January 29, 2019
Blackbutt’s favourite son, tennis great Roy Emerson, received a major award in the Australia Day Honours List on Saturday.
Roy, who was raised at nearby Nukku, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his “eminent service to tennis as a player at the national and international level, to the promotion of the sport, and as an inspiration to young sportspersons”.
During his career, Emerson won 12 Grand Slam tournament finals, 16 Men’s Doubles titles and eight Davis Cup titles.
This is the latest tribute for the sporting legend, who is remembered in Blackbutt with a bronze statue and a small museum in his honour.
In August 2000, Roy was awarded an Australian Sports Medal.
In 2016, he was named an “Australia Post Legend” and his image was used on postage stamps.
These days Roy, 82, lives in Newport Beach, California, but makes regular trips back to Australia.
He attended the recent Australian Open in Melbourne and posed for photos with winner Novak Djokovic after the final.
Related articles:
- Emerson Gets Stamp Of Approval
- Roy’s Our Boy In Blackbutt
- Roy’s Coming Back To Blackbutt
- Big Night Tops Off Statue Project
- 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
[Originally published as “Emerson Awarded Australia Day Honour”]
