May 2, 2013
The South Burnett Regional Council has planted a garden at the recently Heritage-listed Murgon Town Hall to honour sporting legend Steve Renouf.
“Council have chosen to plant black roses – which are also known as the Black Pearl – in honour of Steve’s nickname,” Cr Kathy Duff said.
Steve Renouf, who grew up in Murgon, was a try-scoring machine for the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team, and still holds the club’s record for the most tries scored in a season.
He was dubbed “the Black Pearl” by team-mates.
The Black Pearl rose, also known as the Brindabella Rose, has buds that are jet black. It then flowers into a deep red, almost black, rose with a beautiful perfume.
“I believe there was another football player in England called the Black Pearl,” Steve said today.
“When I first went to the Broncos in the reserve grade, way back in 1988, a team mate called me ‘The Black Pearl’ and it caught on as my permanent nickname.
“I am looking forward to seeing the facelift to the Murgon Hall. I am honoured the flower of choice at the hall will be ‘The Black Pearl’.”
Cr Duff said the garden would finish off the renovations to the building and “add some current memories to its history”.
Steve Renouf was in the South Burnett for the launch of the Kingaroy Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal.
