S19·E12 A Man Called Boy

Introduced by Amanda Shalala from ABC Grandstand

This week's program tells the story of an Olympic champion so seemingly without ego that even his son and grandsons knew very little of his fame.

Andrew 'Boy' Charlton was a hero who stamped his name across the world, with feats so marvellous he forged Australia's national spirit at a time when the nation was beleaguered by the Depression and the losses of the Great War.

At just 16, he sliced two minutes off the world record for the 1500m freestyle, and won Australia’s first gold medal in that event at the 1924 Paris Olympics. It was the beginning of a dynasty of Australian swimmers – Murray Rose, John Konrads, Kieren Perkins and Grant Hackett – who later made the 1500m 'Australia's event'.

But then at the height of his fame, and when Hollywood movie offers were there for the taking, 'Boy' Charlton retired to the bush, with no desire to perpetuate his name.

Now a new generation is rediscovering this great Australian – a man called 'Boy'.