Pittsworth pays special tribute to ‘Our Flash’
Pittsworth honours Postle feats
Story page 38
The boy from Pittsworth who became a legend in his own lifetime will now have his feats celebrated for generations to come following the unveiling of a tribute to “The Crimson Flash”.
Arthur Postle — known to his followers and rivals as “The Crimson Flash” — was acknowledged as the world’s fastest man in the early 1900s.
The farm-reared Pittsworth product, who used to chase down kangaroos as part of indigenous roo-hunting parties, went on to set a string of world records in distances ranging from 50 to 200 yards.
Last Sunday, Postle’s contribution to Australia’s sporting past and the Pittsworth community won its latest recognition when a statue and plinth honouring him was unveiled in the town’s main street.
A large crowd, including more than 60 Postle family members, who travelled from as far away as Melbourne and North Queensland, were on hand for the unveiling performed by TRC mayor Paul Antonio, Ros Scotney and Arthur’s eldest grand-son, Professor Glen Postle.
The statue and plinth artwork was designed by Andrew McDonald while the project was funded by Regional Arts Development Fund Queensland Government.
Glen said his grandfather — born in 1881 — would be humbled by the recognition.
“He was a very humble man but I’m sure he would be proud to be remembered in such a way,” Glen said.
“My family was gobsmacked by the turnout of people to the unveiling on Sunday which was a nice community event.”
Arthur last year became an inaugural inductee, alongside John McDonald, Nikki Hudson and Tom Gorman, into the Toowoomba Regional Sports Hall of Fame.
But Glen said the idea of recognising Arthur in his home town was initiated by family friend Jason Driscoll and was largely driven by Pittsworth resident and Rotary president Ros Scotney.
“Jason came up with the idea and from there it became a reality,” Glen said.
“Ros picked it up and grew it further and with the help of people like Geoff McDonald and Paul Antonio it’s come to fruition.”
Arthur Postle devoted much of his later life to encouraging and coaching young athletes.
He died in Brisbane in 1965, aged 84 years.
‘‘ HE WAS A VERY HUMBLE MAN BUT I’M SURE HE WOULD BE PROUD TO BE REMEMBERED IN SUCH A WAY.
GLEN POSTLE