Rebecca Wilson: The side you didn’t see of fearless sports journalist
TONY Thomas, a longtime colleague and friend, recalls the softer side of one of the country’s finest sports journalists Rebecca Wilson, who sadly died aged 54 this morning.
NSW
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IT was 2009 and the annual Pride Of Australia Medal ceremony.
As she had done since the ceremony inception in 2005, Rebecca Wilson was our compere.
As we sat going through the runsheet for the day’s events, checking pronunciation of names, checking the timings of each award, Rebecca was calmly adding to her notes.
I then said thanks to her, thanks for being our host once again. Her response was swift: “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.’’
It wasn’t because it was a paying gig. It wasn’t.
It was because she wanted to be there, wanted to be among people who had done such extraordinary things, wanted to tell their stories for all to hear.
This was the side of Rebecca Wilson many didn’t get to see.
She is rightly remembered now as a fearless and uncompromising journalist, devoted to her opinions and staunch defender of truth and honesty.
She did not suffer fools, or as she called them “jibberers”, lightly.
And then there were days like Pride Of Australia.
Did she let her guard down a little? I don’t think so.
I like to think the little tears in her eyes when she’s interviewing a brave young child, or the raucous laughter when she puts at ease another nervous winner, are parts of the real Rebecca Wilson, the everyday version loved by her family and friends.
At the 2009 ceremony, the last award was for the Child of Courage. It was won by the bravest of little girls, Molly Wood, survivor of that horrible car crash into the Roundhouse childcare centre in 2003.
Rebecca called Molly to the lectern but then bent down on her knee to talk to Molly at her level.
In a softer tone, she spoke quietly to Molly about what she had been through. I could see Molly, more nervous than ever before, warming to Rebecca.
After a few words, Rebecca gave Molly a big hug. It was the type of hug any proud mother would give to their son or daughter.
I remember thinking at the time, with a tear or two in my eye, I could have no better host of Pride Of Australia than Rebecca Wilson.
I’ll miss her compassion, her warmth, her unbridled passion, her respect of all others, her genuine sense of caring.
And I’ll remember those Pride Of Australia moments when she made me cry, made all of us cry, simply because of the type of person she is.
Thanks Bec.
Tony Thomas is the Daily and Sunday Telegraph deputy managing editor
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