PAT RAFTER: It is, because
it's not just about
sport, and I've been recognised, I guess, for the
things I do outside of tennis and I guess how you
handle defeat.
MAXINE MCKEW: I imagine at some point you'll
realise that your feet won't touch the ground this
year because you'll be doing a lot of activities
associated with the award.
What would you like to focus on particularly -- how
have you thought you might like to use the honour?
PAT RAFTER: I'd like to try and put sort of
environment across, and Australian values -- are
probably the two things that I'd like to get across.
And environment is very, very broad.
I guess I wanted to cover all areas of that and,
there's so many things to talk about, I guess.
But just representing yourself and representing the
country in Australia as well as you can when you're
in Australia and even when you're outside of
Australia.
MAXINE MCKEW: Have you also thought that you
might have a role, particularly in talking to young
Australians and perhaps I suppose, passing on some
of the values you feel that you were privileged to
grow up with, some of the family, the mentors, that
helped you as you were coming along?
PAT RAFTER: Yes, I think I've got the responsibility
now to set an example and I've had a lot of great
examples and I know my family's been a major
factor but also when I played tennis, it was Newk,
Roachy, Rosewell, Laver -- all the greats like that.
So I've been fortunate enough to have those great
people to show me the way and maybe if I can do a
little bit to maybe guide some young people or any
Australians that want to listen, then I'll do my job.
MAXINE McKEW: What embodies for you, the best
of our sporting values?
PAT RAFTER: I think Australia has a great tradition
of being great sportsmen, and then showing good
sportsmanship -- whether you win or lose.
And I think Australians are very, very proud of that
and I know I'm proud of whenever you see other
Australian teams participate in whatever it is.
And I think that's probably one of our proudest
achievements.
MAXINE McKEW: What about the whole question of
Australian identity.
I mean, we endlessly agonise about this, what are
your own thoughts about what it is to be
Australian?
PAT RAFTER: Yes, I mean, people might say we
don't have a culture, but I say our culture is that
we don't have a lot of culture -- I love it.
I love the Australian values, I love the Australian
humour, I love the way we can laugh at each other.
We can, you know -- just very relaxed nation.
I think we have, I personally, and I know this is
very, very biased, but I think we have the greatest
culture in the world and the greatest way of seeing
life.
And I'm very, very proud of it.
MAXINE McKEW: What do you mean by that, when
you say the way we look at life?
PAT RAFTER: I think we're a very laid back country
and a very laid back people.
Obviously when you're around cities you have a lot
of stress and work etc, but in general, I think the
Australians are probably known for being friendly
and laid back.
MAXINE McKEW: In your own career, you've also --
when you've not been on the tennis court -- you've
put a lot of work in recent years into setting up
foundations to help children in all sorts of areas.
Has that been inspired, if you like, by your sense of
what it means to make sure that -- the fair-go
principle, if you like, is being acted out?
PAT RAFTER: Yes.
I think I've got that from my father more than
anything.
I remember when we were kids you'd go to church
and the box would go around for putting money in
and my father never had any money but had nine
children, obviously, but he'd always find spare
change or a spare dollar to throw in the kitty.
And I always saw that as a great gesture and I've
always been brought up with giving even when you
don't have a lot and that's another great Australian
value that we have.
So, that's something -- another message that I can
probably help get across to the Australian public, as
well.
But, in general, I think the Australian public are
excellent in giving and helping out.
MAXINE McKEW: What about your own future, how
do you see that beyond tennis?
PAT RAFTER: I'm a little bit unclear with that as
well, to be honest.
I'm playing everything sort of open and see what
comes in and if I miss the game -- which I haven't
showed any signs of missing right now -- then I'd
love to come back.
But if I come back, then I've got to be fit, I've got
to be strong and I've got to want to win and to win
Grand Slams.
I don't want to come back to not be able to achieve
that.
So, if I feel like it's not a realistic quest for me to
come back, then I wouldn't come back.
But I do know that Lara's expecting in July, in
August, so that's going to be a change of life for me
as well.
MAXINE McKEW: Well, congratulations and good
luck for all those events.
PAT RAFTER: Thank you very much.
I'm going to need it.
MAXINE McKEW: Thanks, Pat.
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