Sporting megastars gather in Melbourne for Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Gala Dinner
There were superstars everywhere at Crown, from Dawn Fraser, Raelene Boyle, Kevin Sheedy to Ian Thorpe, Cadel Evans and Anna Meares, with one legend saying they felt like a “kid in a candy store”. See all the pictures.
Australia’s sporting heroes were like “kids in a candy store” as the stars converged in Melbourne for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Gala Dinner on Monday night.
From Dawn Fraser to Raelene Boyle, Kevin Sheedy to Ian Thorpe, Cadel Evans to Anna Meares, there was no shortage of stars and luminaries at Crown.
“I really do feel like a kid in a candy store when it comes to this event,” surfing icon Layne Beachley said.
“All the legends of Australian sport in the one room. Ian, Cathy, Dawn of course, it’s really the one time when we can all catch up.”
New inductee Torah Bright was accompanied by her extended family, saying “I feel like I’m 16”.
“It truly is an honour. I didn’t expect it at all,” she said.
Another new inductee, tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, was joined by his parents, wife Bec and daughter Ava.
He is due to play alongside son Cruz in a doubles match at a challenger event in Sydney on Tuesday.
“It’s good for not only me but for my career,” he said.
“A real honour.”
Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall, also a new inductee, said it was “very exciting.”
“It’s very different, I feel a little out of my depth because you’re talking about sports people who have achieved so much in their careers,” Dunstall said.
“It’s a great privilege nevertheless. I had a great bunch of teammates, right club, right time and it was a perfect spot.
“Life was a little bit simpler back then as a forward … it’s a very, very different game now.”
Leigh Matthews said Dunstall deserved his place among the elite.
“He had a magnificent career, I often say the first of the forwards who chased and tackled,” Matthews said.
Footy great Chris Judd was also there with his mum, while commentating legend Bruce McAvaney hit the red carpet alongside Natalie Cook and Nick Green.
Elevated to legend status were cricket great Belinda Clark and basketball royalty Andrew Gaze.
Among more than 1000 guests were the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Patron, John Howard, and the family of F1 driver Oscar Piastri.
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