Issue 22 / 2006

The 2006 Dinner sets the pace for the year ahead

friend Stephen Phillips, it made for an entertaining night with plenty of goosebumps throughout the packed Palladium room at Crown. Three of the biggest names in Chairman John Bertrand and Australian football -- Kevin Bartlett, Selection Committee Chairman Dr. and Rob de Castella warmly welcomed - were applauded by 780 Members our newest inductees into the Hall, and guests for their talent and taking our membership to 470. The contribution to the game at this Athlete Members - Kevin Bartlett year’s Annual Dinner and Induction (Australian football), Tim Horan Ceremony at the Crown Palladium. (rugby union), Patrick Rafter (tennis) and Debbie Watson (water polo). In what was probably our most General Members – Dr. Allen Aylett memorable Dinner, it broke new (administration – Australian football), ground with the warmest reception for Bob Elphinston (administration the announcement of the legendary – basketball and Olympics), and three, together with the seven new Charles Steedman (decd) - inductees and the announcement of (administration - swimming). the inaugural scholarship packages to Representing Charles Steedman five aspiring young sportspeople. was Swimming ’s president, Neil Martin.We salute and On top of that, the 26th Legend of congratulate our newest Members. Australian Sport was announced, the second Spirit of Sport Award was presented, and we had our third ever There was genuine enthusiasm joint Don winners. for our second Spirit of Sport Award, this year presented to the Susie O’Neill, on behalf of the Cricket Ground. The Members, moved the Loyal Toast citation noted its redevelopment and before an audience that celebrated an transformation to stage the 2006 outstanding year of sport including Melbourne the Australian Open Tennis, the and its status as an iconic rallying Australian Grand Prix, the Winter point for Australian sport. MCG Trust Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Chairman John Wylie along with MCC and the FIFA World Cup. Combined President David Jones accepted the with outstanding audio and vision award. This award was created in sourced and produced by our good 2005 to acknowledge an extraordinary sporting moment that captures the Ronald Dale Barassi, AM, became of the scholarship. The reward hearts of the nation and is destined to the Hall’s 26th Legend of Australian for SAHOF is that the heroes and be part of Australian sporting history. Sport, joining his great competitor mentors are Members. This has Makybe Diva and her connections and friend, the late E.J. ‘Ted’ Whitten quickly become the most sought after stole the show last year for her record in this elite SAHOF group. It was scholarship available for aspiring breaking three Melbourne Cups. Australia’s best kept secret until athletes in Australia under chairman John Bertrand spilled of 21. the beans at the Board meeting held the morning of the Dinner. SAHOF Member, Sue Stanley was Uncharacteristically, Ron was appointed Scholarship Coordinator speechless! and has done an outstanding job, matching recipients with SAHOF mentors and heroes. With only a few weeks to send nominations back to SAHOF, we had an overwhelming response for our first year, with 130 applications from all over the country, covering a wide variety of sports. Sue filtered though all the nominations The fact that this year’s Don Award to select the five recipients, and all involved joint winners for only the we can say is watch out Beijing and third time indicated how tightly it was Delhi! contested. The “Don” was shared by The Socceroos and Commonwealth Scholarship packages consist of Games gold medallist, mentoring throughout the year by a Kerryn McCann. The other finalists for Hall of Fame Member, a $5000 dollar 2006 were swimming’s Leisel Jones, grant to contribute towards their downhill skier Michael Milton, and sporting expenses, development and 2006 U.S. Open Golf titleholder, Geoff leadership workshops, and invitations Ogilvy. The citations noted that the to SAHOF functions. performances and sportsmanship of the Socceroos during the 2006 The role of the mentor and hero is FIFA World Cup campaign united and to provide inspiration, support, and inspired the nation, as did Kerryn examples of high achievement to the during her epic effort in gaining young athlete while using the following back to back Commonwealth Games words as a guide: Motivation, marathon gold medals, winning from Encouragement, Natural Ability, Kenyan Hellen Cherono Koskei, by just Training for Success, Organisational two seconds. Our inaugural Skills, Role Model, Inspiration, Negativity (dealing with), and Goal scholarship Setting. winners The inaugural packages were presented at the Annual Dinner and Induction Ceremony, with all five recipients meeting their mentors and heroes for the first time. In presenting the scholarships, rugby great John Eales offered some timely advise to the team, making note of his experience with mentors and their affect on his career.

