenous prize money earner in WA’s history. Starting out as a football player, Shane went onto carve out an outstanding professional and amateur athletics record.
Achievements
Pro
1988 Winner WAFL Players 100m Sprint
1990 Winner Burnie Maiden Sprint
1991 winner Ovaltine Sprint Devonport (TAS)
1992 Burnie 120m Gift 5th
1993 Burnie 120m Gift 4th
1994 Winner Burnie 120m Gift – $9k
1995 Winner Mandurah 120m Gift
1996 Winner Botany Bay 120m Gift – $23k
1996 Winner Arthur Postle 75yrd
1996 Bay Sheffield 120m Gift 3rd.
1997 Winner Mazanod 120m Gift
1997 Burnie 120m Gift 3rd
1997 Botany Bay 120m Gift 5th
Amateur
100m 10.32 (+1.7w) & 9.7w (+3.7)
1995/96 WA State 200m Runner up
1995/96 WA State 100m Runner up 10.32
1995/96 Nationals 100m Final 10.68 (-1.7) 7th
1995/96 Perth GP 100m Runner up 10.33
1996/97 WA State 200m Winner
1996/97 Nationals 10.64 (-0.6) heat & 10.76 (-2.3) semi
Jason Gilich
Born: 7th Jan 1973
The winner of the 1990 Bunbury Gift, 1992 Botany Bay Gift & 1992 Port Hedland Gift. Gilich burst onto the Professional scene very early in his carrier going onto win one of Australia’s richest races. Loaded with talent, his career was unfortunately cut short by a motor vehicle accident in 1992 after his most famous victory.
Achievements
Pro:
1989 Winner Midland Brick Gift (youngest sprinter in Australia to win a gift race (16yo)
1990 Winner Bunbury Gift 70m & 120m (first WA sprinter to win two major races at the same meeting)
1990 Winner John Hughes Peoples’ 120m Gift
1990 Winner Mullewa Invitational 75m
1991 Winner Hobart (TAS) 200m
1992 Runner up Burnie Backmarkers Gift (TAS) 120m
1992 Winner Port Hedland 120m Gift- $5k
1992 Winner Botany Bay 120m Gift (NSW) – $18k
Amateur:
1984/85 U12 60m Hurdles State Little Athletics Gold Medalist
1984/85 U12 100m State Little Athletics Gold Medalist
1985/86 U13 100m State Little Athletics Gold Medalist
1989/90 Northern Districts Best Under 16 Male (Club Trophy) | 1989/90 Northern Districts Athletic Club Most Outstanding Male (Club Trophy) | 1991/92 Curtin Athletic Club Track Champion | 1990 WA All Schools Championships U19 100m, 200m, & 110 hurdles (Gold) | 1992 U20 AAWA State Championships 100m (Bronze) | 1992 U20 AAWA State Championships 200m (Silver) | 1992 U20 National Track & Field Championships, Adelaide (200m – 4th)
Andrew "Billy" Mcmanus
Born: 11th Dec 1970
The 1992 Stawell Gift, 1999 Bay Sheffield Gift & 2000 Botany Bay Gift Winner. ‘Billy’ is the highest prize money earner in WA’s history (at around $100k) and the second highest Australian all time. He came to WA in 1993 from Victoria to train with coach Matt Barber and incredibly made the Olympic team at 33yo after a short retirement.
Achievements
From 125 Stawell Greatest Moments…
No.#89 Essendon’s Andrew McManus produced an impressive display to capture the 1992 Gift in 12.03 off 7m. 4th place getter Tim Mason, who was the odds-on favourite to win the 1990 Gift, again experienced the disappointment of gift final defeat.
