Greg Norman Honored At G'Day USA Ball

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Queensland's international sporting legend, Greg Norman, received an Award for Excellence in Sport at the G'Day USA Australia Week dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 16th.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh attended the gala event and presented Greg Norman with a Queensland-made Bodo Muche bronze statue of a marlin as a congratulatory gift from the State.

Norman was honored on January 16th at the G'Day USA Australia Week ball in Hollywood.

Ms. Bligh said the award was intended to honour the sporting legend for his contribution to strong Australia-USA relations, exporting and international sport.

Greg Norman joined Toni Collette and Simon Baker, who were also honored at the G'Day USA black tie dinner.

"Greg Norman is arguably one of the world's greatest golfers - he's a legend and as a sportsman he is up there with fellow Queenslander and tennis legend Rod Laver."

Rod Laver was last year's G'Day USA Award winner. He joined the Premier on the red carpet, along with fellow tennis legend Roy Emerson, when the Premier presented the statue to Greg Norman.

"Both Greg and Rod were voted by Queenslanders to be in the top 150 'Queensland icons' as part of the State's 150th anniversary celebrations in 2009," said Ms. Bligh.

"Greg, originally from Mount Isa in North Western Queensland, has had a stellar golf career including 20 PGA TOUR wins. I particularly recognize his strong interest and personal ongoing contribution to development of junior golfers in Queensland and throughout Australia."

The Premier said Greg Norman's successful enterprises in real estate, agriculture and food in the United States provided strong promotional and business links for Queensland and Australia.

"Not only is Greg Norman's Australian Prime beef again a star at this year's G'Day USA gala, but this year Greg himself is one of the stars of the show," she said.

"On behalf of the Queensland Government, I sincerely congratulate Greg Norman on his latest international achievement in winnin g this award."

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