DKT in typical pose
Rather than concoct a story about DKT, it is easier to just refer to what has already been written about him, and more importantly what he has written himself about his role with the BP. Our references include:
Citation for induction into the Australian Rally Hall of Fame
Obituary published in a CAMS journal of the time
“Planning the BP Rally” by DKT, from the BP Accelerator 1961, BPs in house magazine
“The BP was always different” by DKT, from LCCA Competition Communicator 1973, on the occasion of the final BP.
Don in the field dribbling cigarette ash on the road card of Alick Millea and Bob Selby-Wood in the 1965 BP
DKT Bronze Medal Outstanding Sportsmanship Award
Although a car rally is a competition, Donald gave great importance to the notion of sportsmanship in the face of competition. Fortunately in long events competitors must survive before they can experience success, so the wise ones will help others, knowing that they at some point they may well need help to survive and maybe succeed. The Bronze Medal was first awarded after the third BP in 1960, to the NSW crew of Doug Stewart and Barry Lloyd. In retrospect this looks politically astute of the CAMS employee, as Doug became CAMS president in 1969. The reasons for each award have never appeared in print. The next recipients, Jack Ellis, Frank Guymer and Mal McPherson, according to Ian Ellis, probably received the award for mediating a competitor revolution which allowed the event to continue with a full field! Donald did note that this crew had been consistent supporters of and performers in every one of his Sun Rallies and BP Rallies to date. After Jack stopped competing he became a steward on BPs and also a CAMS Tribune. Donald never forgot those mediation skills.
A footnote on the award of the Bronze medal to Arthur and Elsie Smith from Skipton, Victoria in the “BP Merchandiser News” report of the 1965 event quotes Donald: “Winning or losing, they were always cheerful, always trying, always competing as I would like to see every crew compete’. Guess that sums up his award criteria.
No award was made in 1966, possibly because Donald would have been soured by the protracted post event protests and appeals.
There was no record of an award in 1967, but after some hints it was determined to be Bruce Wilkinson and Ian Inglis. Donald provided a clue in his summary report, describing them as “the most cheerful losers in the past and equally cheerful class winners this time”.
It was thought that the award for “outstanding sportsmanship” stopped with DKT, but it has emerged that Susie Vaughan and Jenny Cash were recipients in 1969, the second year under the directorship of Tony Theiler. His report does say on the penultimate division that year into Mt Buller..."It was on this Division that those young BP veterans, Susie Vaughan and Jenny Cash hit a bank and were delayed for a long time before being able to continue, but continue they did, and arrived at Bright within their time and still smiling." There is a consistent theme here of being smiling and cheerful even under adversity. Maybe Donald still exerted some influence, as his letter to Susan after the 1967 event, referring to their "fine sporting spirit and determination" shows that he thought them deserving of this award.
The list of Bronze medal recipients is as follows:
1960 Doug Stewart and Barry Lloyd
1961 Jack Ellis, Frank Guymer and Mal McPherson
1962 Arthur Ashford and Charlie Davis
1963 Keith Gamble, Bruce Ford and Bruce McPhail
1964 No record of any award
1965 Arthur and Elsie Smith from Skipton
1966 No record of any award
1967 Bruce Wilkinson and Ian Inglis
1968 No record of any award
1969 Susan Vaughan and Jenny Cash
 A valued award |
 The last known award recipients smiling here in 1967 |
Ross, I recall Frank Kilfoyle awarding a medal to a fellow named Throsby in one of the events he directed. He struggled through the event in an unsuitable car from what I can remember. Bob
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