Biography
Born: 11 January 1948
Died: 28 November 2019
Grave Location: Garden of Memories, Section 05, Seat
Achievements
Middle-distance runner Graham Crouch is remembered for his record-breaking achievements and great impact in Australian athletics.
He launched his career in the sport at the Box Hill Athletic Club and quickly became one of the leading runners at national level.
His first major victory came in the 1500 metres at the national championships in 1968/69.
Crouch was competitive in international events, participating in three Pacific Conference Games in 1969, 1973, and 1977, with his best finish being 2nd in the 1500m in 1977. At the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, he broke the Australian 1500m record in a 5th place finish. He also competed in the 1500m at the 1976 Olympics at Montreal.
Further success came in the national championships as Crouch won the Australian 5000m in the 1975/76 season and the 1500m in 1977/78. Crouch continued to contribute to Australian athletics after his retirement from running, as a coach and mentor, and in support of Athletics International’s assistance to developing Australian athletes.
Crouch was named Ballarat Sportsperson of the year in 1974 and 1975 and inducted in the Ballarat Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Did you Know?
Graham Crouch (11 January 1948 – 28 November 2019) was an Australian former middle-distance runner who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics. His fifth place run in the classic 1974 Commonwealth Games 1500m established a new Australian record, breaking that set by Herb Elliot at the 1960 Olympic Games.
He died at the age of 71 in Lengenfeld, Sachsen, Germany, where he had lived with his wife, Elke Jentsch.
Rather than a traditional memorial, he is commemorated with a plaque on a bench at the Garden of Memories, along with his parents Morris and Una Crouch.
In the Garden of Memories, ashes are usually placed in the garden bed, either at the foot of an individual rose, or around the border of a shared garden. However, in this case, the family have chosen placement by a bench seat overlooking the gardens, which features plaques with photo cameos to remember their loved ones.
