In 2012, the Australia Post Australian Legends award celebrates eight doyens of football, champions past and present who are heroes of hallowed turf. Together, our living legends represent the four codes of football, with one all-time great and one current star from each of these widely embraced games. Ron Barassi AM and Gary Ablett are celebrated as the Legends of Australian rules football; John Raper MBE and Billy Slater head the field in rugby league; David Campese AM and David Pocock are named the giants of rugby union; and Joe Marston MBE and Mark Schwarzer OAM are recognised for their stellar careers in soccer.
Sport has a long and multifaceted history in post-settlement Australia, and its social and cultural impact cannot be overstated. Whether or not one is a participant, sport shapes the lives, routines and the weekends of many Australians, binding people across cultures and generations through the shared experience of participation and spectatorship. Undoubtedly, it also contributes greatly to the development and expression of our national consciousness. But no sport achieves these things quite like football: Australian rules, rugby league, rugby union and soccer. While regional and cultural elements define each code's territory and popularity, throughout the playing season all four games command the attention of players and coaches, the passion of thousands of followers, and hours and pages of media coverage.
Each year since 1997, the Australian Legends Award has recognised outstanding individuals for their part in shaping the social and cultural life of Australia. This year's Legends have made a remarkable contribution to a vital thread of our sporting culture, and have played leading roles in determining Australia's sense of itself as a great sporting nation.
