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Dick Smith – Dick
is a businessman, film-maker, explorer and highly experienced aviator.
He has the enviable talent of successfully managing risks to his advantage,
an invaluable skill for a man who has broken many world records. His
daring adventures range from flying hot air balloons incredible distances
to being the first person to fly solo around the world in a helicopter,
and successfully navigating both the North and South Poles. (photo
courtesy of Dick Smith) |
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Kostya Tszyu – World Boxing Champion
(1995–1997 and 1998–present), Kostya was born in Siberia,
Russia and is only one of a handful of boxers to reign as undisputed
champion of the world by winning all three belts in his weight division.
Kostya moved to Australia in 1992, feeling there were more opportunities
for a boxing career than in his homeland. This meant relinquishing
the opportunity to represent Russia in the 1992 Olympics, where many
felt Kostya was likely to win a gold medal. An ambassador of Australian
Amateur boxing, Kostya lives in Sydney with his wife and three children. |
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Layne Beachley – A six-time world
surfing champion (1998–2003), Layne is statistically the greatest
female surfer in history. When she won her sixth consecutive world
title in December 2003, she became the first surfer in the world,
male or female, to do so. (Photo courtesy of Billabong
Australia) |
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Alan Jones – Now a well-known
media personality, in the 1980s Alan was coach of Australia’s
national rugby union team, the Wallabies. Under Alan’s leadership
the Wallabies had victories in 102 matches and won 23 Tests out of
30. Alan is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most gifted
coaches and public speakers, having the ability to tap into people’s
psyches to bring out their best.(photo courtesy of
Alan Jones) |
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Mark Taylor – The Australian
cricket captain from 1994 to 1999, Mark is one of Australia’s
most successful test players and captains. He made his international
debut in 1988/9 against the West Indies in Sydney and then, in 1994,
was appointed captain of the Australian team. In 1998 Mark equalled
Sir Donald Bradman’s Australian test batting record of 334 runs
(not out) against Pakistan. Mark captained Australia in 50 tests,
winning 26, losing 13 and drawing 11. He is now a commentator on Channel
Nine.(photo courtesty of The Fordham Company) |
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Wayne Bennett – Wayne was rugby
league coach for the Australian Kangaroos (2004–2005), Queensland
State of Origin, and the Brisbane Broncos. Formerly a police officer,
Wayne is regarded as one of the all-time great rugby league coaches.
He has taken the Brisbane Broncos to five premiership wins and overseen
as many series wins by the Maroons in State of Origin. |
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Ron & Valerie Taylor – The
Australian husband and wife team have been at the forefront of underwater
filming since the early 1960s. They have provided footage for many
television and film productions, including that of white pointer sharks
for the hit movie Jaws. The Taylors have developed a name around the
world for their ability to capture footage of sharks in their native
habitats. |
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Gaby Kennard – In 1989, Gaby
became the first Australian woman to fly solo around the world in
a single-engine plane. She encountered many challenges during her
99-day, 29,000 nautical–mile journey, including mortgaging her
house to raise the funds and facing the possibility of leaving her
two young children motherless. It is no surprise then that Gaby’s
achievements have been hailed as an inspiration to all. |
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Jeff Fenech – Triple World Boxing
Champion (1985–1989), Jeff captured the hearts of Australians
with his sheer determination and bravery, winning fights even when
it meant competing with broken hands. In 1984 he represented Australia
at the Olympic Games, narrowly missing the gold medal due to a controversial
decision. Jeff has received countless accolades and awards for his
boxing achievements. |
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Jim ‘the Pumper’ Cassidy
– At 41 years old, Jim is still rated as one of Australia’s
top jockeys, despite being born in New Zealand. At the time of writing,
he was the only jockey still riding to have won Australian racing’s
‘big four’: The Melbourne Cup (twice), Caulfield cup,
Cox Plate and the Golden Slipper. With 96 first-place wins to his
credit, Jim won his first Melbourne Cup in 1983 riding Kiwi. Then
in 1997 he won it again riding Might & Power.(photo
courtesty of Steve Hart) |
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Joe Bugner – World Heavy Weight
Boxing Champion (1998), Joe was born in Hungary and launched his pro
boxing career in London in 1967. He has since been warmly embraced
by Australians and claimed as one of our own. Joe earned a reputation
for courage and determination in the ring by taking on world champions
Muhammad Ali (twice) and Joe Frazier. In 1975 Joe challenged Ali for
the world heavyweight title only to lose on points. Then in 1998,
at the age of 48, Joe made a spectacular comeback by becoming the
WBF Heavyweight Champion of the world. |
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Steve Van Zwieten – With more
than 26 years’ experience in the industry, Steve is one of Australia’s
leading experts in the field of corporate security and surveillance.
As Corporate Security/Surveillance Director for Penrith Panthers Group,
and also Senior Regional Vice President of Australasia for the International
Security Organization ASIS International, his expert advice is often
sought by the media for stories on security and surveillance. |
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Stephen Gall – Five-time Australian
motocross champion (1978–1982) Stephen is one of the most influential
figures in shaping Australian motocross. As well as competing at an
elite level in sprint car racing, Stephen writes technical columns
in motocross magazines and is hailed as the country’s most experienced
motocross instructor. He has also founded his own company, which manufactures
orthopaedic knee braces to protect riders from knee injuries. |
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