- Liam ___________________________ . In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse http://itsoch.hypermart.net KOLA Action Group http://kola-hq.hypermart.net Journey of Healing http://www.journeyofhealing.com .___________________________ -----Original Message----- From: Webcentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, October 18, 1999 9:10 AM Subject: [atsic] Media Release: Australia's Greatest Sporting Icons > 14 October 1999 > >Australia's greatest sporting icons > >Indigenous stars from Australia's two leading football codes, the AFL's >Nicky Winmar and the NRL's Cliff Lyons were historic joint winners of the >1999 National Sportsman of the Year award at the 7th National Aboriginal and >Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards in Hobart tonight. > >Described by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission deputy >chairman Ray Robinson as Australia's greatest living sporting icons, Winmar >and Lyons, accepted their awards in front of a capacity audience of 450 >people at Wrest Point Casino. > >Commissioner Robinson said the two footballers were arguably the most >popular sportsmen in Australia and their dominance and longevity in their >respective codes reflected their commitment, determination and passion for >success. > >Commissioner Robinson said: "Their greatness and strength lies not only >with their superb skills but with how they have overcame serious obstacles >along the way." > >Commissioner Robinson described Nicky Winmar as an inspirational light for >all Aboriginal people. > >"Nicky is proud of his Aboriginality and has endured his share of racial >sledging during his brilliant career. Who will ever forget the St Kilda >match against Collingwood in 1993 when Nicky's simple gesture made all of us >sit up and take notice of the ugly side of sport? > >" Nicky has never been more eloquent or effective for our people than he was >in that moment. His stance against racism changed the game forever. > >"Nicky is arguably the most creative player ever to play Australian Rules. >He is the first Aboriginal player to play over 250 AFL games and was one of >the driving force behind the AFL's Racial Vilification Code. > >"Aboriginal people are playing at AFL level in record numbers and all of >them are gifted but few can compete with the extraordinary skills of Nicky. > >"He has the complete set of footy skills. A magnificent high-flying mark, a >long, accurate kick, pin point passes by hand and foot and a fierce and >effective tackler," said Commissioner Robinson. > >Winmar has won several best and fairest awards, All Australian and State of >Origins selections, equal third in a Brownlow Medal, leading goal kicker and >a night premiership. > > > > > >But this year, his first with top AFL club Western Bulldogs, has proven to >be one of his most special because of tonight's award and earlier this year >his being awarded one of his greatest treasures - the 1999 NAIDOC >Sportsperson of the Year Award. > >When talking about Aboriginal Rugby League players at the highest level it >is doubtful if any one player has been discussed more than Manly Warringah's >Cliff Lyons. > >Commissioner Robinson said Cliff Lyons legend had achieved icon status >because of his grace, athleticism and determination to win. > >"Cliff is truly an enigma in today's game. The more complex rugby league >gets the more precious and valuable Cliff becomes," Commissioner Robinson >said. > >"He has been described as the master of deception and his sleight of hands >still bewilders many of today's players. > >"I believe Cliff's greatest attribute is that he sees opportunities that are >not apparent to other players. He has an acute awareness of what is around >him and clarity of thinking in the frenzy of the moment not found in his >opponents." > >Commissioner Robinson said that Cliff Lyons' extraordinary achievements >clearly identify him as one of the greatest players in rugby league. > >" Cliff has played over 300 premiership matches, won the Dally M Player of >the Year twice, and was the Clive Churchill Medal winner. > >"He has represented Australia 13 times, was selected in a Rest of the World >team, played in two premiership winning sides for Manly Warringah and was >instrumental in having an Aboriginal team play in the World Sevens >competition. > >" However I believe his greatest rugby league achievement is still to come, >when Cliff captains the Aboriginal Rugby League Team in the forthcoming Test >Match against Papua New Guinea." > >Commissioner Robinson said it is more than Nicky Winmar and Cliff Lyons >sporting achievements that endear them to all Australians. Sporting fans or >not, all Australians admire their strength and the reflection in their >characters of the best of what it is to be Australian. > > > >Further Information: Paul Molloy 0419 690 926 > ATSIC Office of Public Affairs > >Craig Sproule >Office of Public Affairs - ATSIC >Ph: 02 6121 4952 >Fax: 02 6282 2854 >E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > ------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." 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