Smokey told us how his love affair with the Olympics started as a boy in 1956, when his mother took him to the Melbourne Olympics, first to watch swimmers training at the Olympic Pool in Swan Street. He was able to collect several autographs, including those of Dawn Fraser and Murray Rose. He also went to the MCG to see track and field events, and recalls watching John Landy run. 

 Recent political manoeuvring has influenced the time of year that the Olympics are held: broadcaster NBC wanted the games held in August so they did not clash with the NFL. Who knows how they influenced the IOC?  Current swimming heats in Japan are held in the evening, but finals in the morning: this is to coincide with prime TV viewing on the USA east coast. 

Other influencers included IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch from Barcelona (funny how the games were held there) and the Coca-Cola Company (head office in Atlanta) whose influence may have affected how the Centenary Olympic games were held in Atlanta and not in Greece. 

Smokey was full of praise for the Sydney Olympic Games, in how they were organised and conducted. 

However the introduction of multiple digital TV channels has made huge changes to commentators. Instead of attending the venues, they watch the chosen events on TV and provide the relevant comments, with only a few “on the spot” newsmen interviewing the participants. 

He shared his memories of reporting on the weightlifting in 1996 at Atlanta, with a keen competition between Greek and Turkish competitors. The commentary had to be interrupted for the eight-o-clock news, but he recorded the event which later passed as “live” immediately after the news. 

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics he recalled Jane Saville being disqualified in the ladies 20Km walk, and how she had to be withdrawn before entering the stadium for fear of trouble if she were disqualified in front of the full stadium.

Smokey enjoyed being in the venues and watching other sports such was handball, even if not commentating, and the was thrilled to watch Kieran Perkins and Suzy O’Neil in action. 

He noted the massive increase in the number of events, athletes and media personnel involved in the Olympic Games, and the change of date from October back to July/August.

Smokey then went on to show us some memorabilia: press passes and medallions before fielding questions. 

These elicited how he got his nick-name: he had met Country and Western singer Smokey Dawson (right) in 1986 on a flight to Perth, but the name was not attached to himself until he was in the Army, and it gradually stuck to him. (even though he never smoked)

Number of Footy games commented upon? 1834 is the exact number!

Asked who his favourite Olympians are, he immediately picked Cathy Freeman, as she bore such huge expectations, then after some thought, Herb Elliott, who retired undefeated aged 22 or 23, and Dawn Fraser who won the same event over three Olympics. After a little prompting he added Andrew Hoy, for his endurance over the years.

Peter England thanked Smokey for his insights and remeniscences, and in return Smokey said he looked forward to joining us for lunch someday soon at Kooyong. 

Graham ‘Smokey’ Dawson (AM) is a member of the Order of Australia. He is a Victorian who went to school in East Kew and then went to Carey Grammar.

He was that school’s cricket captain in 1964 under coach Frank Tyson. He became a famous and favourite radio sports commentator calling Cricket and VFL/AFL, but also worked at the Olympic and Commonwealth games.

His career started in 1970 with the ABC, his first broadcasts were with the ABC’s ‘3LO’ – the first Sheffield Shield game was in 1971, his first test in 1973 and his first VFL game in 1974. He has now broadcast over 300 test matches, and more than 700 one dayers, and broadcast all over the world. He has worked with other legendary commentators including Alan McGillivray and broadcast some of the great games including the ’77 Centenary Test.

He has called over 1800 VFL/AFL games and over 40 Grand Finals. He has seen and been involved with many of Australia’s iconic sports personalities. He is a passionate Hawthorn supporter, and a 60 plus year member