spectators

Adrian's Story 1925 – 2014 A farmer from Theodore, Queensland, Adrian Holmes was a late inclusion in the boxing team to London in 1948. His supporters had raised the £550 needed for his inclusion. At London in the light-heavyweight division, he achieved much more than all of his more highly ranked fellow boxers, finishing fourth. At any Olympic Games after London, as a losing semi-finalist, he would have been a bronze medallist. He was leading in the bronze medal match when seconds before the end of the contest, which he was leading on points, he fell and injured his ankle and seemingly couldn't continue, necessitating the referee to end stop the fight. Source: www.olympics.com.au/olympians/adrian-holmes/#:~:text=A%20...

The Woolloongabba Cricket Ground, aka THE GABBA, was established in 1895, with a capacity of 37,000, lush grassy banks, and beautiful Moreton Bay fig trees for shade. The first match was played on 19 December 1896 between Parliament and The Press, resulting in a tie with 61 runs each. The first Test Match was on 27 November 1931 against South Africa. There have been many memorable moments at the Gabba over the years. One of the most significant was the famous 1960 Tied Test between Australia and the West Indies played 9-14 December in which Richie Benaud was a stand-out. The grass and fig trees of the original Gabba ground have sadly been replaced by modern concrete stands and facilities – capacity has also been increased to 42,000. It is now officially known as the Brisbane Cricket Ground, but nostalgic cricket fans continue to call it The Gabba. Source: kangaroopointhistory.com.au/places/the-gabba-woolloongabb...

Obsessed with flying since he was a little boy, Hinkler's record flight was completed in just over 15 days, smashing the previous England-Australia record of 28 days. His arrival in Darwin on 22 February caused a media sensation, with the Queenslander achieving celebrity status. The Brisbane Courier newspaper voiced the opinions of its readers when it proclaimed, "Well done, Mr Hinkler! Australia is proud of you". On 27 February, Hinkler made a triumphant return to his hometown of Bundaberg to an enthusiastic welcome by a large crowd. The Brisbane Courier reported in detail the excitement as Hinkler's plane came in view - "When seen first the machine was coming through a V-shaped break in the clouds, flying high and the crowd went mad with enthusiasm... The speck grew larger, and then the plane came through the clouds, making a great picture with the sun in the background. Then Hinkler stunted, soaring then spiral diving, while the thrilled crowd cheered themselves hoarse. He half circled the arena, then the wings dipped, and he coasted downward, with great glide, the wheels touching the earth well inside the area... The crowd immediately got out of hand and surged forward in mad enthusiasm. With difficulty, a space was made through the crowd for Mrs.. Hinkler and the members of the family to greet the aviator on the side of the machine. Bert leaned out of the cockpit and there was an affecting scene of reunion. Then the crowd took possession of the intrepid aviator, and carried him shoulder high to the high-decked lorry". (Brisbane Courier, 28 February 1928, p.13) Source: slq.qld.gov.au/blog/bert-hinklers-record-flight-1928-mont....