Petition calls for grandstand to be named after athletics coach

A POPULAR footrace has already been renamed in his honour and now a Bendigo athlete is leading the charge for another permanent reminder to celebrate the life of the late Neil Macdonald.

Bendigo Athletic Club (BAC) runner Michael Preece has started a petition calling on the City of Greater Bendigo to name a grandstand at Tom Flood Sports Centre after the popular athletics coach and men’s health advocate, who died on Monday 21 April, aged 81.

Mr Macdonald’s death came 11 weeks after he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

Organisers of the annual Dragon Mile race – run every Easter in Bendigo – had already agreed to rename the race in the weeks before his death, in recognition of the countless volunteer hours he put into organising the event.

The name change will take effect from 2026.

Explaining the inspiration behind the petition, Mr Preece said his was one of thousands of Bendigo lives touched by Mr Macdonald’s friendship, wisdom and generosity.

“Over the span of five decades, Neil dedicated himself to the Tom Flood Sports Centre, coaching and encouraging countless middle and long-distance runners, including myself,” he said.

“Beyond athletics, Neil was a pillar of community support.

“He generously invested his time, energy and resources as the long-term president of the Bendigo and District Prostate Cancer Support Group.

“His leadership in this role was instrumental in raising over a million dollars for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, which continues to provide invaluable resources for those affected by this disease.”

Mr Macdonald was diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago.

Mr Preece said the idea to start a petition stemmed from a conversation between a group of running mates, all of whom had been trained by Mr Macdonald.

“I am sure if we get enough signatures, the council at least have to look at it,” he said.

“Especially considering what Neil did around town with things like Bendigo Biggest Blokes Lunch for prostate cancer, and all that he has done for athletics and other parts of the community.

“We feel he is worthy of something like his name on a grandstand.

“We’ll be stoked if it happens.”

 

Home to cycling and athletics and other sports, the Tom Flood Sports Centre already has one stand named after a prominent former sportsperson – Frank McCaig.

The first Bendigo cyclist to win the Golden Mile Wheelrace and the first to win his hometown classic three times, McCaig was influential in starting the Bendigo International Madison.

Mr Preece, who made history by claiming the BAC’s club champion and aggregate awards in the same year in the club’s 50th year in 2024, could not speak highly enough of his former coach’s athletics prowess.

“In all honesty, he was probably the best technician going around,” he said.

“I came to him when my running form was what you could describe as very poor, and he spent hours and hours trying the correct techniques to make you a more relaxed runner. He was arguably one of the best in that sense.

“Better still, he would always give you the time of day.

“If you said you were keen to do a training session Saturday morning at 6am, he would be there at 5.30am setting up for you.

“He always put the athlete first.

“Both him and fellow coach John Burke never charged their athletes one cent during their 40-odd years of coaching.

“They never got a penny out of it.

“The fact he was so selfless and so giving and only did it for the satisfaction of seeing us achieve things with our running and life, this petition is a way for us to thank him for all he’s done.”

Mr Macdonald had a long involvement with the Bendigo Harriers.

He was a life member and served many terms as president.

Mr Preece said he is stoked to see the Dragon Mile be renamed the Neil Macdonald Dragon Mile from next year, an honour the man himself was made aware of before his passing.

To sign the petition, visit change.org and search Neil Macdonald.

Updates and further details are available from the Neil Macdonald Grandstand Facebook page.

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