Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith's greatest legacy will always be making the suggestion in print that Brisbane bid for the Olympic Games and being the trigger, phoning mayors and government officials, to back it up. He was a news-breaking sports journalist, equally at home covering Rugby Union Tests or an Olympic Swimming Final. Few matched his relentless pursuit when he sensed a big story or his sustained excellence over five decades. Smith covered world records and gold medals at the pool, but it was Queensland rugby that stirred his passion. From the early 1970s, countless Queensland games were measured by the rat-a-tat-tat of his fingers at the keyboard in the media box. He became a fixture at Suncorp Stadium covering the Wallabies and Super Rugby. He chronicled the highest moments, analysed every issue and called out failings. “Smithy” was fearless and feisty in his writing for The Telegraph, The Courier Mail and The Australian.


Inducted on July 15 2024 by the Hon. Michael Healy Minister for Sport.