At the 2021 Queensland Athletics annual general meeting, its long-standing president, Des Johnston announced he would be standing down from the role but to the relief of many, Des has remained on the board and continues to offer advice and assurance to his fellow board members. Des was first elected as a board member of QA in 2011 and soon after, in early 2012, after the tragic loss of his good friend and then president, Reg Brandis, was elected as the Association’s president.

At that time the membership of QA was around 4,800. Nine years on the number was almost 15,000 with the State now leading the national figures. There had been significant increases in participation in shield meets and championships and QA is in a sound financial position. The association is very active in the recreational running space with the innovative Qrun program. As president, Des led a Board that was focused on the best outcomes for athletes. Significantly, the once fractured relationship with Athletics North Queensland became a partnership based on trust and common goals for our sport.

Des led and worked with the Board to implement several successful projects. The first, and perhaps most critical, was to unite what had been at times a divided association, the relationships are not only vastly improved but arguably demonstrate the best practice example of how the diverse needs of regional and metropolitan athletics can work together for the greater good. The always approachable Des can be seen on the track officiating most weekends in the summer and at cross country during the winter. He received AQ Merit Award in 2014 and AA’s silver award for 20 years service as an official and administrator the following year. Des started his career in athletics whilst still a Queensland schoolteacher - a profession in which he proudly worked in from 1960 through until his retirement in 1997.

As a well-known schoolteacher in the Ipswich area, Des contributed to School Sport Queensland over a 30-year period. During that time Des was a coach and manager for Queensland Primary School teams traveling to Australian Championships from 1968 through to 1996. His commitment to school sport was legendary in his home State where he was the chair of Queensland Primary School Track and Field from 1992 until 1996. He also brought his considerable skill to assist in administration, ultimately to act as chair of Queensland Primary Track and Field Championships from 1990. With the Sydney Olympics on the horizon, the late 1990s also saw Des turn his attention and skills to officiating, ultimately achieving AA;s highest grading level as a track official. He was quickly recognized and was appointed as a technical official at the 2000 Games. Des has also played an ongoing and significant role at many national championships where he is highly regarded not only for his own skills but for his commitment to mentoring others and in particular guiding newcomers to the national scene.

In addition to being an umpire at the Sydney Olympics and Paralympics, his abilities continued to be recognised through appointments to the 2001 Goodwill Games (as assistant chief umpire) and 2004 Oceania Championships (assistant track referee). There were also key roles at the 2006 and 2018 editions of the Commonwealth Games as assistant chief umpire and assistant outside events referee. Twenty year later, Des continues significant contributions in officiating, turning out like clockwork at club and school meets. Often seen in the role of track referee, Des’ calm and friendly manner is particularly appreciated by athletes. At national level, Des has made substantial contributions both as an administrator and technical official. As Queensland president and delegate to AA, his quiet and patient approach has always been considered and valuable. Des Johnston has been a major contributor to all aspects of our sport from the grassroots to national and area level for over 50 years and has the absolute respect of his peers, making him an excellent candidate for consideration for life membership of Athletics Australia.