Four Tasmanian champions were inducted into the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in Launceston on 2 October 2009.
Amidst family, friends and representatives from their sport, each inductee was honoured with a special presentation of their career highlights, after which they impressed the audience with insights into their lives as athletes performing at the highest level of their sport.
Angela Deacon (judo) (represented by her father John Deacon), John McCormack (motor racing), Kylie Risk (athletics) and Alisa Denne (softball) were each presented with a leather-bound honour roll, a traditional hall of fame plinth and a hall of fame member pin by the Minister for Sport and Recreation Michelle O’Byrne and a young athlete from their respective sports.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Michelle O’Byrne (front, centre) with inductees (L to R) Kylie Risk, Ali Denne, John McCormack and John Deacon (representing Angela Deacon).
Young athletes Joshua Burdon (motor racing), Natalea Smith, Jillian Lyall (athletics) and Emma Oliver (softball) were very excited to be part of a ceremony honouring those who have achieved at the level they too are aspiring to reach.
L to R: Joshua Burdon, John McCormack, Kylie Risk, Michelle O’Byrne MP, Jillian Lyall, John Deacon, Natalea Smith, Ali Denne and Emma Oliver
Representing her husband Mervyn Youd, who was unable to attend due to illness, Hazell Youd and grandson Aaron read aloud a telegram written by Merv welcoming the new inductees on behalf of all the current members. Merv was also profiled during the ceremony as the oldest living hall of fame member.
Minister O’Byrne described the members of the Sporting Hall of Fame as true sporting champions who show determination, humility, a sense of fair play and strength of character, and are role models for our young people.
“Angela, John, Kylie and Alisa have joined a prestigious club of Tasmanian sporting champions,” said Ms O’Byrne.
The 2009 induction ceremony also marked a special day in the history of the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame, now in its 23rd year, with the induction of the 100th Tasmanian athlete. The induction of Deacon, McCormack, Risk and Denne, now takes the total number of members to 102.
Angela Deacon
Angela was the first Australian to win the Commonwealth Judo Championships, which she achieved in the under 56 kilogram division. She won the Oceania Judo Championship once and finished runner up on six occasions. She won three national titles and medalled every year for twelve years. Upon retirement she became the Australian coach for four world championships, one Commonwealth Games and two Olympic Games.
John McCormack
John established reputation as an accomplished racing driver and car constructor. He won the Gold Star Driver’s Championship three times (1973, 1975 and 1977) and was runner up on two occasions (1971 and 1978). He won the New Zealand Grand Prix twice (1973 and 1974) and finished runner up at the Australian Grand Prix twice (1973 and 1974).
Kylie Risk
Kylie represented Australia on 12 occasions in cross country, mountain running and on the track. A dual Olympian, she competed at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. Kylie won a silver medal in the 10 000 metres at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. She finished in the top 30 on five occasions in cross country world championships.
Alisa Denne
Alisa achieved a total of 58 international caps for Australia over a career cut short by injury. She was a member of the AIS Women’s Softball squad from 2001 until 2004, she won a silver medal at the 2001 Canada Cup and was a member of the 2002 World Championship and 2004 Olympic Games teams.
Background
The Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame was established in 1986. It pays tribute to our sporting greats and promotes Tasmania’s sporting heritage.
It represents and recognises the highest level of sporting performance and sportsmanship by Tasmanian athletes.
The home of the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame is located at the Tasmanian Institute of Sport in Launceston. Photographs of every member of the hall of fame are on display and can be viewed by the general public.
View online the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame Honour Roll
To view photos and citations for all 102 members of the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame, click here.
