Jim Achurch

Jim Achurch grew up on a farm in New South Wales and developed his strong arm by throwing rocks at rabbits on the farm. His father later left the farm and bought a tennis centre on Parramatta Road, where Jim Achurch also learned to play tennis. In athletics, Achurch’s greatest moment came when he won the 1954 Commonwealth Games javelin throw in Vancouver. He also competed at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Later in life Achurch represented Australia six times in world masters tennis events. His work was in various fields, including running a passionfruit and pineapple farm, working as a carriage builder, a house painter, a wardsman, and running maintenance contracts for the Nambour General Hospital.

Personal Best: JT – 68.94 (1956).