Sporting Greats

The extraordinary Sydney-born Annette Kellerman (1886–1975) held all world records for women’s swimming at the age of just 16. Named the “Australian mermaid” and “the perfect woman” she was an international star of silent films, a stunt and vaudeville aquatic performer and entrepreneur. Kellerman was also a fashion pioneer. In 1907 she was arrested on a Boston beach for wearing a brief one-piece swimsuit. Subsequent publicity ensured that the one-piece bathing costume became a worldwide trend. 

Athletics star Decima Norman (1909–1983) was the only Australian woman to win five gold medals (for the 100- and 220-yards sprint, broad jump, and the 440- and 660-yards medley relay) at the British Empire Games (later the Commonwealth Games), held in Sydney in 1938. This record remained unsurpassed until Susie O’Neal’s six gold medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Norman would have competed at the 1940 Helsinki Olympic Games but World War II intervened and the Games were cancelled. 

Perth-born Francis (Frank) Ponta (1935–2011) competed in five Paralympic Games, winning a gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze medal. A versatile athlete, he was proficient in several sports, including wheelchair racing, wheelchair fencing, para-swimming and wheelchair basketball. Ponta made an unmatched contribution to the Paralympic movement in Australia as an athlete, coach and administrator. He was the inaugural inductee into the Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame and in 2010 the Frank Ponta Cup was introduced by Basketball Australia.