Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says everyone in the South Burnett town of Blackbutt was celebrating when the life-size bronze statue immortalising Australian tennis great, Roy Emerson was officially unveiled.
Mrs Frecklington said Roy Emerson was born on dairy farm just a few kilometres from Blackbutt and called Blackbutt home before he began his tennis career.
“This is an historic and momentous occasion for the small regional town of Blackbutt as they honour their home-grown hero, Roy Emerson,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Volunteers from the Blackbutt & District Tourism and Heritage Assoc deserve an enormous congratulations for their commitment to commissioning the statue and their daily commitment to staffing the Roy Emerson Museum.
“They have done an amazing job in raising funding for the statue, which will provide locals and tourists with an insight into this wonderfully talented tennis player and his connection to Blackbutt and the South Burnett.
“The group were successful in securing a $35,000 Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant, along with more than $37,000 pledged through various local groups and individuals.
“They also partnered with Tennis Qld, Tennis Australia and Mr Peter Rasey of Frew Park (formerly Milton Tennis Centre) in Brisbane to ensure the project had as much support as possible.
