From an inspirational sportswoman to a prolific playwright, five new local legends have been welcomed into Maitland City Hall of Fame.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Thursday, the five new inductees were announced during a special ceremony at Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Mayor Loretta Baker said the hall of fame was established to recognise people from all spheres of the community, from visionary artists to brilliant academics to inspiring sportspeople.
"We acknowledge and celebrate their place in the rich fabric of our community," she said.
"You [the inductees] are an inspiration to others and a source of great city pride."
The inductees include Peter Bogan, Nicholas Enright, Gary Harley, Col Johnston and Melinda Thompson.
Mr Bogan, who passed away in 2018, was recognised for his contribution to research and education.
The prominent local historian was well known for his work in highlighting and preserving Maitland's flood history.
Mr Bogan was acknowledged by the SES on the 60th anniversary of the 1955 flood for his in depth and detailed knowledge of its history.
He was also an enthusiastic volunteer and recognised for his support from Maitland City Council with a Volunteers Award in 2017.
While Nicholas Enright, 1950 to 2003, was remembered as "one of Australia's most important and prolific playwrights".
His many awards include two Green Room Awards for Best Play, and four Gold AWGIE Awards, the 1998 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award and the NSW Premier's Special Award, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay and a posthumous AM.
Also on the list was Gary Harley, who has proudly promoted his hometown of Maitland for more than 40 years through broadcasting and journalism on rugby league, greyhound racing and horse racing.
Mr Harley said he was very proud to be inducted into the city's Hall of Fame - even if he initially thought it was a "gee up".
"To be recognised is very special ... I'm engulfed in the racing industry and I'll be there until they carry me out on a stretcher," he said.
"It was a bit of a surprise but it's very special. In my 35 years of racing calling, Maitland Showground was one of the first places I called.
"I think Maitland is the biggest and best city in the Hunter Valley."
He also played first grade cricket in Maitland and rugby league for the Maitland Pickers.
Mr Harley's knowledge of racing is highly regarded and he is a member of the Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame.
Well-known sportsman, Colin Johnston was also immortalised into the Hall of Fame.
Known as Mr Maitland Cricket, he received a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to sport and the community.
Mr Johnston helped to put Maitland on the map as a strong country cricket centre and was active in encouraging state teams to visit Maitland to play matches against local and Hunter Valley representative teams.
He also played representative cricket with NSW Country and NSW Seconds, and won 11 premierships during his captaincy of the local Northern Districts team.
Inspiring sportswoman, Melinda Thompson said she was incredibly overwhelmed to join the ranks of the city's hall of fame.
"I'm very honoured, and I would like to thank everyone for what they've done for me over the years," she said.
"It's amazing. I just feel so honoured."
Ms Thompson was the winner of the first professional women's foot race over 100 metres in Australia and is listed in Guinness Book of Records for this achievement.
She was the first woman to run professionally against men and win in a 70 metres race.
