October 26, 2016
Former Wimbledon star Roy Emerson will be heading back to Blackbutt in January for the official unveiling of the Emerson statue at Blackbutt.
Hazel Christie-Small, from the Blackbutt and District Tourism and Heritage Association, made the announcement at the recent fundraising dinner held at the Blackbutt Showgrounds.
The life-size bronze statue of Roy “Emmo” Emerson was to be unveiled on November 3, but when news came through about the star’s return trip, the decision was quickly made to delay the official ceremony to coincide with his visit.
The dinner and auction, held on October 15, aimed to raise enough money to finish the statue project by building a plinth and creating landscaping.
The statue will located beside Nukku Nook, at the Blackbutt head of the rail trail.
Nukku Nook is the relocated former Nukku State School – which Roy Emerson attended – and now houses the Roy Emerson Museum.
Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Sallyanne Atkinson and former Australian tennis champion Daphne Fancutt entertained the diners with a string of anecdotes.
The dinner was also a big night for Hazel Christie-Small, who was presented with the 2016 Sports Tourism/Wendy Turnbull Award for all her work on the Emerson project.
The fundraising night was supported by the Blackbutt Show Society, John Ballinger, Cr Spud Jones (auction items), Kilcoy Pastoral Company, Swickers Kingaroy and Wiikirri Retreat (door raffle)
[Videos by Frewpark Milton]
Related articles:
- Statue To Be Unveiled This Year
- $35,000 Grant For Statue Project
- Halfway Mark For Emerson Statue
- Tennis Tales Honour A Champion
- Last Chance To Book For Tennis Lunch
- No Way For Roy Emerson
- Petition Lodged To Honour Emerson
- Tennis Champ Has A Ball In Blackbutt
- Tennis Legend To Visit Blackbutt
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Sallyanne Atkinson
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