OVERWHELMED AND LOST FOR WORDS

By Dennis Newlyn

My induction into the Speedway Australia Hall of Fame has left me overwhelmed!!!

The honour bestowed upon me by Speedway Australia is so much appreciated. I also sincerely thank the people who nominated and voted for me.

It also has left me lost for words! Thanks again to Speedway Australia and the people out there in speedway land.

It’s the people who are a vital part of this wonderful honour.

Since my induction at the lavish and very professionally presented Speedway Australia awards night gala dinner, held at Melbourne Showground’s Victoria Pavilion Function Centre on June 3, I have not been able to catch my breath!

It has been something very special . . . a very special time in my speedway years . . . a very special time my life! One of the all time great moment in my 74 years.

The accolades, acknowledgements and well wishers in recognition for my 57 years as a speedway writer have left me feeling so humble.

I am very privileged what I do – and I just do what I do because I love the sport.

I cannot describe what has happened before and after the induction on June 3. I have never experienced anything like it. It’s also a whirlwind of emotion!

Speedway Australia Chief Executive Officer Darren Tindal, along with Sport Development Officer (Qld) National Communications and Media Manager Ben Bishop, were the architects of a new, superb strategy to further raise the profile of the Hall of Fame. In 2023 the inductees were announced in advance of the gala dinner award ceremony. It worked a treat – I know that for a fact! The anticipation of the night took this very prestigious ceremony to an exciting – and emotional new level! All of the inductees were hit by emotion and shock when told of their upcoming induction. It was an outpouring of beautiful, heartfelt emotion in scenes never previously witnessed in Hall of Fame history.

I also congratulate the other 2023 inductees: Bill Meyer (posthumously – and accepted by son Wayne), Wally Kermond, Ron Krikke and Howard Revell.

On a further personal note, what also created more emotion was the compliment paid to me by the News Corp Daily and Sunday Telegraph newspapers.

I have been their speedway writer for many years and not long after the induction, their sports department asked if I had a photo of my HoF induction.

I did and sent it to them at their request. The end result was the photo which accompanied my speedway article in the sports pages of the June 17, 2023 edition of the Saturday Telegraph.

The Speedway Australia Hall of Fame honour is special for another reason: I dedicate the wonderful award to my late parents, Sylvia and Rex. They met through speedway and they gave me the passion!

THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE.