Dawnie ‘makes us proud to be Australians’: Sport heroes’ get well wishes for Dawn Fraser
The outpouring of love for national treasure Dawn Fraser as she recovers from four busted ribs and a hip operation after a fall continues, with sporting legends adding to the accolades.
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Fellow sporting legends have sent a flurry of good wishes to Olympic hero Dawn Fraser as the swimming great recovers in hospital from a fall last week.
After an outpouring of get well messages on Monday when The Daily Telegraph broke the news Fraser was seriously injured, rugby league Immortal “King” Wally Lewis sent his best wishes via Fraser’s daughter.
“Dawn has always has the respect of people from all walks of life, and not just those interested in sport,” Lewis told The Daily Telegraph.
“I messaged (her daughter) Dawn-Lorraine and I’m sure I am just one of tens of thousands.
“Her determination, her will to win, I’m in absolute awe of Dawn. You see her achievements and you can only be gobsmacked.
“She’s a great and wonderful lady who has also provided extraordinary assistance to the champions of tomorrow.
“It’s quite remarkable how she always has time for people and to offer advice, and she certainly loves her footy.
“Dawn makes Australians proud to be Australian.”
In hospital from serious injuries suffered in a fall at her Noosa home last week, Fraser underwent hip replacement surgery on Thursday, was in intensive care until Monday, and
remains in hospital to recover from the operation, four broken ribs and a gashed arm.
Cricket great Doug Walters, who arrived on the international stage the year after Dawn won her third successive Olympic gold medal in the 100 metres freestyle at the 1964 Tokyo Games, echoed Lewis’ sentiments.
“I was very aware of her feats in the pool,” he said. “Unbelievable … and I wish her all the best for a speedy recovery.”
Raelene Boyle, a Legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and three-time Olympic silver medallist on the athletics track in 1968 and 1972, added: “I wish Dawn all the best and hope everything goes well.”
Swimming star Lani Pallister — a gold medallist at this year’s Paris Olympics — is Dawn’s goddaughter.
Pallister and her mother Janelle Elford — a 1988 Olympian and now a coach — sent an emotional message from Hungary where the pair are with the Australian swim team for the world short course championships.
“Hearing about her fall has been both stressful and frightening, given the relationship we share,” they said in a statement.
“Dawn is not just an extraordinary athlete and icon, she is an incredibly special part of our life, and her wellbeing is always in our thoughts, regardless of any injury or illness she may face.
“We are relieved to hear that she is doing well and is receiving the care she needs from her family and the hospital staff.”
Dawn made the trip to France in August to witness Pallister winning gold as part of Australia’s 4x200m freestyle relay.
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