Tragedy and triumph in equal measure kicked off 2011 as the nation's sporting bodies dug deep after 70 towns and more than 200,000 people were affected by the Queensland Floods. The estimated damage bill? Close to one billion dollars.
There was a statement at Rod Laver arena which would become written not only on hardcourt, but on grass. Novak Djokovic - at 23 - heralded a new order in the men's game. And it didn't involve Roger or Rafa. The Serb was so dominant this year, that he would go on to win Wimbledon and the US Open.
In the women's game, an emotional Kim Clijsters declared she had finally earned the title “Aussie Kim” after defeating Li Na in Melbourne for her her first major outside the US and her fourth overall.
Our cricketers saw the Ashes slip away in humiliating and emphatic fashion at the SCG, losing the series 3-1 to England. Heads were set to roll; In the end, it was Ricky Ponting's captaincy that was terminated. Australia was later eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup amidst a torrent of controversy.
There was a chance for the Socceroos to send off their veterans in glorious fashion in the final of the Asian Cup against Japan. It wasn't to be. The jury is still out on whether Harry Kewell (33), Mark Schwarzer (39), Brett Emerton (32) and Lucas Neill (33) will be part of Australia's World Cup team should we qualify for Brazil 2014.
High profile player agent, Ricky Nixon was embroiled in a war of words and an alleged sexual affair with a 17-year-old girl which saw nude and semi-nude photographs of St Kilda footballers placed on the internet.
The Thorpedo came out of retirement in February for a shot at Olympic glory at the London 2012 Games. His performances to date have been well off his previous best times.
The same can't be said for James Magnussen who in July became Australian swimming's next big thing after claiming the 100m freestyle world title.
Barcelona proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that they remain the global club side benchmark. First came the Champions League final defeat of Manchester United in May. Then in December, it was Santos of Brazil that was put to the sword 4-0 in the World Club Cup decider. Unsurprisingly, Barca's FIFA world player of the year, Lionel Messi scored in both matches.
The FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany saw 2010 Asian champions, the Matildas knocked out in the quarter-final stage at the hands of Sweden. Japan became the first Asian nation to win the title.
A deal surrounding one of the most highly anticipated football signings in the history of the local game threatened to descend into farce following reported demands from Harry Kewell's manager. Former Blackburn star, Brett Emerton's signing with Sydney FC was a much more low-key affair in comparison.
But it was neither Kewell's Melbourne Victory or Emerton's Sydney FC that would re-write the record books. That honour went to the A-League's Brisbane Roar and the team's 36-match run without loss; the longest unbeaten streak in the history of Australian sport.
Described as “Roarcelona, it soon became a case of Poorcelona after losing their next four matches immediately after setting the landmark.
On two wheels, it was all about Cadel Evans and his historic ride straight into the record books in July. Evans the first Australian to win world cycling's greatest race, the Tour de France. Colleague Mike Tomalaris ,who for over a decade, has spent his career covering the Tour for SBS, was even more emotional than Cadel post-race. And with good reason.
On four wheels, there was no stopping Sebastian Vettel as he cruised to back-to-back Formula One world titles for Red Bull Racing. Australia's Casey Stoner on a Honda took out the MotoGP title for a second time, four years after his breakthrough season.
The world bid farewell to some of sport's true greats. Golfing legend Seve Ballesteros passed away at 54 after a long battle with a brain tumour. MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli was involved in a horror crash in Malaysia which cost him his life while the final bell also tolled for“The Real Rocky”, former heavyweight champion of the world, Joe Frazier.
No surprises in Rugby League's State of Origin as Queensland marched to a sixth consecutive series win, sending out veteran Maroons captain Darren Lockyer a winner in his 36th and final game. While the Reds completed a sweep for Queensland sport as they won the Super Rugby title
The chant prior to the NRL Grand Final may have been “Anyone but Manly” but it seemed to fall on deaf ears North of the Harbour Bridge, as the Sea Eagles defeated the Warriors in the decider.
In the AFL, there was no fairytale ending for Mick Malthouse after his Collingwood side lost to Geelong. Chris Scott led the Cats to victory in his first season in charge.
There was plenty of drama at the IAAF World Championships in South Korea. Usain was hit by a Bolt of lightning after being disqualified from the men's 100 metres final.
After the heartache at Roland Garros a year prior, Australia's Sam Stosur was left singing “New York, New York” after winning the US Open, becoming the first Australian female in 31 years to win a Slam.
The former caddy of Tiger Woods made headlines around the world after calling his former employer a “black arsehole”. He later apologised.
French based horse, Dunaden, stopped the nation with the closest finish in the history of the Melbourne Cup.
And the Wallabies imploded against Ireland in the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand before being eliminated by the hosts in the semi-finals, asthe All Blacks finally cast off their 24-year competition hoodoo, but only just.
However, spare a thought for France World Cup captain, Thierry Dusautoir.
It's bad enough losing in the decider by a solitary point.
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