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Tribute to Athletics Australia Life Member Laurie Keaton

11 April 2018

Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby—Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation) (13:34): Today I make special mention of Laurie Keaton who has been named an Athletics Australia life member. Laurie is an extremely active and well recognised member of the athletics community. He has been working with juniors and seniors alike for more than an incredible 50 years. Laurie first got involved in 1964 as manager for a New South Wales high school zone, and by 1970 he was on the founding committee for the New South Wales All School Championships.

Laurie continued by officiating New South Wales Schools and New South Wales Australian Athletes' Alliance Inc. meets. He worked during the world junior championships and was recognised internationally as an Oceania International Association of Athletes Federations area technical official. 
Laurie has also held senior technical official appointments at two Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. This is by no means a conclusive list of Laurie's achievements; in fact, it barely scratches the surface. Laurie is an absolute inspiration to those around him. He has always shown that he is willing to work. Indeed, Laurie has inspired a generation of youth athletes from my community.