As the Southern Downs woke to the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on August 3, local athletes were the proud recipients of three gold and one bronze medal.
While the local council area is 0.135 per cent of Australia, this success was four percent of national individual gold medals. Australia won 65 gold medals, 42 silver and 52 bronze.
Stanthorpe's Ben Armbruster moved locally with his parents, Scott and Shannon and older sister, Linley at the age of four. In the same year, started his swimming career under coach Gail Smail.
Armbruster tied for first with Australian teammate Kyle Chalmers, both winning gold in the 50m butterfly. The local athlete also won gold for Australia in the medley relay and bronze in the 100m butterfly. Together, the winning pair set a new Commonwealth record for the 50m butterfly.
Matthew Denny lived at Allora before moving to Brisbane after Year 12 to follow an athletics dream. He became the first athlete to win back-to-back discus title in the Commonwealth Games for 68 years.
Denny was dominant in the discus and five of his throws would have won gold but unfortunately, his sixth throw was a foul.
The achievements of Armbruster and Denny are even more memorable considering they didn’t move to the metropolitan or coastal areas until after Year 12. This shows what can be achieved from even a rural outlook with determination, community and family support, and consistent coaching.
Both local athletes are regular visitors to their hometowns and help in the community when time permits.
Denny was coached in Toowoomba too, after Year 12, along with practice on the discus and hammer throw ring he and his father, John built on the family farm at Allora.
Legendary Stanthorpe Swimming Club coach Gail Smail remembers when the champion swimmer was proficient in all strokes by the age of six.
In another memorable moment of the Games, Denny carried his son, Roman, trackside after his gold medal win. His wife, Mia was at the games along with Armbruster’s parents.
