In early July, our Chair John Bertrand AO officially welcomed you to the ‘new’ Sport Australia Hall of Fame by way of announcing the launch of our new website. John noted that
“COVID-19 has… changed the way we work, the way we communicate. The world is transitioning into a different norm – a more digital world – and it’s exciting to be a part of this change.”
I am thrilled to bring to our Members, Scholarship Holders, Sponsors, Partners, friends of sport, and media some exciting news around another key change.
Our Gala dinner, historically held at Crown Melbourne, has long been regarded as one of Australia’s most iconic events, celebrating and showcasing the stars and stories of the nation’s most loved sporting heroes.
But it is more than just a sports ceremony…
Now, for the first time, and with thanks to Sport Australia for their continued support, it is with delight that I inform you the Sport Australia Hall of Fame will come to life on prime time free-to-air television.
The 2020 Sport Australia Hall of Fame program will air nationally on 7mate at 7:00pm (local time in each state) on Friday, December 4, 2020. The program will also be live on 7Plus (7 app) or via 7plus.com.au at the same time.There is no greater roll call of Australian sport stars than the Sport Australia Hall of Fame… from Bradman to Barassi and Fraser to Freeman. Although we can’t celebrate in person, the Seven Network will assemble true Australian sporting greatness.
It will be a night when the Nation will have unprecedented access to hear from and celebrate the very best Australian sport has to offer; a night when our heroes will share some of their untold stories.
Who are our 2020 Awardees?
Produced by JAM TV Australia and staged within an innovative and virtual television context, this will look, feel and sound different to any other sports presentation currently on television. It will be a production where ceremony meets documentary, and live interviews meet the best highlight reel Australian sport has delivered in the past 12 months.
This production is not just about presenting nine awards. Rather, it will take viewers inside the biggest moments of the inductees’ careers…and tell the stories behind the stories we know and love including:
- Induction of seven new Australian sporting greats into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame as Members
- One current Member will be elevated to the 42nd Legend of Australian Sport
- Naming of the most outstanding Australian sports person or team who, by their achievements and example over the last 12 months, are considered to have had the capacity to most inspire the nation by awarding them The Don Award for 2020
It will be inspiring. It will be innovative. It will be intrinsically Australian.
Finally, I share with you an exceptional podcast from Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair and Legend, John Bertrand AO. It makes for compelling listening and I congratulate American company, Blenheim Partners and John on a terrific podcast.
In this podcast John looks back on the historic day Australia won the America’s Cup having to overcome a 3-1 deficit and drawing the courage, conviction and cunning to conquer the Americans.