Pro & Amateur Record:
1989 Maryborough 1st meet at 18 years old
1990 Winner Lavington 120m Restricted
1992 Winner Stawell 120m Gift (12.03sec 7m) – $24K
1993 Winner Bay Sheffield 120m Backmarkers
1994 Stawell 120m Gift 5th 3.5m
1994 Winner Keilor 120m Backmarkers
1994 National 200m Final 5th
1995 Injured
1996 Maryborough 120m Gift 3rd
199? Winner Maryborough 200m
1996 Winner Mazenod 120m Gift (WA)
1996 Winner Bunbury 200m (WA)
1996 National 200m Final 4th
1997 Injured
1998 Injured
1999 Stawell 120m Gift 4th 5.75m
1999 Winner Bay Sheffield 120m Gift (11.87sec 5.75m) – $12.5K
2000 Winner Burnie Backmarkers
2000 Maryborough 120m Gift 2nd 0.75m (Jan 2nd) (tightest mark he ran off)
2000 Winner Botany Bay 120m Gift (3.5m 12.01sec) – $50K
2001 Injured/Semi Retired
2002 Injured/Semi Retired
2003 Stawell 120m Backmarkers 2nd
2003 Winner Dardunup 120m Gift (WA)
2003 Winner Dardunup 70m
2003 Bay Sheffield 120m Gift 3rd 3.5m
2004 Burnie120m Gift 2nd 2.25m
2004 Ballarat 120m Gift Finalist
2004 Athens Olympics 4x100m
2005 Stawell 200m heat unplaced & last run at 34 years old
Paul "Edmo" Edmiston
Born: 16th Feb 1972
The winner of the 1989 Port Hedland Gift, 1991 Kalgoorlie Gift & 1994 Botany Bay Gift. Edmo is one of the highest Western Australian professional prize money earners. The handy high hurdler competed in 10 consecutive Open National Championships making 7 finals and winning three medals.
Achievements
Pro
1989 – Runner up Austin Robertson 120m Gift
1989 – Winner Port Hedland 120m Gift – $5k
1991 – Winner Kalgoorlie 120m Gift – $10k
1992 – Runner up Mullewa 120m Gift
1993 – Runner up Mullewa 120m Gift
1993 – 3rd place Bay Sheffield 120m Gift (SA)
1994 – Winner Botany Bay 120m Gift (NSW) – $23k
1994 – Semi Finalist Stawell 120m Gift (4.5m)
1994 – Runner up Mullewa 120m Gift
1995 – Winner Arthur Postle 75yard Dash
1996 – Runner up Burnie 120m Gift (5m) – controversy as the Tasmanian winner was accused of false starting witnessed by many. Conveniently the appeal was dismissed.
2002 – 4th place Bay Sheffield 120m Gift (SA)
2003 – Favourite for Burnie 120m Gift (TAS) – Race cancelled due to rain.
2004 – Entered Bay Sheffield (SA) winning the gift trial ahead of stable mates (including Simon Creighton). However cancelled the trip east due to birth of his first child. Creighton went on to finish 3rd in the Bay Sheffield final one week later.
Coaching – 120m Pro Winners
2010 Hamersley 120m Gift – Mathew Short
2010 City of Perth 120m Gift – Cole Unasa
2011 Dardenup 120m Gift – Mathew Short
2012 Rockingham 120m Gift –Tim Branston
2013 Stonnington 120m Gift – Cole Unasa
2013 Kevan Hook 120m Gift – Paige Gavranich
2013 Rockingham 120m Gift = Mathew Short & Ben Clark
2013 Mullewa 120m Gift – Adriaan Pelser (youngest ever at 12yo)
2014 Hamersley 120m Gift – Heinrich Rass
2014 Hamersley 120m Gift – Rhys Davies
2015 Mullewa 120m Gift – Adriaan Pelser
2015 Hamersley 120m Gift – Rhys Davies
2016 Hamersley 120m Gift – Rhys Davies
2017 World Championship Medal: F44 Women’s Discus (Sarah Edmiston)
WCAL Team Championship: North Beach Athletics – 2016/17
WCAL Team Championship: North Beach Athletics – 2015/16
WCAL Team Championship: North Beach Athletics – 2014/15
WCAL Team Championship: North Beach Athletics – 2013/14
WCAL Team Championship: North Beach Athletics – 2012/13
Amateur
Open Nationals– 110m hurdles
1990-91 4th Final 14.88 (-1.4) U20
1990-91 5th Heat 15.05 (-0.8)
1991-92 8th Final 15.23 (-1.2)
1992-93 5th Final 14.54 (+1.4)
1993-94 3rd Final 14.36 (-3.0)
1994-95 2nd Final 14.35 (-0.9)
1995-96 3rd Final 14.34 (-1.6)
1996-97 7th Final 15.11 (-2.5)
1997-98 4th Final 14.88 (-2.0)
1998-99 4th Heat 14.87 (-1.4)
1999-00 3rd Semi 14.73 (-1.1)
Highlights:
U16 National 100m Hurdles Champion | U18 WA State 100m Champion
PB: 110mh: 14.14 (-1.0) WA Record @1995 Melbourne GP & 13.5h w, 13.6h w, 13.6h w.
WA Open 110mh Champion: 1992-2000 (8 successive years).
WA Open 110m hurdles Record: held for 9 years (23/2/1995-28/2/2004).
WA Record Holder: M35 110m hurdles: 16.48sec. M40 60m: 7.27sec & 110m hurdles: 15.72sec.