MPTC MEMBERS WHO HAVE SINCE PASSED ON INTO THEIR NEXT TRANSITION
LEST WE FORGET
ALAN ELRICK - 1939-2002
Alan Elrick was the MPTC first life member. He became president in 1987 and during his five year term the club expanded dramatically in numbers, financial terms, and in other respects.
Alan was the instigation that achieved our own exclusive clubrooms that we still enjoy today. Alan was a tireless worker for the club from the mid eighties to the mid nineties and ultimately for the sport. He brought to the club strong skills as an administrator, organizer, delegator and fund raiser. He had the skill to be forthright in expressing his opinion yet maintaining the respect of those who may have a differing view. His memory for events, organization and administrative correctness was legendary.
Although not himself a triathlete, he drew great enjoyment from the company of fit and talented athletes and always participated in the social aspects of the sport. He championed the ordinary athlete who he termed the “weekend warrior”. In many respects he was like a second father to many members.
The sport of triathlon also benefited from Alan’s involvement. He served a term as president of Triathlon Victoria and subsequently played a very important role in shaping the future of triathlon Australia. During this period he served as a delegate on the Rules Committee of Tri Vic and his leadership helped develop orderly development of the sport. Alan was later bestowed Life Membership of Triathlon Victoria.
On two occasions Alan was appointed manager for the Australian Team for the world triathlon championships to Mexico and to the UK. At the local level he jointly initiated and became the driving force behind the club’s Frankston Long Course Triathlon. Alan was race Director for seven years and obtained large sponsorship and identity for the club. Every year the Elrick family would billet interstate athletes at their home for this event.
Triathlon lost a wonderful contributor to the sport and the MPTC lost its most significant member. Alan’s wife Shirley, son Digger and daughter in law Kerryn have also been great contributors of the club.
OWEN JOHNSTON - 1946-1998In early 1984 (before MPTC commenced) Owen Johnston worked with Ramon Russell to establish Team Ramon Sporting Promotions (TRSP), Australia’s first professional triathlon event management company. TRSP conducted the Survivor Triathlon Series which included the original Australian Long Course Triathlon Championship. This was a Half Ironman triathlon (often referred to as the ‘Frankston Long Course Event’) conducted until 1986. The catalyst for Owen starting in triathlon was to give the best opportunity for talented athletes including son Andrew to develop in the sport of triathlon.
In 1986 Owen Johnston, his son Andrew, Graham White and Ken Jenkins set about establishing a Triathlon club on the peninsula and to keep the Long Course race alive and in its original form. The group went to TriVic and were successful in gaining approval to form MPTC. Owen was part of the “old guard” of friends that formed the MPTC. Owen together with Graham White and Phil Rhoden worked through the process of club incorporation. Owen and Alan Elrick secured the lease of the present Williams Street clubrooms from the Frankston City Council. Owen who was born in Geelong, had been a talented track and field cyclist. Owen always had a yearning to compete in a triathlon. This was difficult for him due to his health problems however the answer came with completing the bike leg of a triathlon team event at Hastings in 1986.
Owen was an inaugural MPTC committee member and served on the committee for five years. Owen also served as the clubs 'race director from 1986 to 1989 for the Australian Long Course Triathlon at Frankston. At post race de-briefings shared between the Elricks, Fosters and Johnston’s, Owen became the “apprentice trainer” by teaching our younger club triathletes the finer art of socialization.
Owen was employed by “Telstra” and along with his wife Robyn and children, Mardi and Andrew travelled with him around the country. Through these experiences son Andrew grew to love the sport of triathlon and still competes to this day.
Owen was a very friendly and likeable person. Due to failing health this much admired and loved man retired to Paynesville with wife Robyn. Unfortunately, due to heart failure Owen passed away far too early. Owen was an inaugural MPTC Life Member, and the year after Owen passed away (1998) the club established an annual award in his honour for “best club person”. The MPTC is eternally grateful for Owens’ significant contribution.
RON FOSTER - 20 October 1928 – 14 November 2010The MPTC was saddened to hear of the passing of Ron Foster, a life member of the club.
Ron was one of the “old guard” who started the MPTC. When the original MP Survivor Long Course Triathlon (privately run) 'went to the wall', a group of like minded people understood the hole that would be left. Ron was part of the group who took on the running of the long course race that became the original MPTC committee. These were mostly parents of talented triathletes. Ron had a very talented son in well known Stephen Foster who became Australian Short Course Triathlon champion for many years and is currently a triathlon coach. In the early days of MPTC, many post race gatherings were held at the Foster residence to discuss the previous race and to plan the next long course triathlon. With BBQ in full swing Ron usually had a drink in hand.
When the MPTC conducted the Long Course Race, Ron co-ordinated the transition area.
Ron assisted Alan Elrick to procure the clubrooms lease from Frankston Council. Alan Elrick depended on Ron in countless ways including his electrical knowledge at the clubrooms. Before retirement Ron was an inspector with the former SEC. Ron Foster was a quiet man whom you could depend on. You could set him a task and it was completed - no matter how long it took. When anything needed to be done Ron volunteered. Ron took immense pleasure in helping people. The early members of the club certainly have good memories of Ron.
Ron was very amiable and humorous. Ron, an avid golfer, would practice swinging his 'air' golf club when deep in conversation with you. Ron was a member of Rosebud Golf Club (as a Rosebudian) and later played at Long Island Golf Club. Ron was a single figure golfer. In his latter years Ron played bowls at Long Island Bowls Club - and was a competent bowler. In the early 50’s Ron was a keen bike rider with Carnegie cycling club. Ron lived in Seaford for 41 years.
Ron’s health deteriorated over his last year and spent his last month in an aged care home. Sadly, Ron passed away at Frankston hospital on 14th November 2010. A cremation service for Ron was held at Bunnurong Memorial Park at Dandenong South.
The MPTC has lost a significant member and our sympathy is extended to Ron’s wife Beverley, and children Stephen, Debra and two grandchildren