Sport is a storytelling machine. And for Australians that machine is prolific. The Australian popular imagination is crowded with stories drawn from sporting contests. Whether it is Ash Barty winning the Australian Open in 2022, Betty Cuthbert’s ‘Golden Girl’ moment at the 1956 Olympics or cricket’s infamous ‘Bodyline series’ of 1932–33, there are almost too many stories to tell.

A man in cricket whites and a hat holding a cricket stump and looking upwards.
Steve Holland, Australian cricketer Shane Warne holding a cricket ball and stump at the end of the Fourth Test of the Ashes Series, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 28 December 2006, nla.obj-137980452

The National Library is a place where these stories can be found and retold for future generations. The books, magazines, paintings, drawings and photographs held by the Library provide a storehouse of memories for all Australians to cherish.

Selected Themes

Exhibition highlights

A photo of Shane Warne, dressed in test cricket whites and a hat, looking up at the crowd while holding a cricket ball against a stump he is holding in his other hand.

Holland, Steve (2006).  Australian cricketer Shane Warne holding a cricket ball and stump at the end of the Fourth Test of the Ashes Series, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 28 December 2006. nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137980452

A black and white photo of Louise Sauvage leading another wheelchair racer on a track.

Serena Ovens, Portrait of Louise Sauvage, 1996 paralympian, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136368441 

A painting of cricketers on an oval playing cricket.

I. F. Weedon, English & Australian cricketers great match, England v. Australia played at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, 19th, 20th, 21st July, 1886., 1887, nla.obj-136081473

A black and white photo of Dawn Frazer looking up at a man from the pool, while she is talking to him.

David Moore, Portrait of Dawn Fraser, Melbourne, 1963, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140402089

A black and white signed photo of Don Bradman walking onto the oval with his pads and cricket bat.

Portrait of Don Bradman, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136645367

A yellow and pale blue map of the course of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Jack Earl and Millards, Chart of the course for the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race, 1950, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-591521673

A black and white photo of Betty Cuthbert running on the track.

John Larkins, Betty Cuthbert, the Golden Girl, 1956, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-141613554

A black and white photo of Warwick Capper jumping high onto the shoulder of another player while looking up in the air.

Bruce Howard and Herald and Weekly Times, Sydney's Warwick Capper taking a spectacular mark over Mick Martin of the Kangaroos in a game at the MCG on Anzac Day 1991, 1, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148148262 

A black and white photo of 11 women standing in all white dresses flanked by 2 men on either side of them, dressed in black.

William Henry Corkhill, Tilba Tilba ladies cricket team], 1905, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140255567

A photo of Falls Creek ski resort with several children being taught how to ski.

Robin Smith, Teaching children to ski at Falls Creek, Victoria 1995, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147758762  

The National Library would like to thank Getty Images, the National Museum of Australia, the Australian Sports Museum, the Geelong Football Club, the National Rugby League and the Tumut Blues Rugby League Old Boys Inc. for providing material for this exhibition. We would also like to thank Emma McKeon AM for lending a selection of her Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals.

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