Every weekend sporting contests around the country generate stories that we tell and retell, and Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation will be exploring some of Australia’s many favourite sporting stories.
Featured prominently in the exhibition will be many magical moments from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, including photos of Cathy Freeman Igniting the Olympic Flame by Jamie Squire, and Australian and New Zealand Rugby Union players being lifted in the line-out during the First Game of the Bledisloe Cup at ANZ Stadium (2012) by Greg Power and the 2015 NRL Grand Final, ANZ Stadium, by Mark Kolbe.
A selection of Emma McKeon’s gold medals from various Olympic and Commonwealth Games; the outfit worn by Ash Barty during her victorious 2021 Wimbledon campaign; an autographed cricket bat used by Don Bradman; the ‘State of Origin’ shield awarded from 1980 to 1991 depicting Brett Kenny and Wally Lewis; and an Olympic torch from the Sydney 2000 Olympics are among the highlights on display.
Dr Guy Hansen, Director of Exhibitions at the Library and one of the exhibition curators, says sport is a storytelling machine and looking at photographs, pictures and objects relating to Australian sporting history, reminds us how powerful these stories are.
“Watching the contest is an immersive experience – the rest of the world disappears. There is suspense and surprise, there is exaltation and despair,” he said.
“You are taken on a journey which has a definite end, even though you might not always like the result.”
The free exhibition at the National Library in Canberra will run until Sunday, November 5.
