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President’s Tan Talk – April 2026
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President’s Tan Talk – April 2026
A perfect autumn morning for running greeted VRR members and friends on the first Saturday in April.
40th Anniversary of the Russell Street bombing
On 27th March 2026, on the 40th Anniversary of the Russell Street bombing, which resulted in the death of Constable Angela Rose Taylor, Bill Noonan and I attended an Anniversary Service at the Victoria Police Academy. As long-time VRR members are aware, we subsequently created the Angela Taylor Memorial Run and Walk, which has been a very successful event over all those years, now under the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon banner, with Victorian Road Runners continuing to organise the conduct of the event.
The Anniversary Service was well-conducted, led by another (now former) policewoman injured and emotionally damaged on that day, who recounted that day and its subsequent consequences. Angela Taylor was the first Victoria Police female member killed in the line of duty. The event changed Victoria forever. Reference was made to the Memorial Run / Walk’s fund-raising, providing Intensive Care facilities at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where Angela died.
All speakers spoke very well, including Marilyn’s mum and brother, and Chief Commissioner Mike Bush.
Bill Noonan and I were proud to represent Victorian Road Runners at this very important event. We should all be proud of our club’s contribution to honouring Angela Rose Taylor’s service, her memory, and her legacy.
The 2026 Angela Taylor Memorial Run / Walk is on Sunday 3rd May. We are seeking volunteers to be marshals on the day. Contact me on 0411191115. |
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| The Official Party at the Anniversary Service, including Police Chief Commissioner, Mike Bush. |
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| Angela’s mother, Marilyn and brother Mark |
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VRR AGM
Immediately after the Tan Time Trial we held our AGM. Key points:
- Twelve Tan Time Trial, New Years Eve fun run, and Angela Taylor Memorial Run / Walk were conducted
- We chose to make VRR caps available to VRR members without cost, and charged no entry to the NYE Fun Run
- We incurred a minor deficit of $2,393, with a balance sheet of $25,003
Lynn Kisler advised the following running information:
- VRR members and friends completed more than 3,700 km in TTT’s in 2025
- Highest attendance was 69 participants, lowest was 43
- 691 TTT’s were completed, 453 4km, 238 8km
- Fastest 8km TTT were Paul McConnochie (34:25) and Annabel Rafferty (39:10)
- Fastest 4km TTT were Sam Kerr (14:53) and Amanda Louw (15:44)
- Ten runners completed all 12 Tan Time Trials.
- NYE fun run had 87 participants, including (as ever) a number of international visitors.
Most importantly, thanks were extended to Lynn Kisler, Graham Prossor, Rowan Cole, Sally Browne, Helen Myall, Rod Opie, Ross Rennick and John Macmillan for their contributions to Victorian Road Runners, which are much appreciated.
All contributors are continuing on, many thanks.
Michael Kennedy
VRR President |
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| The photos below are just a few of the ones posted on facebook by the club photographer, Helen Myall (thanks heaps, Helen) |
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Start of the April 2026 TTT
( 57 participants in total) |
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| First timer, Jet Gainsmith was first to complete the 8TTT this month.
Hopefully, we’ll see you again. |
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| VRR member, Russell Bulman looked to be enjoying the morning. |
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| VRR’s ‘Marathon Champ, Jane Strurzaker has had a few niggling injuries lately, so it was really good to see her doing a lap in April. |
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| VRR member, James Yatomi-Clarke (mentioned in the article from Stephen Barker) looks to be doing it comfortably. |
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One of our younger entrants, Jordan Dimitrovici was the first to finish the 4km event.
Well done Jordan. |
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| Not quite first to finish, but enjoying the morning nevertheless, were Anthony Doran (L) and Doug Adeney (R) |
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| Stephen Barker’s Marathon Story
The attached article by Stephen Barker tells a remarkable tale of how Stephen started running Marathons and why he is now chasing his 100th. |
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| VRR Members receive special awards at the annual ‘Run for the Kids’ event. |
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| Gary Turner (L) and Michael Musgrove were awarded special gold medals for becoming 20 year Titans, having completed all 20 events. Also completing the long course of 14.4kms were Kim Owens, Ken Smith, Ken Miller and Liz Wrigley. |
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| Gary (L) and Ken Smith (R) |
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Each year the Victorian Road Runners have supported the Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk either as participants or as traffic marshals.
VRR tries to provide 6-8 traffic marshals for this event.
If you are available to volunteer please contact the VRR President, Michael Kennedy on 0411 191 115 |
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Event Background
The Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk started in 1989. This community event welcomes individual runners, walkers, juniors, adults and seniors. There’s a category to match all levels of fitness.At 1.00pm on Thursday the 27 March 1986, a car bomb exploded outside the police complex in Russell Street Melbourne. As a result, young Constable Angela Rose Taylor took the full force of the explosion and on 20 April 1986 died in hospital. Angela was committed to helping others in the community, our police and emergency services continue to demonstrate those values. The Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk continues to be held in honour of Angela and all Victoria Police members who lost their lives serving and protecting our community. |
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Vale John Counsell
John sadly passed away Tueday 24th March at the age of 82. He was a member of Victorian Road Runners for many years and those that remember John will have memories of him running with his beloved dogs, Espy and then Luna. His good friend and fellow VRR member, Marianne Martin was with him for most of his Tan Time Trials and worked with him for many years before he retired as a cardiologist at the age of 80.
R.I.P. John |
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| Mother’s Day Classic Event Sunday May 10th 2026.
Another charity event that you may be interested in, the weekend following the Angela Taylor, Sunday May 10th…..
The Mothers Day Classic – use the button below to access the website.
This event is a walk or run over 4/8/12 or half marathon distances.
You can enter as an individual or as part of a VRR team, in partnership with City Precinct (which is a City of Melbourne initiative for postcode 3000 businesses).
The team name is City Precinct x Victorian Road Runners (but a search on just ‘Victorian’ will bring it up)
Either way you can use the promo code MDCMELB10 to gain a 10% discount on the entry fee for being a VRR member (enter the promo code as the last step on the entry form also the team entry option comes up towards the end of the entry).
Or if you can’t make it on the day, you can donate individually or to support the VRR team – City Precinct x Victorian Road Runners via the website.
So many options…. |
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Member Details
A message from the treasurer.For some years now, the VRR has engaged with members by Facebook and email.
We do not have emails on file for all members.
If you are unsure, you can check whether we have an email on file at the next Tan, or send your email to the Treasurer at rojacami@bigpond.com
Thanks Rowan Cole |
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WE WERE WRONG!
In previous information about membership renewals we advised you to email the payment details tovrrcontact@gmail.com
this is actually the address of an enterprise in India.
The correct email address is
vicrrcontact@gmail.com |
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VRR LIFE MEMBERS
Stephen Barker, Kevin Browne*, Sally Browne, Tony Doran, Graham Edwards, Jenny Field, Peter Field, Vern Gerlach*, Peter Gunn*, Don Hampshire*, Eileen Helmers*, Frank Helmers*, Betty Horskins, Graeme Horskins, Mike Kennedy, Lynn Kisler, Greig McEwan, Ross Martin*, Vin Martin, John Morris, Helen Myall, Peter Nicoll*, Bill Noonan, Brian O’Dea, Rod Opie, Graham Prossor, Melissa Groves, Doug Stokes, Brian Toomey*, Stuart White, Robert Wilson, Judy Wines*, Tom Worrell* and Val Worrell.
(* dec) |
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Can you ask your running friends if they are receiving their email copy of Stride Out.
If they aren’t, can you get them to send me an email (gprossor@bigpond.net.au) asking to be put on the distribution list. |
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