Lionel Edmund Rose

Born on June 21, 1948, Lionel Edmund Rose was an Australian bantamweight boxer, a singer and the first native Australian to win a World title. He was also the first indigenous Australian to be named as “Australian of the year.” Lionel died on 8th May 2011 in Drouin, Victoria.

Some of his notable achievements:-

• Winner of the Australian amateur flyweight title at the age of 15.
• Made history by defeating Harada in a 15-round decision and becoming the first native Australian to be a World Champion.
• Sang two of Australia’s top five hit music numbers “I Thank you” and “Please Remember Me” in 1970, where “I Thank You” was played as a substitute to the Australian National Anthem at various sporting events by the Comedic sports commentators Roy Slaven and H.G. Nelson.