Gordon Young Memorial Prize

Gordon Young was appointed Director of the National Fitness Council in 1933 and simultaneously took on the role of Director of Physical Education. Young was recruited from Canada and his vision and ‘missionary zeal’ became legendary. In his time he established National Fitness Camps, Vacation Play Centres, After School Play Centres, Leadership Training programs, state-wide Learn to Swim programs and was instrumental in the introduction of tertiary trained Physical Education teachers.

In recalling the work of Gordon Young, particularly in relation to National Fitness camps, Ewens (1994:33) noted that ‘the development of National Fitness Camps was a saga of innovation, improvisation, scheming, contriving and hard work’ Young established the principle of community and state partnerships that were to be the hallmarks of his administration. Rotary clubs, Apex Clubs, Legacy and philanthropic organisations like the Wakehurst Club all made valuable contributions to the development of National Fitness Camps; their volunteers built facilities, raised funds and imbued camps with a degree of social consciousness.

The School is honoured to receive the bequest and will seek to ensure the work of Gordon Young becomes more widely recognised.