b"22 OCTOBER 21, 2022 The Great Eastern Mailracing & sportGrantsB AIRNSDALE has producedGET ON YOUR BIKESsome star sportsmen over the Givingyears, but great cyclists have been a bit rare.AboriginalLittle eight-year-old Frankie Coletta mastered riding his dad's five sizes too big bike, putting his leg Athletes under the cross bar and perilouslyJack Donchi,charging in to Bairndale and over the chain. Pedalling like crazy he champion used to fly down the Anderson St hill,sprinting around the gardens, A Boost leaning out like a pillion passenger. Ifcyclist. Pictureswhere they conducted a criterium courtesy of Frankie had hit a pot hole, he wouldDonchi family before they sped off to Lakes. have landed in the morass! Jack always tried to win his home T HE Andrews Labortown sprint and usually had some Government is backing moresuccess. When not on the bike, Jack Aboriginal Victorians toWH ACKER was competing on the pro running advance their sporting opportunitiescircuit with some of Australia's top with grants to purchase uniformsONathletes. Here are some of his best THE WING! and equipment and participate invictories.sporting events.Minister for Community SportCYCLING: Ros Spence today announced theThe Orbost Aggregate (six races)72 grant recipients, with teams andBairnsdale 50 mile championshipindividuals from 17 community organisations to receive a share ofRUNNING: more than $80,000 through the latestThe Marlo Cupround of the Aboriginal SportingThe Marlo GiftParticipation Grant Program. The 1973 Wangaratta John KlemThe program provides grants ofPinhead Watts was a professionalMemorial 1600mup to $1,500 for teams to participaterider of sorts. He terrorised cats and in statewide or national carnivals,dogs and little old ladies on that redJack also competed at the up to $1,000 for teams and $250bike from Humphreys' Cellars forprestigious Bendigo meetings over for individuals for uniforms andyears. The bike was a bit like a back1600 and 3200mequipment and up to $750 toto front Penny Farthing; big wheelThe further they went, the better cover travel and accommodationat the back, small one at the fronthe ran. Around 1979, at the age of expenses. to accommodate the big grocery50, Jack took on all Recipients in this round includebasket. Pin used to do mercy dashescomers and won the 10 teams from Southern Aboriginalaround town delivering gin andJack Donchi,Nowa Nowa King Of Sports which have been awardedsherry and other refreshment towinning theThe Mountain. The Thredbo Iron $1,500 each for their juniorthose in need. man following year at age basketballers to take part in aLots of our dads living out of town51 he won the 1980 Lightning Pathway Program intohad to cycle to work. They wereThredbo Ironman. Basketball Victoria competitions. great riders too. It took considerableHe also trained and Warriors Gridiron Club intalent to survive the six o'clock swill,encouraged Mrs Mulgrave received $750 to help buyride flat out down Foards Hill, crossDonchi, his wife to new uniforms, making it possible forthe river on the old rattly, woodencompete and she even more Aboriginal young peoplebridge, before it eventually collapsedfinished 3rd in the to play at the club. and then negotiate the steep, windy,Donchi was a champion Victorianwomen's event.The Black Eagles Basketball ClubWy Yung hills. cyclist during the '60s, competingJack was also from Shepparton received $11,000We had good mates in thein all the classic events. It wasn'tactive in boxing and for 11 of its junior basketball teamscycling club. Stephen Confait andjust cycling either. Jack was wellwoodchopping and to attend basketball associationPeter Powell had baked enamelahead of his time, also competingas a central umpire tournaments. painted flash bikes with their namesas a professional runner andBombala. He moved to Bairnsdalehe officiated in over Since 2020 the Labor Governmentemblazoned on them. We had robustwinning iron man competitionsaround the age of 21 and took on500 games with the East Gippsland has provided more than $210,000discussions which was the hardest,before they became million dollarsome of Australia's best riders in theUmpires Association.through this program towardscycling or running. Powelly wasinternational events, even beingclassic races such as the MelbourneTo top off his amazing sporting 200 grants to support Aboriginaladamant cycling was; he didn't seeincluded on the Olympic program. to Warrnambool, the Dandenongcareer, he also scored a hole in one community run organisations, clubsthe funny side the day we nicked hisOriginally from Orbost, Jackto Lakes Entrance, the Gippslandat golf.and individuals across the state. bike and told him to run home . itdominated running and cyclingTour and the Warragul Three DayWhat an extraordinary, action For a full list of the fundedwas much easier. events in the district. He was aClassic. packed life as a sportsman and a initiatives from this round and moreAnd then there was Jack. regular border hopper competingWe can remember the colourgentleman. One of Bairnsdale's information visit sport.vic.gov.au Bairnsdale's John Raymondat carnivals at places such asand the spectacle of the pelotonfinest. 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