Dawn Fraser, Patron of the Alice Springs Masters Games, stopped over in Coober Pedy this week as she travelled north to the Alice. 

Dawn Fraser and Maxine Ikonomopoulos with Johns Pizza Bar babies Leonadis and Tyrone

Dawn Fraser has been involved with the Games since its inception in 1985, when she played a key role on the committee that worked to make the first Games a reality.  Since that time Dawn has attended all of the previous eleven Games and is back in 2008 once again as the very special Patron of ‘The Friendly Games’ scheduled to begin on 11 October 2008.

The community minded Ikonomopoulos family, Nick, Maxine, Peter, Gina and Trent, Stephen and Jodie along with their staff at the popular Coober Pedy venue, “Johns Pizza Bar” had a busy night when the party Dawn was travelling with, arrived for dinner on Thursday evening. Fortunately the Pizza Bar has a variety of dining areas and can adequately cope with multiple bookings.

Peter Ikonomopoulos, Manager of the Pizza Bar was quite excited to host the group travelling to the Games having grown up hearing about Dawn Fraser, the legend, a name attached to sporting achievements that is now part of Australia’s history.  Mum, Maxine was equally proud to show off her two new grandchildren Ty and Leo to the swimming star as the sporting party enjoyed the family atmosphere of dinner in the desert.  Hopefully some enthusiasm for sport may rub off on the two youngsters.

Coober Pedy Regional Times