From the Ruck

With special guest:

• Gordon Bray AM
  … in conversation with Bill Kable

Our guest today is part of a select group of legends. Peter FitzSimons has described Gordon Bray as ‘more than a sporting icon’, Gordon is no less than ‘the soundtrack of our sporting lives’.

The Voice of Rugby joins us today after a career of over 50 years describing major sporting events on a variety of radio and TV stations. And yet despite being front and centre for all that time we do not know so much about Gordon himself.

Gordon tells us of his difficult upbringing after his father died when he was only 9 years old. As one of four children Gordon did his best to ease the burden for his mother who was left to provide for them with the significant assistance of Legacy. The story then is that Gordon made the most of every opportunity that came his way and he has some amazing stories to tell us now as he looks back on that fabled career.

This is a unique opportunity to find the personal side of not just Gordon but also some of the legends of sports broadcasting who worked alongside him. Think Norman May, Alan McGilvray, Martin Royal and others. Gordon had to jump straight in. When a bit of luck went his way or a kindness was extended to him he used that as a springboard. Given that in his time Gordon has commentated on everything from wood chopping to sailing to lawn bowls as well as Rugby we asked him which sport was the most difficult to describe and the answer might surprise you.

We hear Gordon talk candidly about the difficulty he faced when a team of Rugby 7 footballers from Taiwan all looked exactly the same and they had no numbers on their back to identify them. We are still waiting to hear what the Taiwanese thought of his commentary.

We had the opportunity to ask Gordon what Australian Rugby needs now to get back to the dizzy heights the sport enjoyed after winning the 1991 World Cup. Gordon is optimistic with the new TV coverage and promotion on Stan and Channel 9. He also alerts us to a Podcast Gold Digger: The search for Australian rugby which examines all the factors and points towards an optimistic way forward.

Gordon has generously provided a signed copy of his best-selling book From the Ruck which can be won by the first person to correctly identify the first Commonwealth Games that Gordon attended as a commentator.

This show is a special treat for everyone. Gordon is an entertaining speaker in any context and he is also able to provide some important life lessons for everyone who has suffered some form of adversity. No wonder he was made am Ambassador for Legacy and awarded an AM for his community service.

Gordon Bray

Brought up in Sydney where he attended Homebush High, Gordon Bray was a talented schoolboy rugby union footballer representing NSW Combined High Schools and subsequently Eastern Suburbs. Gordon’s broadcasting career began in 1969 with ABC Sport in Sydney. He spent 25 years commentating for the ABC in Sydney and Hobart, then 16 months at Network Ten followed by 16 years at the Seven Network. He has also worked for Fox Sports. Gordon has commentated at nine Olympic Games, five Commonwealth Games, and over 400 rugby internationals, including all nine Rugby World Cups.

Gordon Bray has written six books on rugby, including best sellers The Australian Rugby Companion and From the Ruck.

He is an active public speaker and master of ceremonies and also provides media training and mentoring.

Song selection by our guest: Immortality by Celine Dion

Note: This program is an encore presentation of the one aired on 11 March 2021.

Podcast (mp3)