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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 10 (January 1, 1940)

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About three years ago, when public interest in New Zealand's Centennial celebrations had not arrived at even a luke-warm state, I suggested that the celebrations would present an excellent opportunity to commemorate the deeds of New Zealand's famous athletes. My suggestion was that a Hall of Champions should be erected at the Exhibition, wherein photographs of famous champions, international trophies and other laurels of victory could be di played as an incentive to the younger generation to follow in the footsteps of the champions of yesteryear

This suggestion was repeated later, and a meeting was called in Wellington to discuss the possibilities. That is as far as it went! Nothing further was done, and the Centennial Exhibition opened without any steps being taken to pay tribute to New Zealand's famous athletes.

No one will deny that the Centennial Exhibition is a wonderful achievement and a fitting tribute to the progress made since our forefathers hewed their homes in the primeval forests, but no one could claim that the Exhibition is complete without some recognition being given our great sportsmen.

Even at this stage it is not too late to remedy the omission. Suggestions have been made to include a Hall of Champions in the Centennial Exhibition and I would appeal to all interested to communicate with me so that I may pass on the information to the proper quarters. If you have old photographs of former great champions at boxing, wrestling, swimming, cricket, football, athletics or any form of sport, communicate with me—do not forward the photographs until requested—and I will present the information where it could best be used.

For my share I have been engaged to give three radio talks on “Great New Zealand Champions,” and my only regret is that some move has not been made to produce some permanent record of the deeds of our worthy sportsmen.

The younger generation is always apt to be criticised for its nonchalant attitude to things material and spiritual, but in sport the hero worship that characterised our ancestors is just as alive today as when Grand-dad thought Dr. Grace was the end and the beginning of cricket. But as Time Marches On and one generation succeeds another it is essential that a permanent record be given of the old-time champions.

In “Panorama of the Playground,” I have chronicled the deeds of Joe Scott, New Zealand's amazing walking champion; Randolph Rose, our best miler until Jack Lovelock hit the sporting headlines; Malcolm Champion, our first Olympic champion; Jack Lovelock, and many other sterling New Zealanders, and there have been many letters of appreciation about these articles. One letter arrived only a few days ago; it is typical of many received. Here it is:

“Just a line to ask you if it is possible to get the ‘Railways Magazine’ with the write-up about Joe Scott, the Dunedin walker. I have loaned my copy to different people to read, but the last one sent it to a friend in England; so that's the end of that! I would like a copy if at all possible to secure one. The year, if I remember aright, was 1936, about the end of the year. Let me know the cost if able to land one.”

Joe Scott is one of the great sporting personalities I have discussed in my radio talks, but there are others such as Kenny Bain, who used to race the mail coaches; A. A. Cameron, the great South Island champion at Caledonian Games; the Woon brothers—a great sporting family—of whom little information is available.

They were heroes in the early days of New Zealand but we cannot blame the youth of to-day if their deeds are forgotten. Before it is too late, some effort should be made to chronicle their deeds and give the champions of 1940 a background of sporting history that will make them proud to be New Zealanders.

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