About AVGU
The Australian Golfers Union Inc is the overarching body for the various state veteran golfer member organisations providing golf opportunities and camaraderie to over 25,000 veteran golfers throughout Australia.
How We Operate
The AVGU is incorporated in the ACT with an Executive comprising of one delegate from each of the affiliated associations in all eight states and territories. The basic objectives of the Union are promoting the game of golf generally, assisting and coordinating member states and territories in the administration of the game of golf for veteran golfers and providing the terms and conditions for the conduct, control and management of the annual AVGU Championships.
To be eligible to join, you must be a playing member of a ‘bricks and mortar’ golf club, be over the age of 55 years and have a current GA handicap. See ‘How to Join’ for more details and the website for the appropriate Australian state.
The affiliated association in each state and territory are autonomous in the administration, control and conduct of their competition roster which varies from association to association. All are not for profit organisations managed and operated by members with low membership fees.
All associations welcome visitors from other affiliates to their competition and events.
Our Prestigious History
In 1981 delegates from NSW, NSW Country, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland met at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney. In June 1982 the name Australian Veteran Golfers Union (AVGU) was adopted for a separate independent national body and Western Australia joined the Union. The Northern Territory joined in 1991.
On the 21st February 1990 the Australian Veteran Golfers Union Inc was incorporated in the ACT.
Since that small beginning in 1981 there are more than 25,000 veteran golfers who have joined through the various AVGU affiliate associations throughout Australia.
The first AVGU National Championship was held in 1990 in the Murray River border region of New South Wales and has been held each year since on an 8 year rotation between member states and territories.
Early in the history of the AVGU a decision was made to establish a Role of Honour acknowledging members who had made an outstanding contribution to the administration of the Union. Originally on parchment it is now displayed on this website to honour those people who have given so much of their time towards the advancement of veteran golf at the national level.
Role of Honour
| 1985 | Jack Barkel | NSW |
| 1985 | John Hart | NSW |
| 1985 | Eric Lusk | NSW |
| 1986 | Harry Macklin-Shaw | SA |
| 1991 | Ken King | NSW |
| 1991 | Bill Sidwell | NSW |
| 1993 | John Seward | WA |
| 1994 | Bill Ellis | VIC |
| 1995 | Ned Custance | ACT |
| 2008 | Des Coady | NSW |
| 2008 | Bob Coulson | NSW |
| 2008 | Malcolm MacPherson | VIC |
| 2009 | Jim Lindwall | ACT |
| 2010 | Duggan Anderson | WA |
| 2012 | Keith Spry | QLD |
| 2016 | M Greep | ACT |
| 2017 | M Powell | NT |
| 2017 | R Farrant | NSW |
| 2018 | Joe Smith | NT |
| 2018 | Garry Carter | WA |
| 2018 | Graeme Manning | TAS |
| 2019 | John Dodd | SA |
| 2019 | R Jennison | SA |
| 2022 | Ian Vidler | NSW |
| 2023 | Barrie Rymer | QLD |
Office Bearers
| Year | President | Secretary |
| 1981 | Ken King (NSW) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1982 | Ken King (NSW) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1983 | Ken King (NSW) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1984 | Ken King (NSW) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1985 | Ian Murtagh (Qld) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1986 | Ian Murtagh (Qld) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1987 | Vic Ellis (Vic) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1988 | Vic Ellis (Vic) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1989 | Max Dale (SA) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1990 | Max Dale (SA) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1991 | Max Dale (SA) | Bill Sidwell (NSW) |
| 1992 | Ned Custance (ACT) | Bill Ellis (ACT) |
| 1993 | Ned Custance (ACT) | Bill Ellis (ACT) |
| 1994 | Ned Custance (ACT) | Bill Ellis (ACT) |
| 1995 | Des Coady (NSW) | Reg Gardiner (NSW) |
| 1996 | Des Coady (NSW) | Bob Coulson (NSW) |
| 1997 | Bill Mead (Vic) | Malcom MacPherson (Vic) |
| 1998 | Chas Jones (Qld) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 1999 | Chas Jones (Qld) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2000 | Jim Lindwall (ACT) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2001 | Jim Lindwall (ACT) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2002 | John Cheney (Vic) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2003 | John Cheney (Vic) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2004 | Duggan Anderson (WA) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2005 | Duggan Anderson (WA) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2006 | Ray Jennison (SA) | Malcolm MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2007 | Ray Jennison (SA) | Malcom MacPherson (Vic) |
| 2008 | Keith Spry (Qld) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2009 | Keith Spry (Qld) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2010 | Mal Powell (NT) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2011 | Mal Powell (NT) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2012 | Mike Greep (ACT) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2013 | Mike Greep (ACT) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2014 | Dick Farrant (NSW) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2015 | Dick Farrant (NSW) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2016 | John Dodd (SA) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2017 | John Dodd (SA) | Graeme Manning (Tas) |
| 2018 | Barrie Rymer (Qld) | Ray Gibson (Tas) |
| 2019 | Barrie Rymer (Qld) | Ray Gibson (Tas) |
| 2020 | Alan Chrisp (ACT) | Ray Gibson (Tas) |
| 2021 | Alan Chrisp (ACT) | Ray Gibson (Tas) |
| 2022 | Alan Chrisp (ACT) | Ray Gibson (Tas) |
| 2023 | Alan Chrisp (ACT) | Colin Thorniley (WA) |
| 2024 | Brian Nankivell (SA) | Colin Thorniley (WA) |