It was 50 years ago when Olympic canoeist John Southwood’s feats were first recognised in his home town.
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He became the first winner of the Orange Sportsperson of the Year award.
In the years that followed a wide range of stars who achieved on national and international sporting stages were recognised.
But the board on which their famous names were listed was set for a risky future.
After being on show at the Hotel Canobolas the then-owners decided on renovations and the board was destined for the scrap heap.
Darcy’s Old Wares shop owner Kerry Condon said he was asked if he wanted to buy any of the memorabilia and saw the board.
“This was on the scrap heap to get rid of, $100 I think I paid for it,” he said.
The board was displayed in his Lucknow shop where he received plenty of offers.
“It’s never, ever, been for sale,” he said.
“At least half of the families of the people on the board saw it and wanted to buy it but I wouldn’t sell it.”
Mr Condon said he was “bamboozled” over claims on social media this month the board was for sale.
“I have had hundreds of people wanting to buy it but you can’t sell a part of history,” he said.
Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd said the board would be restored and a second board, covering winners from 1996 onwards would be made, with the two to be displayed in a public area at the council offices.
He said the first winner, John Southwood, was possibly the most famous name on the board.
“It was such a big thing in Orange at the time,” he said.
“A carpenter, he had to train on Lake Canobolas and his smallest event was 5000 metres.
“He would have had to go up and back 10 times.”
Council sporting and recreation committee chair Cr Jason Hamling said it showed Orange’s rich sporting heritage.
“There are a lot of representatives from different sports. A lot of them are still in Orange,” he said.
Mr Condon also has another piece of Orange sporting memorabilia he is considering donating to council – an Orange CYMS rugby league blazer dating from 1958.
This year’s winner of the sportsperson of the year award was tenpin bowling star Jason Belmonte.
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
