Allora Regional Sports Museum president Perry Cronin was the most shocked man in Allora when he was presented with a Hall of Fame Induction at lunch at the Commercial Hotel in Allora on Saturday, November 7.
Around 150 people assembled outside the museum for the official opening of major extensions. Museum immortals Wayne Bennett and Laura Geitz spoke at the opening and then the lunch.
Perry has been president from when the museum was opened and sports stars from the area started being inducted to the Hall of Fame.
Museum treasurer Rod Kelly said Perry’s passion and commitment had created an enduring legacy, preservation and celebration of the sporting achievements and heroes of Allora and district for generations to come.
Australian Netball Hall of Fame member Laura Geitz paid tribute to the committee and Perry who had been relentless in so many ways to bring a community together.
Museum immortal Wayne Bennett said there was nothing more important to him than Allora. “So many people were good to me and my family,” he said.
“Throughout my life, I never wanted to let my Mum down or Allora down.”
There was no junior rugby league in those days and he played under-18s at the age of 14.
“As a coach, I want to make a difference in the lives of young men,” he said.
Mayor Melissa Hamilton said Work for Queensland funding helped develop the new library which opened up space for the museum.
“We now have Olympic Pathways Grants available to help young people with travel costs to championships,” she said.
Perry read out a list of major donors to the extensions to the museum. He told the crowd about the job that was done and added the word “free” at the end.
Support came from individuals as far away as North Queensland and businesses in Allora, Warwick and Toowoomba. The Queensland Rugby League made a substantial commitment to the museum. Toowoomba NRL Bid head Mark Mason and former Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin also spoke at the lunch.
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