Former NSW premier John Fahey's role in winning the Olympics for Sydney will remain his greatest legacy, but he also delivered significant reforms and new infrastructure that still serves the state today
Former NSW premier John Fahey's role in winning the Olympics for Sydney will remain his greatest legacy but in almost three years in the job, he also delivered significant reforms and new infrastructure that still serves the state today.John Joseph Fahey was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1945 to Stephen and Annie, Irish immigrants who left their native Galway in search of a better life. They were devout Catholics.
He was immensely proud of being a solicitor and maintained practicing as NSW premier. It taught him an attention for detail that later was the dread of public servants who were not over their brief. He initialled every page he read. But he saw the human side of the law and how it helped and hurt people – an experience that followed him into politics.
His work ethic was legendary. The lights burned in his office until the early hours of the morning as he worked through his briefs with a cigarette and a cup of black coffee ever present.Credit:For many, it is his role in winning the Olympics for Sydney which remains his greatest legacy. The image of Fahey, jumping with joy as the announcement was made of Sydney’s winning bid is now part of the pantheon of images that tell the story of the best ever Olympics.
Part of his success was surely due to his open-hearted and generous nature. He was quick to have a yarn over a drink and a smoke, often late into the night. He was always up for a chat, was genuinely interested in the lives of others and was willing to work through the differences of opinion with honesty and respect.
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