Aimed at bringing the SAHOF “Spirit of Sport” values to young Australians, June 2006 saw the launch of The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarships. Introduced to encourage young Australians to reach the highest level in their chosen sport, what has really made this program unique is the hero and mentor aspect Issue 22 / 2006

All five joined their mentors and abused children aged between 1 and heroes for a breakfast the following 15. She also works with 12 other morning and were addressed by indigenous girls at a netball club champion Australian football player, called the Flames. coach and motivator, David Parkin. As of the October 13, the athletes, Kirby’s mentor is fellow West mentors and heroes are in contact, Australian and international sharing their experiences from hockey star Rechelle Hawkes competing on the international stage whose inspiration and international to life skills. experience combined with hero, Joyce Brown’s coaching and leadership With the motivation of the upcoming skills, aims at helping Kirby reach the Olympics, it is not hard to imagine a heights in Australian netball. veritable flood of nominations in the Aaron Rouge-Serret year ahead when the program seeks out the 2008 scholarship recipients. Track Keep an eye on the website post February 2007 for all the dates and nomination forms. At just 18 years old, Aaron Rouge-Serret promises to be one If you would like to be part of the of Australia’s finest sprinters Scholarship program, as a SAHOF notwithstanding a late start to training hero or mentor, or know of a person in 2005! Despite this, he achieved a or organisation who could sponsor a 10.86 seconds heat time in the U18 scholarship, please call the SAHOF Victorian All Schools championship office on 03 9572 4600. and 10.99 in the final. Following this heat he has achieved consistent SAHOF Members and staff, would Ashlee Brown 10 second times, finishing first at like to wish all recipients the best Northern Territory the 2005 Australian All Schools championship, second at the Pacific of luck for the year ahead, and look Tennis forward to hearing of their sporting Schools Games with a time of 10.74 and personal results. Our warmest and first at the Telstra Australian U20 thanks to all who have donated to the Ashlee Brown was the first Northern championships in scholarship program, either through Territorian to win the national with a time of 10.87. His (short) our lunches or at the Dinner. We look singles championship. At just 17 career has gone from strength to forward to continuing support from years old, she currently holds a strength, securing a place in the world the public and corporate Australia. world junior ranking of 201. She junior team at the 2006 World Junior This is an Australian investment in the balances her tennis career with being Championships in Beijing, winning his nation’s youth – our sporting future! an ambassador to the Northern heat in 10.43, but missing the final Territory, undertaking year 12 studies by just 0.3 seconds. Aaron intends on Meet our inaugural 2006 Sport by distance learning, while still into Australia’s record books Australia Hall of Fame scholarship competing on the world junior and in the future at senior level while holders: senior tennis tours. Her aspirations undertaking tertiary studies after for 2007 are to compete in two junior completing year 12 in 2006. Kirby Bentley Grand Slams and reduce her world Western Australia senior ranking to below 600. Ashlee Aaron’s mentor is fellow Victorian also takes time to mentor younger Gary Honey, an Olympic representative Netball tennis players in the Northern and back to back Commonwealth Territory. Games gold medalist in the long Kirby Bentley, now 20 years old, jump. Together with Olympic silver was one of three 14 year olds to be Ashlee’s mentor is W.A. tennis legend medallist , this is a selected in the underage Australian Margaret Court, winner of 62 Grand partnership to keep an eye on. netball squad. Over the last five Slam titles and one of the greatest years Kirby has progressed from tennis players of all time. Together the U17 WA state team to play for with another legend of the game, the Orioles in the national former Wimbledon champion Neale competition. Kirby has achieved Fraser, Ashlee is ready to tackle the her netball success in association rankings big-time. with developing a mentoring career that specialises in disadvantaged schoolgirls social evaluation and social skill development. Her community work has included working with the Djooraminda hostel for disadvantaged, disengaged, and Dani Samuels Down Syndrome Swim Team, and Fame with equal voting rights, save the Leukaemia Foundation. Olympic for the structure and election of the butterfly gold medal winner herself, Board, which will remain unchanged. Field (Discus & Shot Put) Susie O’Neill, will mentor Jessicah, with fellow Olympic gold medallist One term will now be used to refer to At the recent 2006 World Junior and former world record holder John all - Members. However we still need Championships, Dani Samuels, at Konrads as her hero. It has a world- to retain and distinguish categories just 18 years of age, won gold in the beating feel about it right from the under which Members are admitted… th discus and finished 7 in the shot put, jump. Athlete and General categories. all achieved while studying year 12. At the , Directors Karen Moras Stephenson she won bronze in the discus and and Robert de Castella were re- th finished 12 in the shot put. At the elected unopposed as Athlete 2005 World Youth Championships Directors for a further three year term she won gold in the discus and whilst Geoff Henke was returned as bronze in the shot put and at the General Director for a further two year 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games, term. she won gold in both the discus and shot put. Her aspirations include making the finals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, to win gold at the 2010 VALE Delhi Commonwealth Games, and to medal at the 2012 London Olympics!

