Award winner Hewitt a no-show
Award winner Hewitt a no-show
By Bruce McDougall (Australian)
August 18, 2003
YOUNG Australian of the Year Lleyton Hewitt has not attended a single official
function since winning the honour seven months ago.
The tennis champion has received at least five invitations to attend Australian
of the Year events. But the National Australia Day Council does not expect him
to perform any duties for months yet.
It hopes Hewitt, 22, will attend a Starlight Foundation tennis competition at
year's end.
The former world No. 1 spends most of the year competing internationally, but
his unavailability has raised questions about the suitability of candidates
who can't guarantee to attend community events.
Critics claim his non-appearance is not helping to promote the awards.
Last year tennis champion Pat Rafter made about 20 visits.
But the board of the National Australia Day Council has decided not to change
the selection criteria: excellence, community service and being an
inspirational role model.
Winners are expected to go to hospitals, charity events, conferences, meetings
with political leaders and community events.
Australia Day Council director Warren Pearson said Hewitt's unavailability
should not have ruled him out of selection. "Lleyton has been selected because
of his tennis prowess," he said.
"I'm not sure that Lleyton going to a couple of activities, or to lots of
activities, actually would inspire people as much as if he was winning."
Hewitt's manager in Australia, Rob Aivatoglou, said: "Lleyton has indicated
his willingness to do something - it's just a matter of it being able to fit
into his tennis schedule.
"We've indicated that come the end of the year hopefully . . . he'll be able
to do a few things."
The tennis star became a global ambassador for the Special Olympics in 2002
and supports organisations including the Bone Growth Foundation and the
Starlight Foundation.
Nominations for the 2004 awards close in two weeks.
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■ ● ＼颳風這天＊我試過握著妳手＼但偏偏＊雨漸漸＊大到我看妳不見＼ ■
□ ●＊● 還要多久＼我才能在妳身邊＊等待放晴的那天＼也許我會比較好一點＊□
■ ● ＼從前從前＊有個人愛妳很久＼但偏偏 風漸漸＊把距離吹得好遠＼ ■
□◥◣║◢◤ 好不容易＼又能再多愛一天＊但故事的最後妳好像說了＼ 拜拜＊ □
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