The Western Australian Institute of Sport wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of former WAIS Chair, Charles ‘Chilla’ Porter, following his passing on Saturday 15 August 2020.
Chilla served as Chair of the Western Australian Institute of Sport 1995-1996 and was instrumental in the development of the first WAIS purpose-built facility at HBF Stadium. As well as rebuilding athletics in Western Australia through a challenging financial situation.
Chilla Porter became a household name following his more than five-hour high jump battle at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. The then unknown 19-year-old Chilla went jump for jump with world record holder American Charles Dumas, captivating the packed 60,000 seat MCG to clear 2.10 metres, smashing his personal best on route to the silver medal behind Dumas at 2.12m. In a competition where the top four broke the previous Olympic Record.
Following his 1956 Olympic success he would go on to compete four years later in Rome and win silver at consecutive Commonwealth Games in 1958 and 1962. He was inducted to the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2011. Chilla was also formally recognised by the Western Australian Hall of Champions for his contributions to sport as both a competitor and an administrator.
Western Australian Institute of Sport Chief Executive Officer Steve Lawrence paid tribute to his contribution to sport in WA, “Chilla was the second Chair of the WAIS Board and through his passion and energy helped secure funding for a WAIS facility designed to improve support for Western Australian’s in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Chilla is remembered as a thoughtful, kind and passionate man with all the resolve required to be a sporting champion.”
