{"id":240993,"date":"2019-08-03T13:00:25","date_gmt":"2019-08-03T03:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=240993"},"modified":"2020-07-18T15:30:48","modified_gmt":"2020-07-18T05:30:48","slug":"pride-and-sadness-at-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/08\/03\/pride-and-sadness-at-hall-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"Pride And Sadness At Hall Of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LEFT: Jeffrey “Mitta” Dynevor Jeffrey. RIGHT: Jeffrey and Lavina Dynevor with boxing historian Bob Webster. INSET: The Gold medal that Mitta won at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth in 1962 (Photos: The Ration Shed and Shane Dynevor)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 3, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a proud \u2013 but sad \u2013 day for Cherbourg residents when Jeffrey \u201cMitta\u201d Dynevor was inducted into the Queensland Boxing Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

The ceremony, organised by the Boxing Supporters Association of Queensland, was held during a special lunch at the Showmen\u2019s Club at Yatala.<\/p>\n

A busload from Cherbourg – including many of Mitta’s relatives, four young Cherbourg boxers and Mayor Arnold Murray – attended the event on July 21.<\/p>\n

Mitta’s nephew and namesake\u00a0Jeffrey Dynevor told southburnett.com.au it had been a very good day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Everyone was happy and sad, too, at the same time,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Sad because Uncle Mitta wasn’t there to be a part of it, and happy and proud that he was being acknowledged.”<\/p>\n

Mitta (1938-2008) was the first Aboriginal boxer to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal.<\/p>\n

In 1962,\u00a0along with fellow Cherbourg boxers Adrian Blair and Eddie Barney, he competed at the then-British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth.<\/p>\n

Mitta came home with a gold medal after defeating Ghana\u2019s Samuel Abbey in the final.<\/p>\n

The Queensland Boxing Hall of Fame was opened in 2006, and since then boxers and boxing associates have been inducted every year.<\/p>\n

Other South Burnett boxers already honoured include Noel \u201cStumpy\u201d Butwell (inducted 2008), Arthur Cripps (2011)\u00a0 and Arthur \u201cBullet\u201d Bradley (2015).<\/p>\n

Boxing historian Bob Webster said he had been “blown away” by the day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“There were 230 people in a hall that should really only take about 200!” he said.<\/p>\n

“The presentation was very emotive,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Young Jeff teared up and he wasn’t the only one.\u00a0The expression on everyone’s faces of sheer pride and delight was amazing.”<\/p>\n

Bob said it was also special because the young Cherbourg boxers – who came down in their club uniforms – had the opportunity to meet and pose for photos with the many former\u00a0champions who were in the room.<\/p>\n

“It was one helluva positive event,” he said. “It was just an amazing day.”<\/p>\n

The actual induction ceremony was carried out by\u00a0Boxing Supporters Association of Queensland president Scott Tweedie after a short talk by “Bullet” Bradley, who shared memories of his gym mate, Mitta.<\/p>\n

Mitta’s nephew Jeffrey, niece Rosemary and grandson William were invited on stage to accept the award.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Uncle was a very respectful gentleman, inside and outside the ring,” Jeffrey said.<\/p>\n

“He did not talk much about his boxing career with his family but he would always yarn with other boxers, and he was very happy to share his knowledge and stories.”<\/p>\n

Jeffrey said he had mixed emotions.<\/p>\n

“When I\u00a0 got the phone call from Bob Webster, I was so excited that I could not wait to tell people of this breakthrough for our deadly uncle hero,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We have great sadness in our hearts and minds because Uncle Mitta is not here to witness his induction.<\/p>\n

“However, we are very grateful, happy and full of pride that Uncle Mitta has been recognised for his boxing career.<\/p>\n

“And we know that Uncle Mitta would be feeling the same.”<\/p>\n

Mitta’s eldest grandchild, William Docherty, also spoke.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He said his Pop was\u00a0born in 1938 in Thargomindah.<\/p>\n

Mitta and his siblings were moved to Cherbourg in 1946.<\/p>\n

“Pop was one of the outstanding athletes who came out of Cherbourg,” William said.<\/p>\n

He thanked the Queensland Boxing Association for inducting his grandfather.<\/p>\n

“Pop is an inspiration to all of us.”<\/p>\n

As well as Mitta, two other boxers and two boxing associates were inducted into the Hall of Fame during the lunch:<\/strong><\/p>\n