January 9, 2015
Blackbutt is about to go tennis crazy with the return to town of local hero – and international tennis legend – Roy Emerson for a special visit later this month.
During his career, Emerson, 79, won 12 Grand Slam tournament finals, 16 Men’s Doubles titles and eight Davis Cup titles.
He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986.
Emerson grew up just outside Blackbutt and attended the old Nukku School. For the past 40 years he has lived in California with his wife Joy.
He’s coming back to the South Burnett at the invitation of the Blackbutt and District Tourism and Heritage Association.
During his visit he will drop into Nukku Nook, the old Nukku School building which has been re-located to the head of the Blackbutt Rail Trail, and is also expected to inspect a plaque which has been placed on the Rail Trail behind his former house.
The public can get a chance to meet Emerson and have a chat at the Mayor’s Community Lunch which will be held on Tuesday, January 20, from 11:30am to 2:00pm at the Blackbutt Golf Club.
Proceeds from the lunch will go towards current projects by the Blackbutt and District Tourism and Heritage Association.
Cost is $27 per head.
To book a ticket, contact Bronwyn Barry at the South Burnett Regional Council on (07) 4189-9155 or email Kristy Board by January 15.
On Thursday this week, the tennis legend was in Brisbane for the official opening of the six-court Roy Emerson Tennis Centre at Milton, part of a $12.5 million development by Brisbane City Council at Frew Park.
Footnote: A petition to the State Government to re-name part of the D’Aguilar Highway near Blackbutt as “Roy Emerson Way” is currently being prepared by members of the Blackbutt and District Tourism and Heritage Association.
UPDATE January 16: The lunch on January 20 is now fully booked out.
