ROBERT BALLARD

Robert came second in the 1985 Bill Howard 100m, but within a year he was representing Australia as a 400m runner in the Olympic Games.

He also took part in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

At Stawell he came second in the 1986 Gift, third in the 1997 Gift and fourth in the 1998 final.

However he was to make the Backmarkers Invitation Sprint his own by winning the event in three successive years – 1987 to 1989.

Three wins, three seconds and one third round off a successful career.