As our athletes competed for Olympic and Paralympic glory in Tokyo, we thought it timely to celebrate some sporting achievements closer to home.
So we asked our clients, volunteers, supporters and staff to tell us about one of their more memorable sporting moments.
Whether you achieved fame, a pat on the back or had an amusing or embarrassing sporting anecdote, we wanted to know.
We had a great response covering a variety of activities and pastimes. Enjoy this selection of submissions, which will soon be available as a booklet.
Featured stories
Shirley Strickland’s in my garage!
Eleven year-old Tina Mulholland was hitting a tennis ball in her garage. She turned to see Olympic gold medalist, Shirley Strickland, standing in the driveway. Tina’s hurdling lesson
Irritating neighbours in the name of tennis
As a young boy keen on tennis, John Bailey’s neighbours found him really annoying, hitting tennis balls against their walls and “irritating them no end”. John bounces back
I want to be like Torvill & Dean
At the age of seven, Jo Goch went to an ice skating party and was instantly hooked. By the time she turned 15, international competition beckoned. Jo’s skating journey
Wearing the green and gold
Nine year-old Charlie and his sister, six year-old Emilia, really got in the spirit of the Olympic games, keen to support their Olympic heroes. Charlie and Emilia zoom in style
Our million metre swimmer
In August 2010, Bruce Sweeting clocked a personal milestone – swimming one million metres in masters competition. Bruce graduates from ‘Shivering Sharks’
Connecting with royalty through table tennis
Little did Hayedeh Riahi know that a trip to Tehran for a national high school table tennis championship would result in a photo with the Queen. Hayedeh meets the Queen
Who can do the most burpees?
Unable to do exercise classes in lockdown, our Social Support Coordinator, Johanna Lawrence, decided to set up a gym in the office. Working out with Jo
Challenging the dress code
When Clare Wagstaff got ‘a bit vocal’ about the dress code and the old-fashioned rules at her bowling club, they decided to make her club President. Challenging the code
My Steven Bradbury moment
Aged 4, Melanie Corner says her sporting career peaked at her school’s sports day. Mel’s favourite, the skipping race, is etched in her memory. Gold star performance
Melbourne Olympics Scout Leader
Tom Miles’s father, Brian, was part of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He led the scouts, who helped out at the medal presentations. Scout Leader Brian
Karate’s Team Australia, with a few ring-ins
In 1992, Graham O’Hearn lead an Australian karate team to the All Japan championships. But appearances can be deceiving. Karate ring-ins
Poetry in motion
Tess Tims may not be able to jump, throw or kick, or swing a racquet, but she really does hit it out of the park when it comes to word play. Poetry in motion
Making friends on the water
When Ginie Udy went kayaking in Florida, she was looking forward to making new friends. But one encounter was a little too close for comfort. Curious croc eyes off Ginie
