Renowned dual Olympian Nova Peris OAM is set to receive the most prestigious honour in Australian sport, having been named a 2023 Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductee.
Peris' induction celebrates her trailblazing multi-sport career and achievements at the international level in both athletics and hockey.
At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she became the first Indigenous Australian to win an Olympic gold medal as a Hockeyroo.
She then stamped her name in the record books for years later, becoming the only person to make back-to-back Summer Olympic Games finals in two different sports after competing in the women's 400m and 4x 400m relay at the Sydney 2000 games.
In between her Olympic Games appearances, Peris also represented Australia at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, securing gold medals in the 200m and 4x100m.
She said being inducted was an overwhelming experience after being informed by Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chairman, John Bertrand AO.
"He just said to me, 'look Nova I'm just ringing to congratulate you. All our selectors are absolutely thrilled to have you as our new athlete member,'" Peris told National Indigenous Times.
"And then I just cried. I just cried and cried and I said to him, 'I have to go this is a hopeless conversation'.
"And then I went and saw my husband and just cried and saw my auntie."
Peris' contribution to Australian society continued after her successful sporting career, with the proud Gija/Yawuru woman serving the Australian federal parliament as a Senator for the Northern Territory in 2013 whilst also making substantial contributions in the reconciliation and charity space.
One of seven 2023 inductees, Peris is set to be inducted alongside rowing icon Kim Brennan AM, Socceroo Tim Cahill AO, Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley AO, aerial skiing Olympic champion Lydia Lassila OAM, former North Queensland Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston and renowned rowing coach Tim McLaren OAM.
Following their induction, Peris and Thurston will become just the eighth and ninth Indigenous inductees respectively out of 601 total ASHOF induces, 442 of which are athlete members and 159 general members.
They join Indigenous stars of yesteryear including Evonne Goolagong-Cawley AC MBE, Cathy Freeman OAM, Arthur Beetson OAM, David Sands, Graham 'Polly' Farmer and Lionel Rose MBE.
Sport Australia Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chair, Bruce McAvaney OAM, said the outstanding accomplishments of the seven inductees have left an indelible mark on the world of sports in Australia and beyond.
"In a year where the drama of sport has held us captive as a nation, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame welcomes six elite athletes and a coach who've left an indelible mark in their field," McAvaney said.
"Every one of this year's inductees has been instrumental in providing this country with unforgettable moments – whether it be at summer or winter Olympics, rugby league State of Origin or football's World Cup. It doesn't get any bigger or better than that.
"Diverse in their sporting prowess, each has excelled over a lifetime, paving the way for those who follow and stamping their own mark on history."
Peris and Thurston will be inducted at a Sport Australia Hall of Fame event at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney on October 16.
