Maria Vamvakinou (Calwell, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I was deeply saddened to hear the news last week of the passing of 'Mr Football' himself, Les Murray. Today I want to make a contribution as not only the co-chair of the parliamentary friends of SBS but also the co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism, but mostly I want to make a contribution as an avid fan of his work and legacy. It would not be an overstatement to call him an Australian icon. 'Mr Football' always insisted on calling soccer 'the beautiful game'.

I recall his presence at the annual Harmony Day friendly exhibition soccer games, which were played here between SBS and the politicians. They were, of course, anything but friendly sometimes, especially when the SBS squad underestimated the ferocity of the politicians' side. These games were played on a Thursday morning on that peculiar oval-shaped pitch on the Senate side. Les Murray was ever present, as always at any occasion that promoted football or soccer. He bestowed always the virtues of the game by bringing together people from all walks of life.

I recall a particular Harmony Day game in 2013 when the then Minister for Sport, and captain of the pollies' team, Senator Kate Lundy, who was about to go into a 50-50 challenge with Les Murray, was alerted to some hazard by my husband, Michalis, actually, who was playing as a marquee defender for the pollies' side. She was alerted and as ‎Michalis yelled out, 'Watch out for the Australian icon,' everyone responded, 'Which icon?' as they looked around. The truth was they all knew who the icon was. That was the presence of Les Murray on the soccer field.

Les was a tireless promoter and advocate of football. We have said that on many occasions. He was the voice of the world game in his adopted home, Australia. He will always be remembered as a true Australian sporting icon. He captured the hearts of lovers of the world game here in Australia with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport and his passion for every heroic victory and every devastating defeat. But it was his work in integrating migrants into Australia through football and making the world game Australia's football that I want to remember today. Les arrived in Australia as a young refugee from Hungary and a war-torn Europe. Because of this, he spent his life advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees. Outspoken and brave, Les fought for the protection of and justice for refugees.

The role Les Murray played in developing football in Australia and making it part of our mainstream sports should never be underestimated. It was Les Murray, alongside Johnny Warren and other sports commentators, such as Andy Paschalidis, George Donikian and, more recently, Craig Foster that gave football its voice in Australia. I remember spending many Sundays sitting with my family, and Les would beam into our living room through his SBS TV footy show, The World Game, as it was known. I distinctly remember that I felt very proud that here was a person who spoke impeccable English with a 'woggish' accent. It resonated with me because he spoke just like my family and my neighbours. Of course, there was nothing to be ashamed of or to hide from. Having an accent should not impede you from being heard and partaking in public speaking in mainstream Australian TV. When he occasionally had the opportunity to show his prowess in other languages, I marvelled at the way that he crisscrossed and fused other languages with his English. He did it so beautifully. I think it was a real reflection of the multilingual nature of this society of Australia. I remember thinking how fabulous English sounded with an accent. Les Murray made it cool to be ethnic. With football, he gave all migrant families a tool to feel proud, a vehicle to integrate with a sport that they could all excel in. I have seen that happen even today with the juniors and young kids in my electorate—that sense of pride that they are very, very good at playing this wonderful, beautiful game.

Together with others, Les made this 'wog game' mainstream. But even when soccer became acceptable, respectful and chic, Les always paid homage to its humble origins from the ethnic migrant communities and clubs—the South Melbourne Hellas soccer club, the Melbourne Knights in my electorate, Adelaide Juventus, Hakoah, Marconi, APIA, Sydney Olympic and so many others.

Les Murray's legacy continues today through his children, our children and everybody's children who have turned the world game into Australia's football. My condolences go out to his family, including his wife and two daughters, his friends, his colleagues at SBS and beyond, and the football fans and sporting community who are indeed mourning the loss of this monumental Australian sporting icon.

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