Evonne Goolagong Cawley AO MBE (b. 1951)
1971 Award

Wimbledon Tennis Champion

Goolagong was the daughter of a shearer from Barellan, New South Wales. Famous coach Vic Edwards was impressed with her natural grace and timing and took her into his family to coach her. She won every age championship she entered and, in 1970, the French Open. In 1971 she won her first Wimbledon title. She finished her career with 92 international titles, every Australian mainland State title and the Australian Singles title for 1974, 1975 and 1976. In 1980 she came back to win her second Wimbledon title. Loved for her bubbly personality and relaxed, non-aggressive style, her two major weaknesses were her occasional lapses in concentration and her lack of a killer instinct.

She played not for money or fame, but because she loved the sport. In 1970 she accepted an invitation to play in segregated South Africa as an 'honorary white', believing that sport and politics should not mix. When she accepted her award she said: 'It's something I've always wanted - to be known as an Australian. When I was younger I was always known as an Aboriginal tennis player'.