Mr Charles (Chilla) Porter

Charles Porter widely known as “Chilla” was born in Brisbane and first came to attention as a talented high jumper in 1952 when he cleared 6’0¼” (1.835m) as a 16-year- old. He was 6’3” and thin, and used the straddle technique. The following year Chilla cleared 6’3¾” (1.925m) and by late 1954 he was over 6’6” (1.98m) for an Australian junior record.

Chilla competed at his first National titles in 1955 in Adelaide and won on count-back and defended the national title in Melbourne in 1956 and was selected to represent Australia at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.

Almost 60,000 people stayed glued to their seats as the unheralded Porter staged a mighty one-on-one high jump duel with American Charlie Dumas at the 1956 Olympic Final. Porter set a personal best with a jump of 2.03m, then soared over 2.10m to be assured of silver before Dumas won the gold with a jump of 2.12m