Snowy Valleys Australia Day Ambassador announced for 2021
Published on 18 December 2020
The countdown to Australia Day in the Snowy Valleys has begun with the announcement of our 2021 Australia Day Ambassador.
The Australia Day program sends high achieving Australians to over 300 community celebrations nationwide every Australia Day. Ambassadors who come from all walks of life provide inspiration and pride to Australia Day events and activities.
The 2021 Snowy Valleys Australia Day Ambassador is Mr Peter Wilkins, former TV presenter and sports commentator.
Peter is the definitive all-rounder in sports broadcasting terms with an unbridled passion which is reflected in many of his commentaries across the years. He predominantly worked for the national broadcaster for the 37 years from 1980 as a presenter, commentator and reporter in both television and radio. In 2012, "Wilko' received the prestigious Australia Sports Commission's 'Lifetime Achievement Award" for services to sporting journalism.
Peter hosted two World Cup soccer finals for ABC TV in the 80's, was ABC’s chief rugby league commentator in the 90's and represented ABC radio as a commentator at the Sydney Olympics. He describes the radio broadcast of the Socceroos qualification for the 2006 World Cup as a ‘career highlight’.
‘Wilko’ was part of the ABC’s flagship sports/entertainment program ‘The Fat”, and he was nominated for ‘best new talent’ at the Logies. He was also the national sports face of the 7pm news bulletin and made contributions to the ABC’S current affairs benchmarks, the 7.30 Report and Lateline.
Peter has commentated innumerable sports across his career including tennis, golf, soccer, rugby league, rugby union, hockey, boxing and cricket. He was a regular member of ABCTV’s Hopman Cup tennis coverage for eight years.
‘Wilko’ has been to four Paralympic games.” He commentated on cycling and wheelchair rugby for ABC TV’s popular coverage of the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing and in London 2012 and has represented the ABC on several Kangaroo league tours of England and France as well as the World Cup Soccer tournaments in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. He also commentated Australia’s historic Asian Cup women’s triumph for ABCTV in 2010. Peter was part of the ABC TV News team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In 2008 Peter published “Don’t Rock the Boat” - the inside story of the Australian women’s eight at the Athens Olympics and its emotional postscript. Peter subsequently won a Walkley award for journalistic excellence for ABC TV’s Australian Story based on the book. The program also collected an Australian Sports Commission award. Peter also received a high commendation at the same 2008 awards for his “Contribution to Australian Sport by an Individual”. In 1985 Peter won the Sydney Turf club award for best story on the Golden Slipper; the prize…two weeks in the United States visiting the Kentucky Derby.
Peter presented 'Grandstand' on ABCTV for five years
Peter is married to Susie and has two children, Billy and Jacqueline. He loves golf, the guitar and the South Coast/Berry hinterland where he resides. And he walked the Kokoda track (September 2017) which he describes as 'exhilarating and exhausting'.
Australia Day is an opportunity for communities to come together in the spirit of friendship and harmony, showcasing the unique and diverse culture that makes us Australians.
Nominations are now open for the Snowy Valleys Australia Day Awards. To nominate a member of your local community for a Snowy Valleys Australia Day award visit www.svc.nsw.gov.au/aust-day-awards.
Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 8 January 2021.
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