As a former champion boxer,  I found it inspiring to see Rowan Dean and Ross Cameron honour the memory of the Aboriginal boxer, Lionel Rose, yesterday on ‘The Outsiders’.

The great Aboriginal champion considered himself Australian first – not Aboriginal!

He believed in self-discipline and consistency training faithfully every day – not blaming others for his situation, but striving to provide for his family.

It was one of those ‘hated, prejudiced’ white policemen who first noticed his ability and encouraged him to develop his potential.

He thought that the Beatles were in town when he was given a hero’s welcome in Melbourne.

Lionel Rose inspired many to better themselves, including another man of Aboriginal descent who considers himself an Australian first, Warren Mundine.

(Perhaps these are the reasons why he is not heralded by The Left as a hero.)

Gibber! Gibber!

Chugley, The Boxing Chimpanzee (Left – Right – Left – Knock – Out!)

P.S. In my studies I have found that not so long ago some “educated” colonists considered the Australian Aborigines the “missing links” between Chimpanzees and Humans. These supposedly enlightened men were influenced by Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. (Interestingly, it was a Scottish missionary, John Paton, who established that the Australian Aborigines were Human Beings because they worshipped a divinity.)