Alan and Di Webber with David Furner at the launch of the Queanbeyan honour walk.
AROUND 150 people turned out on a rainy Friday morning last week to see the new Crawford Street Honour Walk officially launched, and 22 notable Queanbeyan residents recognised for their contribution to the city.
A number of inductees were present for the launch, including long-term councillor and charity volunteer Hope Marland, Bishop Pat Power, former High Commissioner to New Zealand and former ANU Chancellor Dr Allan Hawke, rugby league great David Furner, former owner and editor of The Queanbeyan Age, Jim Woods, Australian squash champion Heather McKay and ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group founder Yvonne Cuschieri.
Local Queanbeyan sporting legends Mark Webber of Formula One racing team Red Bull and Australian cricketer Brad Haddin were both abroad on sporting commitments, but were represented by their parents, Alan and Di Webber and Anne and Ross Haddin on the day.
"It's a great honour for Mark," Mrs Webber told The Queanbeyan Age.
"Obviously Mark was born and bred here, and Alan and I were born and bred here. It's a shame that Mark can't be here today to see this, but that's just his life. He's a busy man," she said.
The Haddins also said the recognition meant a lot to their son, Brad.
"It's a great honour for Brad. He's very disappointed that he can't be here, but it means a lot to us," mum Anne said.
Meanwhile, League legend David Furner said there was something in the water here in Queanbeyan that produced so many high achievers.
"I know for me, growing up in Queanbeyan, it's always had a proud tradition across all sports and all business. It's just something that's been instilled in us. And all Queanbeyan people, myself included, are very proud of this town," he said.
The buoyant Crawford St gathering was abuzz with stories from 174 years of Queanbeyan history, and indeed the date chosen for the launch, September 28, fell on the town's Proclamation Day, exactly 174 years after Queanbeyan was officially proclaimed a township.
There was three generations of the Gale family in attendance to celebrate the induction of former Queanbeyan newspaper editor, councillor and 'Father of Canberra' John Gale, and they were also celebrating the induction of Bob Smith, who married Val Smith, Gale's great granddaughter.
Queanbeyan Mayor Tim Overall said the Honour Walk was a way to celebrate the contribution these notable residents had made to the community.
"The Honour Walk is an appropriate way of publicly recognising those throughout Queanbeyan's history... that have made an outstanding and long-lasting contribution to our community," Cr Overall said.
Further Honour Walk inductees will be added to the Crawford Street lifestyle precinct in the coming years.
For more on the Honour Walk: http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/350049/honour-walk-unveiled/?cs=1529