Commonwealth Games Australia mourns the passing of Victorian State Division President John Higham OAM following a recent illness.
John was a four-time Australian champion, with three consecutive victories over 800m (1977-79) and in 1978 he won the 400m/800m double at the Australian Championships.
John represented Australia at the Edmonton 1978 Commonwealth Games, where he won a bronze medal in the 4x400m (with Garry Brown, Chum Darvall and Rick Mitchell), finished 7th in the 800m final and reached the quarter final of the 400m.
John was selected for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow but chose not to compete. He still holds the Melbourne University Athletics Club 400m record with 45.7secs.
Following his competition days, John was active as a volunteer administrator, serving as President of Athletics Essendon during the 1990’s and as Athletics Victoria President (1997-2002) in addition to his role as President of Commonwealth Games Australia’s Victorian division.
John received an Order of Australia Medal in 2014 for services to athletics as an administrator.
Commonwealth Games Australia extends its sympathies to John’s family, friends and teammates.
