Clarice Kennedy – Fortian 1926-1931

Clarice Kennedy Fortian 1926 to 1931 was one of Australia’s greatest women athletes who never competed in an Olympic Games. She won championship titles including sprint events, 2 Miles Cross Country, and excelled in swimming, diving, hockey, vigoro and basketball (netball).  She made national records in the 100yards, 400m, 440y, 800m, 880y, 80m Hurdles, 90y Hurdles, Shot Putt and Javelin events. She was also a diving and swimming (backstroke) champion and toured the state swimming circuit as a diver. Her best event was the 80m hurdles where she set a world record time of 12.2 in 1930.
Training facilities in the 1930’s were non-existent and Clarice would travel to the sports ground standing on the back steps of the bus holding her six foot javelins outside the bus door. Her trainers were often other athletes she met at the sports ground.
During her athletic career, the only time she was selected for an international team was the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney.
Kennedy was disappointed when there were no women athletes selected in the Australian team for the 1934 Empire Games. She said ‘The men cut out all women’s representation in the 1934 Games. They argued the finances necessary to provided chaperones and extra trainers for the women were too great.’
Despite being highly rated in world rankings and winning four events at the National Games (Olympic trials) and being the 1936 national hurdles and javelin champion, she was not named in the Olympic team for the Berlin Olympic Games. There was only one female selected for the games, Doris Carter, a High Jumper. Her Olympic snub was considered an outrage in Australia. Kennedy said ‘My name was in Hansard – questions were asked in parliament. The Truth newspaper offered to pay expenses for Kitty McKay, Basil Dickinson and myself but they said I couldn’t go. The women’s association said they sent my name and Doris Carter’s to the men’s selectors and the men said they only received Carter’s. I was never bitter, I just didn’t understand it.’

In June 1936, the Australian Olympic Federation presented Kennedy with a wristwatch as a token of her assistance in drawing the design of the diploma which was presented to winners and runners-up at the National Games.
At Fort Street Girls’ High she won the school championship medal every year she attended. She is a Fortian of whom all Fort Street students can be proud, both as a sportswoman and a university scholar. In 1992 Clarice donated her trophies and medals to the school archive. They are a treasure for all who know her story of determination and resilience.
Chris Egan
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Note for the photo: A memorable event on Sydney University Oval Clarice Kennedy wins the first 80-metre hurdle race in Australia in 12 4/5 seconds equalling the 1929 world record