Ginninderra News - July 2005

Honour Walk

A newspaper editor, a scientist of international standing, a leading Australian poet, an architect and two sporting teams are among the first 17 inductees in the new ACT Honour Walk in Civic. The Walk, in the pedestrian area of Ainslie Avenue between London Circuit and City Walk, recognises people who have made outstanding contributions to the development of Canberra.

The 17 inaugural ACT Honour Walk inductees — who include historian Manning Clark and the Canberra Philharmonic Society — are a diverse group of people and organisations.

Architects, poets, scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, sports stars and politicians have all contributed to Canberra as we know it today. The ACT Honour Walk is a tribute to our community life and will take pride of place in a part of the city that includes the Ethos Statue, representing the spirit of our community and Fireline, an artwork representing the Ngunnawal people’s relationship with the ACT Region.

The inaugural Honour Walk inductees include:

James (Jim) Fraser — the ACT’s sole Federal MP from 1951 to 1970;

Rosemary Follett — the ACT’s first Chief Minister and the first woman to lead an Australian government;

Stasia Dabrowski OAM — With her mobile soup kitchen she has provided food to the homeless and needy for 26 years;

The Brumbies — who joined the inaugural Super 12 competition in 1996, winning championships in 2001 and 2004;

The Raiders — who entered the NSW Rugby League competition in 1982, winning premierships in 1989, 1990 and 1994; and

Frank Fenner AC — Foundation Professor of Microbiology at the John Curtin School of Medical Research in 1949. He played a major role in controlling Australia’s rabbit problem and in the global eradication of smallpox.