My Sporting Hero

Greg Growden, Chief Rugby Union correspondent at The Sydney Morning Herald, asked Australian identities to nominate and share their stories of sportspeople whom they have admired. Contributions he received include people who passed on a love of sport, coaches, international stars, underdog sporting teams and of course dads. At this moment in history, and indeed at any time, it is valuable to stop and reflect on people and events who through personal contact, or just knowledge of their existence, have helped each of us strive to do better, or made us feel better. As well as celebrating the spirit of sport, this collection provides an insight into who and what in sport inspires, arouses feelings in and motivates individuals, and illustrates that heroes still exist. Includes Wendy Harmer on Geoff Toovey, Forbes Carlile on Snowy Baker, Siobhan Paton on Daniel Kowalski, Mike Carlton on his dad sprinter Jim Carlton, Mike Coleman on the synchronised swim team, David Williamson on John Landy, Sally Loane on Bob Templeman, Premier Peter Beattie on Arthur Beetson, Susie Moroney on her brother, John O'Neill on Tim Horan, Martin Flanagan on Gypsy Lee, Rex Hunt on Greg Norman and Ron Barrassi, Ken Arthurson on Bozo Bob Fulton, The Yellow Wiggle Greg on Justin Langer, Garrie Hutchinson, Priya Cooper, Norman May, Eddie Jones on Ian Chappell, Ron Barrassi, Jeff Fenech, Jon Cleary, John Brogden MP on Wayne 'Junior' Pearce, Ted Egan, Warwick Hadfield, Ian Heads, Craig Young, Peter FitzSimons and Spiro Zavos on Keith Miller, David Pescud, Peter Fenton, Roy Masters on Tom Raudonikis, Kirsten Thomson on Susie O'Neill, Simon Poidevin on Evan Fraser, Max Presnell on the bucking bull Chainsaw, Alan Attwood on Cliff Young, Malcolm Knox, Tom Carroll, Gordon Bray, Mikey Robins on his dad, Jim Maxwell, Rob Sitch on Arnold Palmer, David Salter and General Cosgrove on John Eales.