Dani will be mentored by hurdling great Pam Ryan, and with marathon AGM man Robert de Castella as her hero, we look forward to more medals for Dani and Australia.

Since the last newsletter, SAHOF is saddened by the passing of six Members. we’ll miss them and This years AGM, held on the eve of the remember their Jessicah Schipper OAM Annual Dinner, was well attended outstanding Queensland and provided our Chairman the contribution to Swimming opportunity to reflect on a changing and productive year. He also took the Australian sport. At just 19 years of age, Jessicah opportunity to thank and present, Legendary boxer Vic has already achieved Olympic gold, on behalf of all Members an Patrick, rower Merv at the 2004 Olympics, and acknowledgement certificate to Simon Wood, motor racing Rofe our long time honorary legal has broken four world records, ace Peter Brock, one individual record in the 200m adviser who recently announced his butterfly and three relay records. retirement from legal practice. athlete Peter Norman, Jessicah has also broken three cycling administrator Commonwealth records (short course Ordinary Members passed the extraordinaire Bill 100m butterfly, long course 100m special resolution to change the Long and swimming and 200m butterfly) and has claimed naming terminology of Hall of Fame four world title gold medals, one Members to provide equal status legend Kevin Berry. silver and two bronze. Jessicah has for Associate Members. managed to balance this success Vic Patrick OAM with an administrative role at the No longer will there be there the Boxing QLD Swimming Association, and distinction of Ordinary Members and Associate Members with all now as an Ambassador for a number Born Victor Patrick Lucca, Vic was referred to as Members of the Hall of of organisations, namely MS QLD, the greatest Australian boxer never Issue 22 / 2006

to win a world championship. He at Bathurst, he also held more pole held the Australian lightweight and positions and won more races than welterweight titles at a time when any other driver since the inception those divisions attracted some of of the Australian Touring Car Australia’s finest talent, but he was Championship in 1960. deprived from fighting overseas by World War II. In Vic’s 55 bout career, he won 43 by knockout and had four losses, and one draw.

Kevin Berry OAM Swimming

Swimming legeng Kevin Berry, the Australian Olympic champion who offered to teach Pope John XX111 Peter Norman to swim, died in Queensland in early December after a long illness. Athletics He was 61.

