Geoff was an athlete of some ability, and then an official and administrator who continued to find time even into his 86th year to make the most appropriate contribution he felt he could to his much-loved sport.

While he served in many key roles, he never sought any of them – and would always have been just as happy to hand the reins over to someone else, if they were ready, willing and able.

That was something Geoff always was himself – from the menial (but crucial) role of gatekeeper to assuming the chair of various bodies.

Geoff ran at local level, principally with Newstead Harriers, rising to be Tasmanian champion in race walking for three years, as well as travelling interstate to test his abilities.

But it was as an administrator, event organiser and technical official that he made his mark over more than 50 years of dedicated and thoughtful service.

Geoff served as president and committee member of Athletics Tasmania’s Northern Branch and of the venue authority at St Leonards - the Northern Athletic Centre Board. He was a northern delegate to Athletics Tasmania, state team manager and regular technical official.

He embraced the opening up of athletics and was an enthusiastic member of the organising and delivery group of the Launceston Athletics Carnival.

Geoff will be remembered fondly by many for the leadership role he undertook when northern men’s track and field was conducted at White City, inside the old greyhound racing track.

The recognition of his contributions are many – including as life member of Newstead Athletics and the Northern Branch of Athletics Tasmania. In 2003, Geoff was one of the 36 initial recipients of Athletics Australia’s platinum service award for 40 years dedication to the sport.  Later came the Commonwealth of Australia sport achievement award acknowledging 59 years of voluntary commitment.

In 1976, Geoff was the first northerner to be elected a life member of Athletics Tasmania, even though the administration of the sport then was fully centralised in Hobart.

Athletics Tasmania took a further opportunity in 2010 to make a special recognition of Geoff’s lifetime of service to athletics – presenting to him at a special awards ceremony at the Launceston Town Hall a plaque acknowledging his 50 years as an administrator and official.

In May 2016, Northern Athletics in association with the Launceston City Council named the entrance at the St Leonards Athletic Centre in Geoff’s honour – a distinctive but thoroughly appropriate recognition. The synergies were perfect.