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Australian Women
Biographical entry
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McKay, Heather Pamela (1941 - )AM, MBE |
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| Sportswoman | |
| Born: 31 July 1941 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Awarded the Australian Sports Medal on 30 August 2000, Heather McKay was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) on 26 January 1979 for her service to the sport of squash. She was appointed Order of the British Empire - Member (Civil) on 1 January 1969 for services to sport. Australian representative in squash and hockey, Heather McKay dominated ladies squash for two decades and lost only two squash matches in her career. |
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Born Heather Blundell, the eighth of eleven children, who were all interested in sport. Heather Blundell played tennis in summer and hockey in winter. In 1959 with the idea of improving her fitness for hockey, she played her first game of squash. A year later she entered the National Championships and won the Australian title, and then won it every year for the next 14 years. In 1962 she won the British Open - a title she held until 1977. Heather Blundell married one of her male practice partners, Brian McKay, in 1965. The McKay's left Australia in 1975 to coach in Canada and while there Heather McKay played racquetball. In 1985 the Mckay's returned to Australia and until 1993 she worked as a squash coach at the Australian Institute of Sport. Chronology
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Published by National Foundation for Australian Women on Australian Women's Archives Project Web Site Comments, questions, corrections and additions: awap@womenaustralia.info Prepared by: Acknowledgements Updated: 19 March 2004 http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/IMP0180b.htm |