By Brosnan Kelly

HASTINGS GIFT

SATURDAY 13 March saw the third running of the Hastings Gift carnival.

After a tough and trying 2020, not even saturating conditions could deter athletes from around the country from flocking to the Thomas Barclay Oval for a display of competitive professional athletics.

“We would like to thank our sponsors Mornington Peninsula Shire, AGL, Port of Hastings Development Authority, Tuckett Tyrepower Hastings, Jack Engineering P/L, Westernport Innate Chiropractic and Peninsula Heating, Cooling & Electrical for their continued support,” said event organiser, Terry Kelly.

The Hastings Gift is organised by a local community based group, ‘Peninsula Athletics Association Incorporated’.

The event was initiated in 2018 to raise awareness of Hastings and attract tourism to the Western Port and the Mornington Peninsula areas, as well as aiding in the continuity of the richly historic sport of Professional Athletics.

The AGL Hastings Women’s Gift was run and won by a young, yet seasoned professional in Hanna Duynhoven in a time of 14.71 seconds. The AGL Hastings Men’s Gift was taken out by another regular professional athlete Matt Burleigh in 13.01 seconds. Both of these athletes are regular competitors in the Victorian Athletic League and will be incredibly entertaining and eagerly anticipated at this year’s Stawell Easter Gift.

In its first two years The Hastings Gift has already produced two winning athletes in a Stawell Gift final, in Dhruv Rodriguez Chico (2018 Men’ Gift) and Sophia Fighera (2019 Women’s Gift).

A healthy omen for these two stellar performing athletes in 2021.

“We wish Hanna and Matt a great rest of the season and best of luck, as well as all competitors on the day,” said Mr Kelly.

First published in the Mornington News – 23 March 2021