DA's Australian Sports History

Dawn Fraser is considered Australian greatest Olympic champion and greatest female athlete.Dawn won gold medals in the 100m freestyle event at three successive Olympics.She made history as the first female to swim the event under one minute and held the world record for the event for 15 years.Famously, Dawn has also courted controversy. She was banned at age 12yrs through no fault of her own then after the Rome Olympics and finally after the Tokyo Olympics which ended her career. Dawn has also experienced grief and challenging times. Subjects that she deals with openly.Dawn.s background and down to earth, knockabout approach to life has endeared her to the Australian public. She has used that profile to champion causes such as the Olympics and charities, particularly those assisting people with disabilities or disadvantage.There are champions and champions. Of all of those, Dawn stands at the front of the queue. Her life is remarkable. In this episode we look at some aspects of Dawns life with a focus on 1964.Trust you enjoy the episode. That's stumps. DA.

Ron Barassi is a legend in Australian Rules football.No player / coach has a greater profile. No one has done more to change the game. No person has done more to promote the game. Ron Barassi played 254 games kicking 330 goals. He coached 515 matches. In that time he was part of six premierships as a player and four more as a coach.The father /son rule was created to enable Ron Barassi to play for the Melbourne FC.He as the first player to play the position of ruck rover.He pioneered the modern game with pace and handball, famously winning the 1970 grand final as a consequence.But it is the personal story that is fascinating. Losing his father in the war. Mentored by the great Norm Smith, Establishing himself as a footballer in a great Melbourne side and his career as a coach. He was hard and a tough task master, but those who could survive under his style of leadership thrived and loved the man. Post his career he was much loved for his passion for the game and knowledge. Ron passed away in 2023 aged 87 years. He has a bronze statue at the MCG. That says it all.To know more of Ron, there is his book Barassi ; The biography. But in today's episode, this is a summary only of some aspects of Ron's football life.Until next time. Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.DA

Joyce Brown is remembered as the outstanding coach of the Australian Netball team (the Diamonds). Together they won multiple World titles.Joyce was also a fabulous player in her own right. She was the captain of the Australian team to win the first ever World Championship in England in 1963.She was also selected as a player in the Netball Team of the Century.But the influence of Joyce extends beyond the statistics. Joyce was a pioneer, trailblazer and advocate for both netball and women's sport generally. Much of the popularity which netball enjoys today can be attributed to the work of Joyce - even though she would not hear of it.As a coach, she would make it her business to know her players and build relationships. Her role was not only to make her players better athletes but also to be well rounded people with strong values. Joyce was a coach ahead of her time. Someone who would think differently to the prevailing norm. Someone who would look to other sports to improve her game of choice. This episode is a potted history of Australian netball using Joyce as the vehicle to do so.To learn more of Joyce Brown and her thoughts on sport and life generally, would recommend you to read her book ...... No Limits.Until the next episode. That's stumps. Thank you ballboys. Thank you Hawk Eye.

Sid Patterson was an outstanding track cyclist winning two World Amateur titles in the Sprint & Pursuit disciplines and a further two World Professional titles in the Pursuit event.He won Australian titles on the track in twelve consecutive years.It was a time when track cycling was popular in Australia. Crowds would flock to such events and the main drawcard were Sid Patterson & Russell Mockridge. The two were great rivals, team mates and friends. Their personalities were complete contrasts which made the rivalry even more fascinating.Sid was a man of the people. Reserved by nature. Humble in victory. It belied his competitive spirit. He had a strong work ethic and turned up to each event physically prepared and with an eye for detail regarding his equipment. He was fiercely loyal to Australia and did the country proud in his trips to Europe where he took on the best riders in the world.Sid Patterson passed away age 72 years in 1999. This is part of his story. It includes his most satisfying victory - the Austral Wheel Race in 1962.That's stumps. Thank you ball boys. Thank you Hawk Eye.

