Our Sporting Greats

Our Sporting Greats is an inspiring showcase celebrating some of Queensland’s unsung Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sporting heroes now open at State Library of Queensland. 

Admired for their talents and determination to succeed, these sporting greats are also considered champions for their enduring efforts as community advocates.

The free exhibition shines a spotlight on the lives, dreams and amazing achievements of:

Uncle Charlie King, President of the Brisbane Natives Rugby League team and a driving force behind the Boathouse Dance social scene of the 1950s and 60s, as remembered by his daughter Aunty Sandra King.

Rhonda Purcell, Quandamooka woman and international bodybuilding gold medallist, Rhonda is also a proud Deadly Choices ambassador.

Danny Morseu, two-time Olympian and Uncle of Indigenous basketball; representing Indigenous basketball, past, present and future.

Aunty Lesley Williams, member of the recently reunited ‘Imparas’ Cherbourg Marching Girls team, a nationally-renowned marching troupe that travelled the country during an era of restricted movements for Aboriginal people.

Willie Prince, Cherbourg man and Queensland track and field champion, Willie is also a 2000 Sydney Paralympics torchbearer and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Baton carrier.

The showcase shares personal reflections and treasured memorabilia from the featured athletes, while images from the State Library collection reflect on the impact of other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sporting pioneers and trailblazers.

State Library of Queensland is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com