How Noosa’s fame spread

THE Noosa brand is without doubt the best in the country – and a big thanks must be directed at two events, Jack Newton Golf Tournament and Noosa Triathlon.
Formerly the Tewantin /Noosa Pro-Am, the golf event with Jack himself as the drawcard was reinvented by John Piercy to support the former Aussie champion after his terrible accident.
Name change first, then Jack started bringing up TV, radio, political and sporting celebrities to turn the humble two-day event into a celebration, all raising money for junior golf.
In the early 1980s, the first tee was packed, with locals all wanting a glimpse of whoever came up that year.
David Fordham and myself introduced the very nervous players to what was usually a packed gallery.
It didn’t matter who it was teeing off, they copped the normal bagging that Fordo and I could put them off their game – Bob Hawke, Richie Benaud, Gary Sobers, Jeff Thomson, “Waynee Poo”’ Roberts, Billy J. Smith, Ray Martin, Liz Hayes, Stefan, Mick Veivers, Wally Lewis, Jon Seiben, Herb Elliott, Dawn Fraser, Wilbur Wilde and John Blackman swinging their clubs hoping for a reasonable score.
They were pitted against Wayne Grady, Peter Senior, Rodger Davis, Ian Stanley, Payne Stewart, and of course the ladies favourite Ian Baker-Finch.
My two most memorable nights was listening to Sir James Killen deliver an after dinner speech in the old Pine Tree’s 1981 and, of course, anytime the late great Ricky May had a mike in his hand.
Probably the most inspirational aspect of this event was the way the locals accepted the chaos that usually transpired.
On Channel 9 that next week, watching the Today Show or cricket coverage, you could be assured Noosa was always mentioned.
The first triathlon in 1983 was the brainchild of marathon champion Dave Power, who dreamed up the event after commentating on the Brisbane Games where Robert de Castella was victorious.
Just under 200 lined up for what was simply a hit and miss of something new.
I stood on the back of a truck that day, trying to understand what a triathlon was and pondering what do I say to the 40-strong waiting crowd.
The swim took 25 minutes, the bike leg to Cooroy and back over an hour, and the run to Tewantin and back close to an hour.
The first across the line were Gold Coaster Michael Harris and future Seoul Olympian Liz Hepple.
Along came events guru Garth Prowd and it wasn’t long before big name Olympians, league/AFL and media personalities came to play.
Wide World of Sports was the big winner, broadcasting the event nationally and soon across the globe.
But I suppose all this would not have happened unless local volunteers put their hands up. Joe Gilbert, Lex and Joy Prowd, John Little, Lex Toth were always there.
I also have a special praise for Tony and Linda Jedynak, new to Noosa in 1992 but it wasn’t long before they got involved. The tri was just starters for these two – Linda is up to her ears in the Jazz Festival and Tony is kicking goals with the Noosa Tigers.
That’s how Noosa got its profile.
Until next time.