Australia’s hopes and histories are played out in sporting arenas. The National Museum of
Australia’s collection tells the stories of great sporting moments and what they reveal about our nation.

Don Bradman’s cricket bat Don Bradman’s cricket bat (1934)National Museum of Australia

Cricket

Introduced by English settlers, cricket quickly became an important test of Australian strength and character. The rivalry between the two nations reached a peak in the 1933–34 Bodyline series, when Australians accused the English of unsporting behaviour.

Greg Chappell’s Baggy Green cricket cap, 1982/1983, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Rod Marsh’s cricket cap, 1982, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Rod Marsh’s wicketkeeping gloves, 1980, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Clements/Larwood scoreboard banner, 1933/1934, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Nance Clements, 1937, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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English women’s cricket team (1934)National Museum of Australia

Australian women’s cricket team, 1937, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Victorian Women’s Cricket Association program Victorian Women’s Cricket Association program, 1937, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Cadel Evans’s Tour de France bike Cadel Evans’s Tour de France bike (2008)National Museum of Australia

Cycling

Australians were the first native English speakers to ride in the Tour de France. In the late 1920s and 30s, Sir Hubert Opperman was feted by the French for his feats of endurance. In 2011, Cadel Evans became the first Australian to win the Tour. 

Cadel Evans’s mountain bike Cadel Evans’s mountain bike (1998/1999)National Museum of Australia

Hubert Opperman’s beret, 1928, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Sir Hubert Opperman, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Malvern Star advertising poster, 1934, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Harry Clarke’s penny-farthing bicycle Harry Clarke’s penny-farthing bicycle (1884)National Museum of Australia

Jack Brabham’s racing car Jack Brabham’s racing car (1967)National Museum of Australia

Motor racing

The introduction of the motor car was closely followed by sporting events designed to test the new machines. The first Australian Grand Prix was held at Phillip Island, Victoria in 1928 and women were welcome to compete. By the 1950s, men dominated the scene.

Jack Brabham in the BT23A-1 (1967)National Museum of Australia

Joan Richmond, 1930s, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Joan Richmond’s 1000 Miles Race trophy, 1932, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Joan Richmond’s driving goggles (1930s)National Museum of Australia

Joan Richmond’s Monte Carlo Rally number plate Joan Richmond’s Monte Carlo Rally number plate (1932)National Museum of Australia

Joan Richmond’s Monte Carlo Rally number plate (1936)National Museum of Australia

Joan Richmond with race car and trophies, 1930s, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Melbourne Cup won by The Barb Melbourne Cup won by The Barb (1866)National Museum of Australia

Horseracing

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most prestigious horseracing event and is known as the race that stops a nation. Legendary horse Phar Lap won the 1930 Melbourne Cup, and 36 other races, before his death in mysterious circumstances.

Phar Lap’s heart Phar Lap’s heart, 1932, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Phar Lap portrait, 1931, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Melbourne Cup won by Tim Whiffler Melbourne Cup won by Tim Whiffler, 1867, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Melbourne Cup won by Peter Pan Melbourne Cup won by Peter Pan, 1934, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Agua Caliente race program, 1932, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Michelle Payne’s riding breeches (2015)National Museum of Australia

Evonne Goolagong’s Federation Cup trophy Evonne Goolagong’s Federation Cup trophy (1971)National Museum of Australia

Tennis 

Evonne Goolagong Cawley is one of Australia's most successful female tennis players. She won seven Grand Slam tournaments and was the first Aboriginal Australian to achieve success in tennis at an international level. 

Evonne Goolagong Cawley, 2005, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s Wimbledon trophy (1980)National Museum of Australia

Melbourne Olympics participation medal Melbourne Olympics participation medal (1956)National Museum of Australia

Olympic Games

Australians have competed at every Olympic Games in the modern era, and hosted the games in Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000. Every four years our athletes carry an image of our nation onto the international stage. 

Peter Norman’s Olympic athletic singlet Peter Norman’s Olympic athletic singlet (1968)National Museum of Australia

John Konrads’ Olympic swimming team shirt, 1960, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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John Konrads’ Olympic gold medal John Konrads’ Olympic gold medal, 1960, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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John Konrads (2011)National Museum of Australia

Melbourne Olympics official competitor’s badge, 1956, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Shirley Strickland’s Olympic athletic singlet Shirley Strickland’s Olympic athletic singlet (1956)National Museum of Australia

Melbourne Olympic Games poster, 1956, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Melbourne Olympics souvenir scarf, 1956, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Dally Messenger’s Rugby League cap Dally Messenger’s Rugby League cap (1907)National Museum of Australia

Rugby League 

The New South Wales Rugby Football League was formed in 1907 after a split from Rugby Union following a dispute about whether players should be paid. Rugby League is one of the most popular spectator sports in New South Wales and Queensland.

Paddy McCue’s Wallabies rugby jersey Paddy McCue’s Wallabies rugby jersey, 1908, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Challenge Shield presented to Dally Messenger, 1913, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Kangaroos Australian Rugby League team postcard (1908/1909)National Museum of Australia

Dally Messenger postcard (1910)National Museum of Australia

Johnny Warren’s Australian tracksuit top Johnny Warren’s Australian tracksuit top (1974)National Museum of Australia

Football

The history of association football, or soccer, in Australia is closely linked to immigration. Clubs were established as early as the 1880s and participation surged with each new wave of migrants. Australia first qualified for the World Cup in 1974. 

Johnny Warren’s FIFA medal (2004)National Museum of Australia

Johnny Warren's best and fairest trophy, 1966, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Johnny Warren’s St George–Budapest trophy, 1973, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Johnny Warren’s Soccer Coaching Clinic wheel Johnny Warren’s Soccer Coaching Clinic wheel, 1978, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Liz Ellis’s Australian netball team skirt (1993)National Museum of Australia

Netball

Participation rates in netball continue to be among the highest of all sports played in Australia. Once called women’s basketball, it was renamed netball in 1975. Australia was a dominant international force under captain Liz Ellis.

Royce Hart’s VFL premiership trophy (1974)National Museum of Australia

Australian Rules football

Australian Rules football evolved in Melbourne in the mid-19th century, born of English football but shaped by colonial conditions and ambitions. The Victorian Football League (VFL) was established in 1896 and became the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990, reflecting the competition's natural expansion. 

Richmond Football Club letter to Royce Hart, 1965, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Royce Hart’s VFL premiership trophy, 1969, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Royce Hart’s Richmond Football Club jumper Royce Hart’s Richmond Football Club jumper, 1967, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Royce Hart’s Jack Dyer medal Royce Hart’s Jack Dyer medal (1972)National Museum of Australia

Royce Hart’s Richmond premiership trophy, 1969, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Royce Hart’s Premiership Players Club trophy, From the collection of: National Museum of Australia
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Royce Hart’s Richmond Football Club jumper Royce Hart’s Richmond Football Club jumper (1973)National Museum of Australia

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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Australia: Great Sporting Land
Explore the unifying spirit of Australian sport - from tales to traditions, larrikins to legends
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