Peter Norman ran for the East Kevin won the 200m butterfly at the Merv Wood LVO MBE QPM Melbourne Harriers Club which 1964 Olympics. He was the dominated sprinting in the 1960s youngest of seven children from in Victoria. However, the defining a devout Catholic family from the Mervyn Wood competed in four moment in his career was at the 1968 suburb of Marrickville. over 20 years City Olympics, where he won and finished his career with a full silver in the 200m, becoming part of He was only 14 when he was selected set of medals. He also won four sporting history in one of the most initially for the 1960 Rome team and Commonwealth gold medals and controversial medal ceremonies. In 15 when he got there. He was given a one silver, two Diamond Sculls, the winning silver by splitting Americans private audience with the Pope where Philadelphia Cup and 12 national and , he he made the teaching offer. championships. These remarkable did better than any Australian male achievements are made more so by sprinter in history. His fierce determination to win for the fact that World War II robbed Australia led to his Tokyo gold where Wood of what should have been his he also won a bronze medal in the most rewarding years of competition, 100m medley relay adding to three two Olympic Games, during which he gold medals from the 1962 Perth would have been in his twenties. Commonwealth Games. Kevin held 12 world records and was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and has sat on the Board of The Sport Australia Hall of Fame since 2001.

With Kevin’s sudden passing we have reproduced with permission an article written by Ron Reed Bill Long OAM (Melbourne ). Our first newsletter in 2007 will dedicate a Bill Long promoted the sport of tribute to a man who gave so much cycling at all levels. He served the to sport and to the Hall of Fame. sport in every capacity as an amateur Peter Brock AM and professional road and track rider, Motor Racing club president, organiser, official, handicapper, judge, head steward, No other driver in the history of traffic controller, promoter, team Australian motor racing can challenge manager, coach, sporting journalist the record of Peter Brock, who and broadcaster. A highly respected dominated the sport for the past official with world cycling countries, three decades. Known as the ‘King he brought about many changes to of the Mountain’ for his nine victories international racing regulations. leading players from these events website in the New Year. Chairman’s appearing at our series of annual Museum Update Message lunches in the various states between April and August. SAHOF’s permanent home at the MCC is coming closer to fruition with The past year as we have noted in our the National Sports Museum now Newsletters has been one of triumph scheduled to open in March 2008. and then sadness, as we mourn the The display will honour all our Hall passing of some fine sportsmen and of Fame Members and preserve and women. perpetuate Australia’s rich sporting life and heritage. Yet we look to the future with optimism. It is on that note that I Phoebe is working on all Members personally and your Directors and bio’s as we aim to ensure all the SAHOF office team, wish our information is correct and up to Members, sponsors and supporters date. Members can help Phoebe by Christmas Greetings and the happiest checking their citations on our current and safest of New Years. website (www.sahof.org.au) and The dignity with which Australia’s forward updates to the office as we greatest swimmer, Ian Thorpe, retired Sincerely, aim to make the SAHOF exhibition in from competition provided a timely the National Sports Museum accurate example for the five first-time winners John Bertrand AM and a tribute to Australian sporting of our SAHOF scholarships. Chairman history.

As disappointing as it must have New SAHOF Website been for Thorpe’s family and friends, SAHOF his no-holds-barred logical and very We are delighted to announce that public explanation about the way he Happenings a new SAHOF website is currently arrived at his decision, momentous being designed, with the help of White as it was for Australian swimming and Rhino Creative. First concepts so far the Olympic movement, reflected the are impressive and will take SAHOF maturity developed from some 11 into the future incorporating our new years of competition supervised by logo and the ‘Spirit of Sport’ ethos. magnificent mentors and coaches. It will be much more user friendly and will feature all the programs and The Thorpe model will become exciting things that are happening to, folklore in sporting seminars and and in, your organisation. We aim dressing rooms from one end of the to launch the website by the end of country to the other. February 2007.

Watching our own scholarship team develop over the years ahead is going to be a fascinating exercise 2006 Lunches for them and for their mentors who are themselves the “Thorpies” – the Our state lunches in Brisbane, Sydney proven champions – in their respective and Perth were taken to a new level sports. The triumphant Melbourne with record numbers in attendance. Commonwealth Games performances Sydney promoter Max Markson was must give all Australians great hopes appointed to present Australia’s for Beijing 2008. Greatest Sporting Moments with the aim to focus on lifting SAHOF’s And for the immediate year ahead profile and to launching our youth what a feast of sport for starters. We scholarship program. We can report have the Australian leg of the tennis we achieved both with the combined SEN Update Grand Slam followed at the Rod fundraising income helping to cover Laver Arena by the World Swimming much of our costs of our inaugural SEN radio in Melbourne continues Championships in a purpose-built scholarships. pool. Simultaneously, there are the to run a weekly program, recording the achievements and highlights of Ashes cricket series and the opening We are already planning next year’s our Hall of Famers. The program, race of the Formula One Grand Prix series of lunches to continue the ‘Hungry for Sport’, hosted by one of allocated once again to the Albert growth and profile of the Hall and our newest inductees Kevin Bartlett Park circuit. look forward to seeing you during (Australian football), has provided us the year. Details of dates will be with an audio record for our library. We look forward to some of the circulated and available on our Issue 22 / 2006

