Petersham Speed Skating Hero turns 100

Skate great Gwendalyn Meale (nee Rose) is soon to be ushering in a century. Not many of us will get to claim the triple digits and what a life she has made of it.

Gwendalyn Meale was the NSW Speed Roller Skating Champion in 1939, 1940 and 1941.

Many of us played sports in our youth but how many of us can say that they were the best in the state? Well Gwendalyn got to do that 3 times.

 It was the beginning of the war and who know’s had the war not turned the world upside down there may have been many more.

The war begun and the government took over her local skating rink. The Petersham Roller Skating Rink was used as a food distribution centre from 1941. Imagine her surprise when a group of American GI’s turned up for a skate at the rink.

We can only hope to live as long and as rich a life as Gwendalyn. Wishing her and her family a wonderful celebration, a warmest of birthday wishes from Skate NSW we feel lucky to have you as part of our rolling history.

Her awards and roller skates can be seen at the Cootamundra Heritage Centre.