HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Subject Index
Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-09-10 Daily Xml
Contents
Pdf Xml

FITZSIMONS, MR D.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (16:18): On behalf of the state opposition I acknowledge the sad passing of Mr David Fitzsimons and extend my sympathy to his family and friends. He was one of South Australia's, and indeed one of Australia's, finest sportsmen and an athlete of great ability. His domination of Australia's distance running is unparalleled, winning eight Australian championships over the 5,000 and 10,000 metres distances in the late 1970s, including the 5,000 metres/10,000 metres double on three separate occasions.

Mr Fitzsimons represented his country at two Olympic Games—at Montreal in 1976 and Moscow in 1980. He also competed at the Commonwealth Games in 1974 and 1978. The 1977 World Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany, marked the pinnacle of David's athletic career, when he won the Bronze Medal in the 5,000 metres in a South Australian record time that still stands to this very day. This South Australian record also makes him the third fastest Australian over 5,000 metres for all time—a truly remarkable achievement. David's two other South Australian records—for the 3,000 metres and the 10,000 metres—still stand, having been set 20 years ago. David is also a member of the Athletic South Australian Hall of Fame.

Mr Fitzsimons' athletics career and lifelong involvement with the sport have left a great legacy for coming generations of sportspeople. Despite his long list of achievements, Mr  Fitzsimons' legacy is that he gave back more to the sport than he ever took from it. A highly regarded man, he also carved out a very successful engineering career in the service of South Australia's transport needs.

My colleague the member for Frome, the Hon. Rob Kerin, speaks very highly of Mr Fitzsimons, having known him for many years. He tells me that David came from a wonderful family who instilled in him a great sense of community spirit. Mr Fitzsimons was educated at Christian Brothers College in the late 1960s. David and his family have been highly regarded for their involvement in the community. During this time of sadness, we extend our sympathies to his family and friends and thank them for his wonderful life.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT