our great sporting moments remembered - Melbourne Cricket Club

CLUB NEWSIT’S AN ACTION-PACKEDEXPERIENCEOne of the most appealing features of the NationalSports Museum is the use of sound and action footageto bring various displays to life.On opening day, as one of the Legends of the Sport AustraliaHall of Fame, Betty Cuthbert was able to see footage of herselfhurtling down the track to win gold at the Games in 1956.A few metres away, there was a priceless cache of her medalsand equipment on display in the Olympic exhibition. Bettythought the new museum was “just wonderful”, a couple ofwords that also describe our Golden Girl’s achievements andher ability to battle on despite long-term disability.In the huge football exhibition, Australia’s Game, championEssendon ruckman Simon Madden saw himself tapping the ballperfectly in the 1984 Grand Final.And Ron Barassi was chuckling as he watched an old World ofSport clip of the handball competition, where his effort with theleft hand failed to even hit the board, let alone the bull’s-eye!Around the corner, guests were listening to early footballbroadcasts at the push of a button, a simple device but illustrativeof the impact modern technology can have in today’s museums.The message is that the NSM is a non-stop entertainmentexperience, as reverent or as racy as you want it to be, full ofpriceless material but also full of fun.We suggest you plan a visit soon.A GENEROUSGESTURECommissioned by David andDiana Jones and generouslydonated by them to the club,Alex Zubryn’s painting of the newMCG captures what the ground is allabout – providing the finest facilitiesfor people to watch sport.The work is large (3.5m x 2.5m)and commanding, drawing the viewerwith a sense of fun as Great SouthernStand terrace patrons watch thecricket and take in the new grandstandbeyond. The painting is hangingprominently near the lifts on Level 3.The function to unveil the paintingwas an opportune occasion to presentformer president David with anembossed photo album featuring imagesfrom his time at the helm and theredevelopment work under his watch.FREEMAN STORYFEATUREDPerhaps our most charismatic femaleathlete for decades and a NationalSports Museum ambassador,Catherine Freeman is well representedat the MCG.On display in the Olympic exhibitionuntil September 30 is the Swift SuitCatherine wore winning the 400m atSydney, while a temporary exhibitiontraces her life from school days.The Freeman story is one of triumphover adversity, a journey from outbackQueensland to international stardom, butit’s the next phase of her life that Catherineis now keen to promote.She has established the CatherineFreeman Foundation with a charter to“create pathways to a brighter future”,specifically through fostering thedevelopment of indigenous athletes andstarting with the kids on Palm Island, towhich her mother’s family is closelyconnected.The Freeman display includes somemarvellous photographs and objects froma stellar career. There’s the outfit shewore when lighting the flame at Sydney,the Edwin Flack Award for services toNSM guides John Kerley (right) and 50-yearmember Bruce Gregory admire CatherineFreeman’s Swift Suit, on display in theOlympic exhibition.athletics, childhood trophies and even thekey to the City of Bundaberg! It’s wellworth a look.14 MCC NEWSJULY 2008