Kimberley Meagher looks back 20 years

Date: 29th March 2023

Kimberley can’t forget her win in the Women’s Gift at Stawell 20 years ago as she continues to be reminded on a regular basis.

“It is strange to think that it was 20 years ago, but it was a huge moment in my life then and it still is today. The currency of winning at Stawell never diminishes, it is not something I mention much, but those who do know love to tell others, ‘Kim’s a Stawell Gift winner’.

“A few years ago at work, Dr Bridie O’Donnell (SBS commentator and author) introduced herself to me because my CEO had mentioned in a meeting that I was a former Stawell Gift winner.” 

In 2003 the Women’s Gift was still 100m and the winner of Fashions on the Field received more prize money. Kimberley knows that because she won her 3rd Stawell sash two years later at the Fashions in 1995.

Kimberley recalls her season leading up to the win:

“Every athletic season was geared for Stawell. My coach, Nick Fiedler, would train us so that we would peak for a key race mid-season and again at Stawell. 

“2002/03 was a good season, I came first in the Moonee Valley Women’s 200m, second in the Rye Womens 120m, second in the Ringwood Women’s 100m, and third in the Women’s 120m at Bright, finishing up with the win in the Women’s 100m at Stawell. 

“I was nervous for weeks before Stawell and couldn’t talk or think about it without a bout of overwhelming nervousness. However, once I stepped on the track at Central Park to do some light run throughs on Good Friday, it was down to business, treading the well-worn traditions of every Easter, focusing only on the race before me. 

“And when my teammates came screaming onto the track post final surrounding me in almighty hugs and joy, it was the sweetest moment of victory.”

Winning at Stawell in 2002/3 was the beginning of four successful pro running seasons before Kimberley retired in 2007 to go overseas. Her memorable wins included back-to-back Stawell sashes with a nail-biting win in the 400m, successful campaigns at Bay Sheffield and Whyalla in South Australia, Bendigo and Ballarat sashes and second place at Rye three years in a row.

And on her win in the fashion show: “A friend had gifted me a gorgeous Zimmerman dress and it seemed perfect for Fashions on the Field, and clearly the judges thought so too. This win marked my third Stawell sash in a row!”

Today Kimberley works at Creative Victoria in infrastructure strategy and development. She is also President of the Professional Historians Association (Victoria & Tasmania).

Kimberley is pictured here with from left to right: Nick Fiedler, Anne Fiedler (nee – Fearnley), Marieke Kern, Cara White and Katie Moore

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