MALITZ (DOOLAN, BLACK), Gretchen

A FORMER NSW STATE CHAMPION, Gretchen performed floorshows at the Ice Palais and old Glaciarium while still at juvenile level. As far back as 1950, she skated with Cliff and Hazel Davidson, character skater Donna Whitaker, Janet Bell and Kath Sloman, the mother of Edwina Hewison.

She took a personal interest in Elizabeth and Peter Cain in the early 70s. She coached them at the Canterbury ice rink where her husband Marcel was a founder and director. The natural pair came along beautifully.

The Cains were the first Australians to win the pair title in the British Junior Ice Skating Championships. They so impressed the judges, they were invited back for the senior event. The Cains went on to compete at the Olympics with a little extra help from Gladys Hogg and John Nicks.

Skater and coach of elite World and Olympic representatives, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, Gretchen is honoured with the other original inductees to the Ice Skating Australia Hall of Fame (2004). Among her other students are Michael Pasfield, Heidi Beyer, Perry Meek, Sean Abram, Brian Meek, George and Eva Fabian [2], Anne Zoe Hopkins, Gabor Somlia, and Michael Santer and his son Bradley. Gretchen also taught Ice Dance, coaching Anne Zoe Hopkins and Gabor Somlia to State Championships. [1]

Malitz judged figure skating at national level, and she was a founding member of the Australian Professional Skater’s Association in 1968, with Gloria Pracey, Bill Black, Judy Bosler, Barbara Clarke, Helen Devereaux, Bob Jones, Ray Paterson, David Price, Nita Solomon and David Worral.

The remarkable skating career of the young Gretchen Malitz spread over seven decades.