The 1948 Burnie Gift trophy and sash won by Thirlstane farmer Kevin Iles has been donated to the Burnie Athletic Club by his son, Geoff.
The memorabilia, which also included a scrapbook and some photos from the day, was handed over to BAC Board Chair Joe Vaszocz and Club Patron Bruce Clark recently and it will soon be on permanent display in the clubrooms at West Park.
Kevin Iles won the gift off the front mark of 15 yards beating a field which included football legend Arthur Hodgson, who went on to play for VFL club Carlton where he won a club best and fairest before returning to Ulverstone and guiding the Robins to four NWFU premierships and the State premiership in 1955.
It was the fourth Burnie Gift final Iles ran in and followed a third place in 1946.
Geoff Iles said his father also won the 440 yards that day becoming the first sprinter to do the carnival double on the same day.
“He also wanted to run in another sprint race, but his coach did not let him because he thought it would be too hard,” Geoff recalled.
Mr Iles said he was unsure how much his father received for winning the gift – believed to be about 150 pounds – but it was more than enough to buy a tractor for his farm.
“It was the first tractor in the district,” he said.
The success on the day also got to Mr Iles senior’s father, with his grandson suggesting the older man was “a little tipsy” by the time they got back home after celebrating, something which was very much out of character.
Mr Iles said he had approached the club earlier this year to see if the BAC was interested in the trophy and sash as he thought it was better for it to be displayed more widely than just in his Launceston residence.
“I was looking at it one day and I thought ‘Why is it here?’” he explained.
“Surely it would be better displayed somewhere rather than being in a cupboard.
“Because it was always a very hard race to win.”
Mr Vaszocz said the club was delighted to be able to display the trophy and sash.
“Such memorabilia is important to the club and to be able to display a trophy and sash from almost eight decades ago is very pleasing for the BAC,” he said.
“We are grateful to the Iles family for entrusting them to the club and they can rest assured we will take good care of the items.”
CAPTION: Board Chair Joe Vaszocz (centre) and Patron Bruce Clark (left) receive the gift trophy and sash from Geoff Iles