Cricket "purists" value test cricket over all other forms of the game.And of all the tests ever played, there is a strong argument to say the first test between Australia and West Indies at Brisbane in December 1960 is the greatest match of all.More the 1400 runs, twenty wickets and a match remembered for outstanding fielding exploits. Wins for either side looking likely at some stage or a draw. Yet the result was none of these. It ended in a "tie". The same score after each side was dismissed twice.But its legacy is so much more than being a great game of cricket. The two captains being Ritchie Benaud & Frank Worrall ensured positive attacking cricket was played in great sporting spirit with mutual respect. The teams, match & series captured the imagination of the public and revived a sport that had become less interesting over recent years. At the end of the series in appreciation, there was a ticker tape parade for both teams through the city of Melbourne.. A trophy was struck in honour of Frank Worrall, the first West Indian captain of colour and that trophy is still contested by the teams to this day.It is a fascinating story. Trust you enjoy listening. But for now, that's stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

Herb Elliott is rightfully considered one of Australia's greatest ever athletes.What is amazing is that he competed in one Olympic Games only, and had retired by 22 years of age.In that time, he ran 44 times in races over the mile or 1500m and was undefeated.In doing so, he set multiple world records.After athletics he went on to have a successful business career.Herb Elliott attributes much of his success to his eccentric coach - Percy Cerutty and there is reference to Percy in this episode.Trust you enjoy the episode. For now, that's stumps. Thank you linesman, thank you Hawk eye.

Kel Nagle is sometimes over looked when we talk of the great golfers that Australia has produced. This is an oversight. Kel Nagle won tournaments every year from 1949 to 1975. This included the British, Australian and New Zealand Opens. He also lost a play off for the US Open in 1965 in dramatic circumstances.With no golfing background, not having played the game until age sixteen and not picking up a club from nineteen years of age until twenty-four (due to the war), Kel would go on to become a champion golfer. His wins were in fields containing the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer & Peter Thomson.What endeared Kel Nagle to others was his calm, understated and humble demeanour. He was universally liked and respected.This episode is a small sample of the life of Kel Nagle. Would encourage you to read further on golf in the 1950's & 60's including Peter Thomson, Norman Von Nida & Kel Nagle.Thats stumps, thank you ball boys, thank you Hawkeye. DA

John Devitt was a fine Australian swimmer winning gold medals in individual & relay events in both the Olympic & Commonwealth Games. He also set individual world record times and was part of relay teams that did likewise.After his swimming career ended, he continued to be involved with sport as an administrator. He was President of Swimming Australia and on the Executive of the Australian Olympic Committee, which was instrumental in attracting the Games to Sydney in the year 2000.John is a key figure in one of the greatest controversial results in the history of the Olympic Games. Despite the timekeepers recording a slower time for John Devitt than his competitor in the 100m freestyle event in the 1960 Rome Olympic Games - it was John who was awarded the gold medal. The furore had nothing to do with John, who remained honourable, sporting & statesmanlike throughout the saga. This episode recalls the incident.Trust you enjoy the episode, but for now.................It's stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you hawk eye. DA

Jack Brabham, later to be Sir Jack Brabham was Australia's first Formula One drivers champion.He would win the title on three occasions in a long and successful career.His greatest achievement however was not just winning the drivers title but doing so in car which he designed and built. He was the only person in the history of Formula One to have won the driver and constructors title in the same year. A feat that we can safely say, will never be repeated. A hard competitor on the track. Reserved, dignified and humble when out of his car.A fascinating story of a boy from Sydney with no connection to motor racing who became world champion. Trust you enjoy the episode.That's stumps, thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk eye ........... DA

