“FIGHTING Spirit: The Art of Boxing” will open at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on 13 June, bringing together powerful stories, artwork and rare screen footage that celebrate Australia’s rich boxing history.
Developed by the National Portrait Gallery and the National Film and Sound Archive, the exhibition explores boxing’s connections to identity, resilience and community through paintings, photographs and archival film from national collections.
Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the stories behind some of Australia’s most influential boxing figures, including legendary Dunghutti boxer Dave Sands.
A highlight of the opening weekend program will be an exclusive conversation with Chad Ritchie, Dave Sands’ grandson, who will share personal insights into one of Australia’s most significant boxing legacies.
Mr Ritchie said the exhibition provides an important opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Sands family in the region where they grew up.
“It’s really exciting that the legacy of my grandfather and the Fighting Sands Brothers will be celebrated in an exhibition in the very region they grew up in,” he said.
“It’s an important way to acknowledge their stories, recognise their resilience and honour the impact they had on the region, but also on Australian boxing history more broadly.
“I’m honoured to represent the family as part of the exhibition’s opening weekend talks and encourage people to come along to learn more about these incredible boxers.”
Dave Sands remains one of Australia’s most celebrated fighters.
The proud Dunghutti man won 97 of his 110 professional bouts and became a trailblazer for Indigenous athletes during a remarkable career.
His life was tragically cut short in 1952 when he died in a truck accident near Dungog.
The exhibition offers local audiences a rare chance to reflect on his enduring legacy and the broader cultural impact of boxing in Australia.
By Sis HIGGINS
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