Sports high honour

“It’s the top of the tree, number one,” he says. Mr Wiseman, 62, of Vale Park, was awarded the OAM this week for his services to athletics and school sports.

Mr Wiseman taught Physical Education at Hamilton Secondary College and Croydon High and has served as a coach and administrator on numerous sporting boards, including his current position as national cross country secretary with School Sport Australia.

“It’s about putting things back into the sport that has given you so much enjoyment,” he says of his dedication to athletics.

Mr Wiseman is “very proud” of his OAM, and all those who helped him achieve it.

“It is about all of those people you have touched on the way. Those who have helped you are part of it too because you can’t do it on your own.

“You can have a vision but you’ve got to be able to make sure you have good people around you to help you achieve those things.”

Mr Wiseman grew up in Whyalla after moving from Scotland, aged 14. He was inspired to take up high jumping by two of his teachers.

“They were inspirational these two blokes ... I took to them like a duck to water.”

He has often planned to retire completely but says it is his competitve edge that keeps him involved.

“Everything I do there has to be a reason for doing it, and everything I do I accept as a challenge.”