The "Golden Boy" in the "Golden Era of Australian Tennis" was Lew Hoad.Born in the same month as Ken Rosewall in a neighbouring suburb of Sydney, the two would become best friends, rivals and double partners. Together they would win all of the major singles and doubles titles as well as the Davis Cup victories.Lew Hoad defeated Tony Trabert of the USA in the 4th rubber of the 1953 Davis Cup final in what some described as the greatest match of all time. Hoad was just nineteen years of age. In 1956, Hoad would win the Australian Open, Roland Garros & Wimbledon. He then made it through to the final of the US Open ........... where his opponent was his mate Ken Rosewall. Listen to hear the outcome.Hoad would later turn professional. He would come up against the likes of Frank Sedgman, Pancho Gonzales and Rod Laver. Laver described Lew Hoad as the best player he played against.The Lew Hoad story though is as much about the character and the man off the court. Charming, charismatic, a likeable rouge ........ and great company. He was also a family man with great values of loyalty and generosity.Does Lew Hoad receive appropriate recognition for his feats ? Let me know your thoughts via "[email protected]"For now, that's stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye. DA

At age 17 years at the Melbourne Olympic Games, Murray Rose competed in three swimming events. He won then all.In 1960 at Rome, Murray repeated the gold medal performance in the 400m freestyle event.Although having broken two world records in the lead up to the 1964 Tokyo Games, Murray Rose was not selected to swim for Australia. He attended the Games as a commentator.In 1983, he was voted Australia's greatest ever Olympian.Diet, personal philosophy, overseas study and a self assured nature set Murray Rose apart from others ...... quite aside from his swimming talent.This is a brief summary of the life of Murray Rose. Thank you for listening.Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

The Golden girl of Australian athletics was a shy, unassuming teenager from Western Sydney.Inspired by her teacher (a former Olympian), Betty Cuthbert discovered running. And she had a special talent. Betty would win races at school, in inter club meetings and then nationally. So much so that at age 18 years, Betty was selected to run the 100m & 200m events for Australia in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.Betty would star in those Games. After that there was a period of adversity. But with the support of her strong Christian faith, Betty made a comeback to race in the 1964 Olympic Games at Tokyo. This famous return to the track in the 400m event is legendary in Australian sports history.But, Betty's biggest test in life came after she has ceased competing. Betty was diagnosed with MS. She used her profile to raise awareness of the condition and raise funds for research.Betty Cuthbert was a super athlete and a wonderful person. She was properly declared "a National Treasure"This is part of her story.That's stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you hawk eye

Neville Sellwood was a champion jockey in the 1950's.He won six jockeys premierships in Sydney. In doing, so he rode champion horses Todman & Tulloch.The focus of today's episode is his win aboard Toparoa in the 1955 Melbourne Cup defeating the champion Rising Fast. A race that he may not have won if .............Neville Sellwood rode winners overseas including an English Derby.Cruelly, whilst riding in France, Neville died a a result of a race fall aged 39 years. This is a precis of some of Neville's career. Trust it may encourage you to read further of his life and of the times.That's Stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.DA

John Landy.A champion athlete, a champion person.The second man to break four minutes for the mile - a feat that was once considered impossible to achieve.That set up a match race at the 1954 Vancouver Empire Games against Roger Bannister of England. A race where both runners were to run under the four minute mark again.But John Landy is remembered just as much for his sportsmanship. It was epitomised in a race in 1956, when John ran back to the fallen Ron Clarke to check that he was alright. When satisfied he was okay, John resumed the race ......... and won!Outside of athletics, John had a happy marriage, successful career, was involved in conservation activities .................... & was appointed Governor of the state of Victoria.An amazing man. If ever there was a role model for sport & life - it is in the form of John Landy.Trust you enjoy the episode.That's stumps, thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

Clive Churchill was one of the greatest Rugby League players of all time. He captained the South Sydney Rabbitoh's, NSW and the Australian Kangaroo's.For South Sydney, he played in five premiership teams and coached another four flags.He played in the famous test match of 1950, where Australia broke a drought of series losses against the Great Britain Lions dating back 28 years.Amazingly ...... he stood just 170 cm tall.But Clive Churchill is most famous for changing the way the game was played. He turned the role of the Full back from being purely defensive to initiating counter attacks by running with the ball. Clive Churchill was fast, elusive, tactical ......... and tough.Trust you enjoy his story.That's stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

