Glenguin Estate 'Aristea' 2007 Hunter Valley Shiraz - this is one of the hidden bottles that was on the wine rack. Trish and I were having some blue cheese, I decided to do the blog and as custom, a red needed to be opened.
This is a very peppery Shiraz and one that is true to the Hunter's reputation of fine Shiraz. It goes fine with the blue cheese but I as I take each sip, I am thinking that a nice, juicy cattleman's cutlet would go down fine with this one. Either way, the decanter will be empty tonight.
http://glenguinestate.com.au/
I am trying to ensure that this blog isn't too sports oriented but hey, following sport is a big part of my life. That and I like to think that I have a fair grasp of many sports that are followed in this country and the heroes that are put up in different codes. Don Bradman, Clive Churchill, Rod Laver, Ted Whitten etc.
One name that I was not aware of was Peter Norman.
I had seen Peter Norman before...just didn't know who he was. That is until I watched a movie called 'Salute'.
See, Peter Norman is the guy in the Australian tracksuit who is there with the two American athletes - John Carlos and Tommie Smith- during the famous 'Black Power' salute at the 1968 Olympics Games in Mexico City.
'Salute' is a documentary that was made about Peter Norman's life and it is important to point out that it was made by his nephew so naturally, his uncle would be painted in a very good light. That said, the good light is warranted.
The movie shows the quiet but important role that Peter Norman played in what has been deemed one of the most powerful images of the 20th Century. Peter Norman suggested to Carlos and Smith have a glove eachafter they realised that they only had one pair of gloves. He also decided that he would wear one of the badges that supported the human rights movement that was happening at the time.
Why? He was sympathetic to the human rights cause and believed that was happening to the African-Americans in the United States at the time was wrong. Simple as that.
The result of such a belief? He was officially reprimanded by Australian Olympic officials at the time and was not selected in the team to represent Australia in the 1972 Munich Olympics. This, despite the fact that he made the qualifying time for the 200m sprint thirteen times.
Fact is, Peter Norman's time in the final of the 1968 Olympics is still an Australian record and would have medalled at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. And despite all of this, the first time I have heard about him was via this movie. He has since been names as one of the top hundred Australian Olympians but his story still remains unknown.
I have to admit, I felt some sense of shame after watching 'Salute'. Being a sports lover and one who thinks that he has a handle on most of the important sports and sportpeople in this country, the fact that I didn't know the role that Peter Norman played in this critical moment in history, the fact that I did not know the record that he has in Australian Athletics and the fact that he is held in a higher regard in the United States than he does in Australia...made me feel ashamed and embarassed.
Embarassed that he is not held in as high esteem as Don Bradman.
Embarassed that his story is not common place in the Australian story.
Embarassed that his death was not acknowledged with the same reverence as Bradman, Ted Whitten, Clive Churchill and others.
Peter Norman's is a story that every single Australian should be made aware of. It is a story that should be celebrated and it is a story that epitomises everything that is good about this country. If you haven't seen 'Salute', I implore you to see it. Once you do, I am sure that you will agree - it is necessary viewing...for all of us.
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