Top award to John Gibbons

By Louise Ahearn

The 1968 Vuw Sportsman of the Year has been awarded to John Gerald Gibbons, a rugby and rowing blue.

John was unable to be present because he is in Mexico to represent New Zealand in the rowing.

John was also absent in 1966 when he was first awarded the cup.

The cup was presented to John's father, Mr Gerald Gibbons, by the Chief Justice, Sir Richard Wild, at the fourth annual Blues' Dinner held on Wednesday in the Student Union Cafe.

In his reply, Mr Gibbons said that his son had said that while he was in Mexico he would try to bring further honour to New Zealand and to Victoria.

John had worked extremely hard, devoting himself to everything he took in hand, he said. He felt really thrilled that his son had been presented with the award as he 'realised it was not given lightly.

The terms of the ward of Sportsman of the Year are: 1. Prowess in sport. 2. Versatility in sport; and 3. Contribution to sport in the University.

The 1968 Blues Awards were presented by the Chancellor. Mr R. S. V. Simpson, and the Vice-Chancellor, Dr D. B. C. Taylor.

The address was given by Mr John Reid.

A Blue was a great responsibility when one became involved with pressure groups, who would use the recipient's name to add weight to some particular issue of their own, Mr Reid said.

"I am appalled at the amount of use pressure groups are making of the sportsmen of the world, he said. Sport should remain above the political level.

"The Olympic Games have bowed down to politics, and I am very sad." Mr Reid said. "The way the Press jumped on Ron Jarden's recent comment is a case in point," he said.

The Olympic Games should and could be a level at which men and women of all colours could meet and compete against each other without having to look over their shoulders, he said.

Prue Chapman (swimming blue), Penny Haworth (athletics blue), Rob Walker (swimming and water polo blue), Rod Trott (rowing and rugby blue) were also on the short list for the award.

The evening was attended by nearly 100 people, including many old blues.

After cocktails, a five-course meal was served.

It was hoped that next year (the fifth annual dinner) and every following five years, the nines Evening would be a gala occasion, the Sports Committee chairman, Mr Corry, said.