Our History & The Story Behind the Spitfire
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Strathpine Little Athletics has a proud history that dates back to 1977, when a Steering Committee was formed to explore starting a Little Athletics Centre in the Strathpine area. Just a few months later, in September 1977, our Centre was officially established on the oval at Pine Rivers High School.
We were the twelfth Little Athletics Centre to open in Queensland — and today, we're proud to be the eighth oldest still running in the state and proudly won "Best Centre - Major City" Award at the recent Little Athletics Awards Night. From our humble beginnings, the Centre quickly grew. By the 1990/91 season, we had 293 registered athletes, which eventually led to our relocation to John Oxley Reserve at the start of the 1992/93 season, where we still operate today.
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Why the Spitfire?
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Our mascot, the Spitfire, is more than just a symbol of speed and strength — it’s a meaningful tribute to local history.
During World War II, the Pine Rivers region played a key role in Australia’s defence. In 1943, the 548th and 549th Spitfire Squadrons were formed and based right here in Strathpine and Petrie. These squadrons included both Australian and British personnel, and the Lawnton Showgrounds became home to many RAAF pilots during that time.
Tragically, on April 19, 1944, Squadron Leader Henry Wright and Sergeant Alan Chandler from the 548th Squadron lost their lives in a mid-air collision near Youngs Crossing. Just two months later, the squadrons were relocated to Darwin to continue their mission in the defence of Australia.
Several local streets, including Spitfire Avenue (the site of the original A2 airstrip), were later named to honour these squadrons.
When Strathpine Little Athletics was established in 1977, we operated from playing fields that were bordered by Spitfire Avenue. In recognition of the historical significance of the area and in honour of those who served, our Centre proudly adopted the Spitfire as its mascot — a lasting tribute to courage, service, and community.
