September 1, 2026
The seventeenth in the series of Ideas@theHouse events, which are joint presentations of Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and the Royal Society of New South Wales, was held on the evening of Tuesday, 1 September 2026, in the Ballroom of Government House, Sydney.
Matthew Allen AM, a distinguished ocean sailor, a multiple winner of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, and presently the Vice-President of The Australian Olympic Committee and Chair of The Australian Olympic Community Foundation, was the speaker on this occasion, addressing the topic of ‘The increasing importance of sport in today’s world.’
Matthew Allen’s presentation argued that sport is one of Australia’s most important forms of social infrastructure, and not merely recreation or elite competition. Drawing on his sailing career, involvement with the Australian Olympic Committee, and observations of events such as the Sydney Marathon and the Olympic Games, he emphasised sport’s power to create belonging, unity, resilience and shared national purpose.
He warned that Australia is facing rapid social and economic change: AI, remote work, fragmented communities, declining institutional membership and rising loneliness are weakening traditional sources of connection. In this context, local clubs, teams, volunteers and informal sporting communities become even more important, arguing that sport helps children build confidence, teaches teamwork and humility, supports physical and mental health, and gives older Australians ways to stay active and connected.
Mr Allen also highlighted pressures on sport: falling participation in some areas, stretched volunteers, compliance burdens, and competition for land from housing and commercial development. He argued that governments and communities must protect sporting facilities, support volunteers, and plan infrastructure for broad, long-term participation.
The Australian Olympic Committee’s role was presented as broader than winning medals. It supported athletes, schools, Indigenous scholarships, community programs and Olympic values. Looking ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, Allen saw a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen Australia’s health, inclusion, Pacific relationships and national identity — provided that the legacy was measured by lasting community benefit, not just ceremonies or medal counts.
A recording of this presentation is now available on the Society’s YouTube channel. A gallery of images from the occasion is also available for downloading from the preceding link.
