Allora crowns sporting legends

Warwick Thistle Pipe Band opened the ceremony.

By Emily-Rose Toohey

On Saturday morning, the town of Allora came together to honour its first sporting immortals, netballer Laura Geitz and rugby league coach Wayne Bennett.

The pair returned for the unveiling of Geitz’s statuette beside Allora Regional Sports Museum, which had been postponed for over two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

After receiving memorable items from their former primary schools (Allora State School and St Patrick’s School Allora), Geitz said that the town was where it all began for her and that growing up in the country played a significant part in her success.

“Every kid who’s been given a country upbringing is very lucky and set in good stead,” she said.

“Thank you for being part of the journey.”

Similarly, Bennett said that he was brought up by the Allora community.

“It always had a big impact on me,” he said.

“I grew up in the Showgrounds on the footy field and I love the town and people, and working on the farms gave me an opportunity that only country kids have.”

As part of the day’s celebrations, Molly and Mahailia Williams were presented with ceremonial shovels and tasked with the job of digging up the time capsule buried beneath the statuette in 2069 (one from 1969 and another from 2019).

See our collection of pictures taken on the day.