Dinner 2012
The 2012 Festival dinner celebrated the success of the 2012 Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams and the end of the London campaign. Guests included Craig Phillips and John Coates from the AOC and Olympians, Malcolm Page, Jared Tallent, Alicia Coutts, Kimberley Crow, Ellie Cole and Murray Stewart. John Coates was the keynote speaker and the athletes took part in a panel discussion led by host Stephanie Brantz. Follow the links for footage of the evening or browse the playlist at the bottom of thispage.
Highlights of the Evening
An Olympic Story: Too Tough to Lose - Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Warwick Morgan
Introduced by Minister Lundy and Senator Colbeck, Warwick told us the amazing story of his father Laurie, dual gold medalist in equestrian at the 1960 Olympic Games after playing 34 games in the late 30s for Fitzroy.
Trophy Ceremony for the Australian Parliament Snooker Championship - Presented by Jane McKeon, Virgin Australia
- Winner: Anthony ‘The Hurricane’ Albanese
- Runner Up: The Wizard of Wannon, Dan Tehan
Australian Parliament Sports Club Community Sport Awards - Presented by Club Patron and Speaker of the House, The Hon Peter Slipper MP
- Sport for All Award Winner - The Australian Paralympic Committee (CEO Jason Helwig)
The 2012 team, a 161-strong has been the country’s most successful in its Paralympic history, including trumping the Sydney contingent.The swim team highlighted that performance, raking in 18 gold medals and bettering the previous best of 14 in 2000
- Sustainable Sport Award Winner - Football United (CEO Anne Bunde-Birouste)
Football United is a leading organisation that uses football for social development. It is important to understand why football is seen as a tool that can be used to better society.
A Voice for Sport - Stephanie Brantz in conversation with John Coates AC
John provided an interesting and informative insight into the 2012 London Games, taking us through the highs and the lows, the expectation, the reflection and what the future holds.
Group Forum - Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
This was an absolute highlight of the evening, the group forum provided anecdotal stories from some of Australia’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic medalists and the amazing journey’s they had taken to get there.
Best Team Performance - Awarded by Medibank and presented by CEO George Savvides
- Joint Winners: Sri Lankan High Commission (Cricket) Afghanistan Embassy (Football)
The art of sport diplomacy was shown at its best by High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe from Sri Lanka and Ambassador Nasir Ahmad Andisha from Afghanistan. Both diplomats chose to captain winning teams in their respective sports ensuring due notice was taken of the sporting prowess of their countries. The winners then graciously donated the generous prize of $500 in sports equipment to Football United whereupon Medibank quadrupled the prize to a $2000 donation. The generosity of all involved is acknowledged with thanks.
