Warren Parr will carry the Queen’s Baton for Wingham with pride on February 2, 2018 in Forster as the baton makes its way to the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
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Warren, who lives in Killawarra, was nominated by his wife Eileen for the honour of being a baton bearer on day 39 of the 100 day baton relay around Australia.
It was while sorting through old photo albums that Eileen was motivated to put Warren’s name forward for the national call out for baton bearers.
She admits she did it for their two grandchildren.
”I said ‘oh you have done a bit, there’s some history here.’”
Eileen was referring to Warren’s impressive sporting track record which saw the 65-year-old break numerous records and represent Australia in the 110m hurdles in three Commonwealth Games and the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
In 1982 he was captain of an Australian athletic team which toured Europe and the UK and in 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal by the Governor-General alongside such athletes as Cathy Freeman and Rod Laver.
Warren had an encouraging start to his international sporting career in 1973, a year after marrying Eileen, when he placed second at the Pacific Conference Games. The following year he placed fourth at the Commonwealth Games and by 1976 was an Olympic semi finalist.
However he nearly hadn’t made the successful transition from star school athlete to having a professional sporting career.
For two years his performance floundered in what he calls a “stagnant period.”
Luckily he had the mental strength to push through, change his attitude and find a coach who believed in him.
“I realised I wasn’t going to have this opportunity for ever,” said Warren.
“I chose to seize it.”
Now Warren is on the Australian Olympic Committee and has been secretary of the NSW Olympians Club for the past nine years.
He is very proud of the mentoring programs developed by the AOC that help young athletes.
Warren and Eileen retired to Killawarra six years ago and Warren is paying it forward by coaching two young hurdlers in Taree.
“It’s fantastic,” said Warren.
“I reflect their enthusiasm and to see them personally develop is inspiring.”
Taree High’s Nicholas Gilbert and Nicola Searles train for the 110m hurdles on just 40m of synthetic track set aside for the long jump.
Yet despite the lack of facilities these young athletes, who train twice a week, are returning some impressive results.
Warren can relate to their struggles.
He cites juggling the responsibilities of being a young married man with a mortgage, a full training schedule and a day job as a mechanic, for developing the discipline to succeed.
