Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame facts for kids

The Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame celebrates amazing Indigenous Australians. These are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They have achieved great things in their chosen sports. It started in 1994. The Hall of Fame was a project by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and Macquarie University. Colin Tatz managed the project. People inducted into the Hall of Fame are sometimes called "Black Diamonds". This name comes from the first book about the project, published in 1996.

History of the Hall of Fame

A statue of boxer Lionel Rose in Warragul, Victoria.

The idea for the Hall of Fame came from Chris "Honky" Clark. He directed a sports center in Condobolin, New South Wales. Chris wanted to inspire young Indigenous people. He thought sports photographs would help. But a permanent photo exhibition was too costly.

Musician and historian Ted Egan suggested a book instead. This led to the book Black Diamonds: The Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame. It was published in 1996. The Hall of Fame was a joint effort. It involved ATSIC and Macquarie University. Colin Tatz led the project. His son, Paul Tatz, took the photographs.

First Members and Growth

The first group of 129 members was chosen by famous Indigenous athletes. These included Mark Ella, Sydney Jackson, Faith Thomas, and Charlie Perkins. Three non-Indigenous historians also helped. They were Ted Egan, Colin Tatz, and Alick Jackomos.

In 1999, 43 more members were added. The selection committee included many sports stars. Some were Arthur Beetson and Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Others were Lloyd McDermott and Mark Ella. Charlie Perkins and Ted Egan also helped. Three statisticians helped with facts. They were Colin Hutchinson, David Middleton, and George Bracken. After this, a new book was published. It was called Black Gold : the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame. It listed all 172 members with short stories about them.

Where is the Hall of Fame now?

As of 2000, the Hall of Fame did not have a permanent home. But there were many photo exhibitions across Australia. Colin and Paul Tatz gave 110 photos from the Hall of Fame. They donated them to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

More people were added to the Hall of Fame over the years. In 2008, seven Aboriginal selectors helped choose new members. These included Arthur Beetson, Lloyd McDermott, and Nova Peris. By 2018, the Hall of Fame had 276 members. The 2018 selection panel included Gary Ella, Katrina Fanning, and Nova Peris.

How Athletes Are Chosen

A giant tennis racquet in Barellan, New South Wales, honoring Evonne Goolagong.

To become a member, athletes had to meet certain rules. Here are some of the ways they could be chosen:

• They represented Australia or their state/territory in a sport.
• They held a national or international record or title.
• They achieved a special "first" or had an amazing performance.
• For Australian football, they were famous senior players or won medals.
• They had great success as referees or umpires.
• They helped create Indigenous teams through coaching or organizing.
• Their contribution helped strengthen Aboriginal or Islander identity.

Hall of Fame Members

People inducted into the Hall of Fame are sometimes called "Black Diamonds".

Lynch Cooper and his challengers in 1930. He was a world professional sprinter.

Cathy Freeman at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

See also

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards