NATIONAL SPORTS MUSEUM

Established at the MCG in Melbourne with a $25million grant from the Federal Government, the National Sports Museum opened on March 12th this year. To quote from the Visitor Guide –

“A sporting moment happens once. Never to be repeated. A split second in time, captured forever. They live in the minds of the people: who competed, who were there, and who pass their stories from generation to generation. They shape our collective view of ourselves, and our country. They become a blueprint for what we value and an inspiration for all.”

The National Sports Museum showcases more that 2,500 objects related to the greatest moments in Australia’s sporting history. The Museum seeks to capture the spirit of Australian sporting life and relive the moments that have shaped Australia’s rich sporting traditions. Orienteering is represented in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Roll of Honour where Tom Andrews is honoured. Tom was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992 for his administrative contribution to sport in founding the Orienteering Federation of Australia in 1972, serving as Chair of the International Orienteering Federation Promotion & Development Committee (1980 – ’82) and for being a driving force behind the successful bid by Australia to host the 1985 World Orienteering Championships. Tom also started the Red Kangaroos club in Victoria (whose offshoot clubs include Red Roos (ACT) and Red Kiwis (NZ)). Of course, it’s not just Orienteering which will attract you. In the Cricket Gallery there’s the largest collection of baggy green caps ever seen. And did you know that our Olympians going to the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris also wore baggy green caps? In the Olympic Gallery there’s the original 1956 Olympic Flame cauldron lit by Ron Clarke at the MCG. The cauldron was lost and forgotten for 30 years before it was found languishing in a council storage depot. There’s film of Betty Cuthbert’s triumphs at the 1956 Games and of Julius (Judy) Patching, in his orange Chief Starter’s coat, holding the gun to start the marathon. Right beside the screen hangs that orange coat. Ian Thorpe’s black swimsuit is there and so is Cathy Freeman’s sleek multi-coloured suit. There are many Olympic medals on display, including the medals and wreaths awarded to Edwin Flack, Australia’s first Olympian. Naturally, AFL has a significant presence. Displays show the many changes in clubs’ playing uniforms over the years, and that Alex Jesaulenko mark over Collingwood’s ‘Jerker’ Jenkins is featured in a larger than life sculpture. And there’s film of the 1909 Grand Final in which South Melbourne beat Carlton by 2 points. Other sports are well represented too – the two Rugbys, Netball, Hockey, Cycling, Boxing, Basketball, Tennis, Golf, Soccer (aka Football), etc, etc. And, if you happen to visit on a Monday you may find your Editor on duty as a volunteer.