So far 28 Members have been in town for a week of celebrations interviewed and our thanks to all including a re-enactment of the including John Sieben, Neale Fraser, Opening Ceremony and the Golden Peter Antonie, Ralph Doubell, David Anniversary Dinner hosted by the AOC Boon, Dean Lukin, Mike Cleary, Rod and the VOC. Marsh, Mark Taylor, Gary Honey, John Landy, and Ron Clarke who have participated since our last newsletter.

Gold Wings Mark AaE’S 10 Year Sponsorship

Australian air Express celebrated its Thanks to our 10th year as Principal Sponsor of SAHOF. Acting CEO Wayne Dunne Sponsors and in welcoming guests to the Annual Supporters Dinner, acknowledged the partnership longevity was due to the like values of Telstra Swimming both organisations in paving the way Championships to a successful partnership, with both still growing. We are already pleased to announce Wayne took the opportunity to make that one of the inaugural recipients of The Sport Australia Hall of a special presentation of AaE gold The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Fame thanks its sponsors and Scholarship is again making waves wings to SAHOF’s John Bertrand to supporters for their unfailing on the international scene. Jessicah mark our first 10 years together… dedication to the preservation a significant milestone for both Schipper has been putting in the hard of Australia’s rich sporting organisations. yards at the national swimming titles heritage. held in Brisbane, winning the national Guests were treated to a sneak 100m butterfly title in 57.48 seconds preview of AaE’s new commercial of and the 200m butterfly title in 2:6.02 the new B737 Aircraft featuring John seconds to ensure that she will be as presenter... Congratulations to AaE in Melbourne next March to defend Principal Sponsor on their new aircraft, the first of three the world crown she won in Montreal to be handed over by Qantas. 2005. She also finished third in the 50m butterfly behind Libby Lenton and Dani Miatke. Congratulations Jess and all the best for the World Championships in March. SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

2011 Brisbane AUSTRALIAN SPORTS Athletics Bid COMMISSION CALLAWAY GOLF SOUTH PACIFIC Queensland Premier Peter Beattie CROWN LIMITED announced that Brisbane would be C W STIRLING & CO bidding for the rights to host the 2011 DNA ARTWORKS World Championships in Athletics. If E & S TRADING successful, it will be the first city in FOSTER’S AUSTRALIA the southern hemisphere to stage FUJI XEROX Golden Girl the event. Honored GEORGE PATTERSON Y&R The World Championships is among GEMBA GROUP HAYSTAC During the recent anniversary of the biggest international sporting the ‘56 Melbourne Olympic Games, events, up there with the Olympic I PRINT Legend and Golden Girl Betty Games and the FIFA World Cup. The NEWS LIMITED Cuthbert was honoured by the event is held every two years and PETER JONES SPECIAL EVENTS MCC with the naming of The Betty attracts 3200 world-class athletes QANTAS AIRWAYS Cuthbert Lounge in recognition and officials from over 200 countries SKILLED GROUP and 500,000 spectators over nine of her contribution to the history TATTERSALL’S LIMITED days. Our best wishes go to the Bid of the ‘G’. Betty and many of the THE NINE NETWORK Committee and we look forward to 1956 Melbourne Games team, both THE SEVEN NETWORK Australian and international, were hearing of the results. WHITE RHINO CREATIVE 2007 Awards & Induction Ceremony Thursday October 11, 2007 Crown Complex, Melbourne

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