Last week, South Australia’s Ivan Golding was honoured with the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the annual Australian Day Honours List.
The current chair of Motorcycling Australia’s (MA) Track Commission, the 88-year-old South Australian is honoured with the OAM for his outstanding services throughout his life dedicated to both Australian Speedway racing and the wider sport of motorcycling.
This prominent award recognition is a reflection of an exceptional history within the sport of Motorcycling and the discipline of Speedway for nearly 70 years. From humble beginnings riding around an oval track at Murray Bridge, Golding soon became a wealth of knowledge in the discipline and with a passion for promoting and developing the sport that has well and truly continued to this day.
With his passion for the sport, it was no surprise Ivan would progress from competing in the sport to utilizing his skills within the administration behind the scenes of the sport. Over his extensive history within the sport of Motorcycling, Ivan has dedicated himself as an MA Board Member, MA Councillor, President of Motorcycling South Australia, and President of the Murray Bridge Motorcycle Club.
Not only working behind the scenes in the sporting structure, Ivan’s impressive CV of qualifications and endorsements include Referee, Clerk of Course, Scrutineer, Starter, and age certainly not slowing him down; he continues to utilize them all.
Speedway, however, was always a constant passion and lure despite his many years in the sport overall. Currently, he is spending his golden years in volunteer roles as the Chair of the MA Track Commission, the President of the Speedway Riders Association of South Australia, and the current president of his beloved Gillman Speedway Stadium, which leads the way in hosting National Level Senior speedway competitions within SA, including the recent 2024 Oceania Speedway Championships.
Reflecting on the award, Ivan said, “I am extremely humbled and had no idea I would receive such an honour. I have loved every minute since I started back in 1983. I certainly don’t do any of this for awards but hope the sport gets more recognition through this award, instead of me.”
In Golding’s true fashion of modesty, he has supported the sport over the last three decades by sponsoring many riders who competed both nationally and internationally. All with the goal of giving back to the sport that he has loved and no want for recognition in the process.
We couldn’t think of a harder-working, more passionate, and deserving figure in the sport. Congratulations to Ivan Golding OAM!