Q&A with Andrea Benton, 1993 Women’s Gift winner

Date: 22nd March 2023

What does it mean to be a Stawell Gift Winner?

The inaugural women’s Stawell Gift 100m race was established in 1989, in accordance with the metric system and was on a different track to the men’s 120m event.

In winning the 5th year of the event, I was one of the trailblazers who helped to bolster the event to what it is today. I also contributed to my family’s history on the pro circuit.

It was very special for me to win in front of my family cheering from the grandstand, especially my grandfather who had won several pro races, including the 70 and 100 yards at the Keilor Gift in 1945.

The prize money from these races must have been substantial, as he put it towards the deposit of his family home in West Brunswick.

 Can you talk us through the race?

To be honest, I couldn’t really remember all the details, until a friend sent me the video of the 1993 Women’s Stawell Gift 100m race, enabling me to revisit it.

I recall being fairly relaxed during my warm up and on the blocks. Though, I can’t say the same for my coach, Warren Bradley, as I heard later that he was nervous, but he never let on to me. 

Several of my competitors in the final were sprinting well in the amateur circuit. And it was an honour to have Melinda Gainsford-Taylor present me with my ivory sash. 

What were you doing at the time, training with whom and where?

In the early nineties my brother Dean Benton encouraged me to reinvigorate my interest in sprinting. It was 1993, at the age of twenty-two, that I won the women’s 100m, coached by Warren Bradley. Our squad, including Anna Deary (Pasquali) trained on one of the ovals at Essendon Grammar school.

On an adjoining oval Don Furness coached the male-only squad, including Robbie Furness and Anthony McWhinney, who were particularly encouraging.

Why is it the one everyone wants to win?

Only 33 women have won the women’s race, which was brought into the fold of events at the prestigious and long-standing Stawell Gift. This annual event is the pinnacle of the pro-circuit in Victoria and admired by interstate and overseas associations. 

How has it helped you in your life and career?

The process I undertook reinforced that I achieved the goal of winning this race through being dedicated to it with hard work and making sacrifices. I had to forego social functions due to training and was appreciative of a dedicated and selfless coach, in addition to an awesome training squad. 

I have always applied the principles of working hard and utilising resources around me to achieve my goals and in supporting others at the same time.

How do you feel coming back to Stawell?

I am delighted to be attending my first Sash Club function where I’ll, no doubt, catch up with old friends. I may need help recognising faces and remembering names, so it would be helpful if they looked like they did thirty years ago!

I am also looking forward to seeing how the Central Park event has evolved and to watch emerging athletes. I admit, I will be envious of the $40k prize money now awarded to the winner of the 120m women’s race. My prize money of $700 was presented as a cheque, which I had to deposit and wait three days for bank clearance, after which I shared the money with my sister in a shopping spree at Myer.

Are you still involved in pro running and athletics? 

Though I’m not directly involved in pro running, I keep an active interest via nephews Matt and Michael Dinan, who won the 2022 Stawell Gift 400m backmarkers and frontmarkers respectively.  And I was so proud of my niece, Georgia Benton, winning the U14 100m last year too. 

Currently, I enjoy watching our daughter and son achieve in their own chosen sports. Both have a natural running ability, which I hope they may fully realise later and, in having a different surname to myself, they may be able to fly under the radar.

Any memories you would like to highlight?

Over the years I competed, I thoroughly enjoyed travelling interstate and to regional towns. The camaraderie and social part of pro running was fantastic. I also hold fond memories of all squads and some officials celebrating the end of the season at the Stawell Brix Hotel. 

I had a good relationship with the VAL officials at Stawell; they were always gentlemen. At other pro meetings, it was nice to be greeted by the broadcaster, George Underwood “Hello Miss Benton” when arriving at the track.  Actually, I ran into George in Geelong recently and we reminisced about past races.

One highlight of the pro circuit was witnessing Cathy Freeman in the red win the 400m off scratch.  She continues to be such an inspiring woman for young athletes.

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