Dick Walpole 1960

Dick Walpole

Dick joined the Myrtleford Ski Club in 1943 and was made a Life Member in 1960 in recognition of his selection in the Australian team that competed in the Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley in 1960, however he also competed for the club with distinction and served for many years on the committee. 

He was first elected as a committee member in 1948 and served continuously until 1962 filling the role of Vice President for five of those years before finally serving as President in 1962.  Dick also returned as President in the early 1980s.

Dick competed for the Myrtleford Ski Club for a number years in the N.E.D.S.A. winning many titles with the first being the 1947 Downhill title.  Dick competed in the trials for the 1956 Winter Olympic Alpine Ski team but his form was so bad that he decided to try Nordic skiing and was immediately successful. He won the Victorian Langlauf championship in 1957 and 1958 and the National Langlauf championship in 1958.  All this culminated in his selection in the 1960 Winter Olympic team.  Dick returned from the Olympics and repeated the Victorian and National double in 1960.