Last month, Sam was honoured as a member of the Vintage and Veterans Power Boat Hall of Fame for his decorated career as a powerboat commentator, which spanned across 39 years of service.
Growing up along the Lake Mulwala foreshore, Sam was obsessed with hydroplanes since he was six years old.
His commentary career began when Yarrawonga identity Brian ‘Doc’ Keenan OAM started the Yarrawonga Hot Rod Club.
At the age of 13, Sam, second in line to his older brother, was approached by Brian with a unique opportunity.
Since his first live microphone, Sam would go on to commentate sports far-beyond the hot rod strip.
Trots, horse racing, cycling, and anything available, he was there vocalising the excitement.
Sam said an old friend from the Victorian Speedboat Club, helped him finally commentate his true love of powerboat racing.
“He went to the club’s director and said, ‘we got a guy that absolutely annihilates your bloke’ (as a commentator),” he said.
“Once we found out the position was given away, I got the opportunity.”
From the moment his commentary career within the sport he loved began 39 years ago, it would take him to places he never imagined.
In 2004, Sam was the main caller for the World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championships along Lake Karapiro in Cambridge, New Zealand.
Before streaming became the normality in today’s world of broadcasting, Sam had the thrill of commentating in-front of 200,000 people, at the three-day Hydroplane Racing League event, in 2013.
“Its all French (people) there, and when I got up in there (commentary position) and did my thing, people were loving it,” he said.
“One lady got into my arms and said, ‘I wish our French commentators talked like you, but I didn’t understand you’.
“In 2018 I went back again for the 80th edition, the American’s got onto me and asked if that Australian commentator would stay another three weeks and call for us out in Niagara Falls.
“I ended up staying with one of the racing teams and called the Thunder on the Niagara competition before coming back home.”
Sam said he didn’t commentate for the awards and accolades, but purely for the crowd’s entertainment.
He attended the Vintage and Veterans Power Boat Hall of Fame ceremony in Sydney, with his daughter Rhoda, who encouraged him to have his story written in the paper.
Although now at the age of 78, and admitting he has slowed down, you may hear Sam’s passion blare out the speakers again soon.
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