TWENTY two  of Queanbeyan’s finest achievers had their contributions to the city were honoured this morning when the Queanbeyan Honour Walk was launched.

Located in the new Crawford   Stprecinct, it  includes the names and achievements of 22 of Queanbeyan’s most influential residents on bronzed plaques to be set into the pavement.

“The establishment of the Honour Walk allows us to recognise the feats and achievements of Queanbeyan’s great contributors,” Queanbeyan Mayor, Tim Overall said, praising the “ great mix of the past and  present.”

Councillor Overall said it was  envisaged that over the coming years more plaques would  be installed along both sides of  the Crawford St Precinct.

With more than 50 nominations received, it is believed that those who  missed out on selection by Council’s Awards Committee would be considered in future years.

The inaugural  inductees into the Queanbeyan Honour Walk are (in alphabetical order):

David Campese – Australian rugby union legend. 101 tests, 64 tries and Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame inductee.

Yvonne Cuschieri OAM – founded the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group.

William Farrer – In 1901 developed an early-maturing wheat strain, named ‘Federation’, revolutionising the Australian wheat industry.

Capt. Alured Tasker Faunce – Appointed Queanbeyan’s first Police Magistrate from 1838 until 1856.

David Furner – NSW and Australian rugby league representation. Highest point-scoring forward in league history.

John Gale – Established Queanbeyan’s first newspaper in 1860. Alderman on the first Queanbeyan Borough Council 1885. Advocated Canberra as site for National Capital.

Dr Allan Hawke AC – Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Paul Keating 1993-94. Federal Departmental Secretary 1994-2002. High Commissioner to New Zealand 2003-05. Chancellor of Australian National University 2006-09

Brad Haddin – Australian Test, One-Day and Twenty20 representative. Member of 2007 World Cup winning team.

“Queen” Nellie Hamilton – The last full-blooded Aboriginal person in Queanbeyan. Died 1887. A life marked by sacrifice and family tragedy.

Land Family – Edwin Henry Land, Mayor 1890-91, 1892-97. Henry Thomas Land, Mayor 1927-29 Frederick Edwin Land, MBE, Mayor 1963-80.

Hope Marland AM – Councillor 1965-95. President of Local Government Association (NSW) 1984-86. Over 40 years assisting the vulnerable and less advantaged in the community.

Heather McKay AM – Squash legend, won 16 consecutive British Opens and 14 consecutive Australian Amateur Championships.

Bishop Pat Power – Auxiliary Bishop of Canberra-Goulburn 1986-2012. Secretary to three Archbishops 1975-1985. Canberra Citizen of the Year 2009.

Errol Lea-Scarlett – Historian and author of many highly respected works on the history of Queanbeyan Region. Founding member of Historical Museum Society.

Robert (Bob) Smith – Queanbeyan Town Clerk for 36 years, 1952-1988.

Ben Snow – Five-time Academy Award Nominee for Best Visual Effects in Pearl Harbour, Pirates of the Caribbean, Iron Man (twice) and Terminator Salvation.

Rev. Alberto Dias Soares – Minister,ChritChurch1857-77. Architect oChristChurch, St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church and many other church and heritage buildings.

Ricky Stuart – Australian rugby union representation and NSW andAustraliarugby league representative and coach.

Sir Murray Tyrrell KCVO CBE CVO – Private Secretary to numerous Ministers. OfficialSecretary to six Governors General, 1947-1973. Australian of the Year 1977. Queanbeyan

City Councillor 1976-1980.

Mark Webber – Winner of many Formula 1 titles, including German Grand Prix (2009), Monaco Grand Prix (2010, 2012) and British Grand Prix (2010, 2012).

Edith May Walker – Dedicated and much respected teacher,Queanbeyan Public School from 1922. Over 50 years service to education.

Lial James (Jim) Woods OAM – Owner, Editor and Managing Director of Queanbeyan Age, 1956-1994. Founding member of Queanbeyan Sporting Gallery and Queanbeyan Printing Museum.