Recognition of Roy Emerson, Tennis Icon
Council is pleased to announce that a small section of Hart Street, Blackbutt has been named “Roy Emerson Way” in honour of Roy Emerson’s significant connection to Blackbutt & South Burnett region.
The section extends from the D’Aguilar Highway to the “Roy Emerson Museum” on Hart Street and signage was installed on Wednesday 9 August 2023.
“South Burnett Regional Council would like to recognise and congratulate this milestone to Roy Emerson and his family. Roy Emerson is one of Australia’s greatest sporting icons and a local to our region, having been “born and bred” on farmland on the D’Aguilar Highway near the section identified” said Acting Mayor Gavin Jones.
Roy Emerson AC received one of Australia’s highest honours being made a companion of the Order of Australia medal (AC) on Australia Day in 2019 “for eminent service to tennis as a player at the national and international level, to the promotion of the sport and as an information to young sportspersons”.
Roy went on to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, winning the Australian Open, the US Open, The French Open and Wimbledon. His record of 12 individual grand slams stood for over 30 years before being passed by Pete Sampras and ultimately, Roger Federer.
Pictured from left to right Ian and Hazel Christie-Small, Acting Mayor Gavin Jones, Cr Jane Erkens, Volunteers from the Roy Emerson Museum,
Cr Kirstie Schumacher, Cr Danita Potter, Nick Freelea Gus and John Atkins.
