After a lifetime spent in service of fitness and health among the Crookwell community, Bruce Belford was recently awarded a significant honour by the Upper Lachlan Shire Council.
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During the council meeting on May 20, the unanimous decision to name the Crookwell Memorial Oval gym after Belford was made.
As a former powerlifter, Belford won state and national titles during a long career. He spent over 50 years as an active member of the Crookwell Barbell Club, during which time he served as an inspiration to local competitors.
Members of the Barbell Club last year said Belford led by example and "inspired others to train with him".
A 2013 article written by the club and published in the Crookwell Gazette described Belford as a mentor to several powerlifters who went on to make names for themselves, including:
- Fred Roberts: First record holder for a NSW junior middle-weight deadlift
- Bill Maberly: Set NSW middleweight and light-heavyweight senior deadlift records
- John Broderick: NSW and Australian junior middle-heavyweight champion
- Charlie Tarby: NSW and Australian junior deadlift record holder
- Mark George: Set a NSW and Australian record bench press of 175kg in the Under 23 100 kg division. Was also the 2004 Australian Bench Press Champion
- Daniel Wray: World-ranking bench-presser, was described as an elite lifter in weightlifting circles
Belford was a founding member of the Barbell Club in the 1960s and served as president of the club until 2006.
He was deeply involved in the construction of the original Crookwell Memorial Park building in the 1980s, alongside the Crookwell Rugby League Club, and helped plan the current building in recent years.
His many contributions to the Barbell Club and to the Crookwell community in general earned Belford warm praise from Upper Lachlan Shire general manager, Colleen Worthy.
"Bruce coached and mentored many young weight-lifters who in turn have gone on to great success, and his enthusiasm and guidance has been of immeasurable importance to the sport locally," she said.
"A former council staff member, Mr Belford has remained an active and highly respected member of the community and also played a key role in discussions around the planning of this space.
"He is a very deserving person to honour with the naming of this gym."
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