| Geelong, Victoria will host the 12th Annual Australian | | | | 5th December 2008 |
| Masters Games between February 20th – March | | | | The Patron of the Geelong Australian Masters Games |
| 1st 2009. An estimated 10,000 competitors are | | | | is Mr John Landy AC, MBE whose childhood was |
| expected to compete in over 60 sports across 80 | | | | spent in Geelong and was only the second man to |
| venues in the City of Greater Geelong and the | | | | break the 4 minute mile record in 1954 after Roger |
| surrounding districts. | | | | Bannister. The Games official Ambassadors include Mr |
| The Australian Masters Games began in 1987 in | | | | Frank Costs OAM, a prominent Geelong businessman |
| Tasmania and have since been held biennially in | | | | and President of the Geelong Football Club and Mr |
| various cities around Australia. They are run by the | | | | Russell Mark, a prominent Australian Olympian. |
| Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) whose moto | | | | Geelong is located approximately 75 km’s from the |
| is ‘Sport for All’. Competitors over the age of | | | | Victorian State Capital of Melbourne and is located |
| 30 from both Australia and New Zealand are eligible to | | | | overlooking on the picturesque Corio Bay. As |
| compete in events designed to encourage both social | | | | Victoria’s second largest city it is steeped in history |
| interaction, camaraderie and the lifelong participation in | | | | and is the gateway to such iconic Australian tourism |
| the various sports. | | | | destinations as the Twelve Apostles, The Otway |
| Events will include the traditional track and field events | | | | Ranges and the Bellarine Peninsula. |
| plus several new additions including surfing, outrigger | | | | Accommodation for the games should be booked |
| canoeing, golf pitch and putt, BMX and Speedway. | | | | early via the Geelong Accommodation website. You |
| Competitors can register their interest online from 23 | | | | will also find this site a useful source of local and |
| June 2008, with last entries being accepted on Friday | | | | regional information. |