Merv Wood is one of Australia' finest ever Olympians having competed in four Olympic Games. It would no doubt have been more had the Olympic Games not been cancelled in 1940 & 1944, when Merv would been at his best.He has won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals at different Olympic Games.Twice Merv was given the honour of being the flag carrier for Australia at the opening ceremony of the Games.Quite apart from his sporting career, Merv rose through the ranks of the NSW police force and ultimately became the Commissioner of Police of NSW (though it did not end well).It is a remarkable life.Trust you enjoy reliving his career.That's stumps, thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.......... DA

Russell Mockridge was a two times gold medalist at the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952.He won both his events on the one day.Yet he may never have competed at those games, having been deselected by the Australian Olympic Federation. It was only after Sir Hubert Opperman made representations in Parliament and the City of Geelong posted a bond, that Russell was allowed to compete.In a tragic episode, Russell Mockridge was killed when competing in the Tour of Gippsland in 1958. He was just 30 years of age.Trust you enjoy hearing the story of one of Australia's greatest (& most popular) cyclists. Thanks you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye. DA

Majorie Jackson broke world records and won Olympic & Commonwealth Games gold medals in sprints & relays, but that is only part of her story and legacy.Marjorie was much adored for her reserved and humble nature. This was particularly so in her home town of Lithgow where the locals supported and encouraged her, including building her a cinder track on which she could train.She married fellow Olympian, cyclist Peter Nelson and when he passed away at a young age from Leukaemia, Marjorie established a Foundation that raised funds for Leukaemia research.Marjorie remained part of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games movement being a manager of various Australian teams as well as being part of the Sydney Olympic Organising Committee.In 2001, Marjorie was appointed Governor of Sth Australia. it is an incredible life, well lived which am pleased to be able to share.Hope you enjoy her story.Until next time, thank you balls boys, thank you Hawk Eye..DA

Today we revisit Australian tennis in the late 1940's and early 1950's via the feats of Frank Sedgman. Our main focus is the year 1951.With our recency bias we often don't stop to recall that Frank won 22 Grand Slam titles (including doubles & mixed doubles) in a five year period.He won the Grand Slam of doubles with Ken McGregor and twice won the "triple crown" at a Grand Slam event - that is ....... winning the Singles, Doubles & Mixed doubles.He had an outstanding record in Davis Cup.He was a crowd favourite with an exemplary demeanour on the Court and was understated and modest off it.Trust you enjoy recalling the career of Frank Sedgman - one of Australia's best ever tennis players.Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.DA

Dick Reynolds played and/or coached the Essendon Football Club (the Bombers) in the Australian Rules Football competition - then known as the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1930's, 40's & 50's.With 3 Brownlow medals, 7 Essendon FC best & fairest awards and 4 premierships, he is properly remembered as one of the greatest players of all time - some would say the best.He was skilful, fair and courageous. He had the respect of team mates, opponents and umpires alike. He was idolised by the public, not just Essendon supporters at a time when Australia was in the post depression era and facing war time.Off the field he was humble, understated and a gentleman.This is his story. Trust it motivates others to read of his exploits and talents in more detail. He played along side John Coleman & Bill Hutchison who are also giants of the game and worth researching.Thanks for listening.Until the next episode ....... that's stumps, thank you ball boys, thank you Hawkeye.

Players ready ........ play Today we look at the career of Neil Harvey. Arguably, Australia's greatest left hand batsman. Starting as one of the "Invincible's" in 1948, his test career lasted until 1963. He was one of the stars of the post Bradman era and a favourite of the Australian public given his sportsmanship and style of play. Also a brilliant fielder.We look more closely at the tours of Sth Africa and the Ashes series which both straddle 1950 and in which Australia was successful.Trust that you enjoy the episode.That's stumps, DA

Today's episode of DA's Australian Sports History is simply an introduction as to the nature and purpose of the podcast.It welcomes your interest and invites you to make any comment via "[email protected]"As stated, the aim is to recall events and Australian athletes over time. It is not a definitive history of Australian sport. It is a collection of sports stories which may have been forgotten over the years.Trust you enjoy the episodes and until then ................."That's stumps............. thank you ball boys, thank you Hawkeye. DA