The North Queensland Sports Foundation has unveiled it’s plans for a physical home for the North Queensland Sports Hall of Fame in Townsville, 13 years after it’s establishment.
In front of an invited intimate crowd of 100 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium – a mix of local government, sportspeople and Townsville’s business community – NQSF’s Chief Executive Officer Alexander J. Fisher unveiled images of the proposed installation on site at QCBS, using the future Olympic Venue to both recognise and inspire the next generation of North Queenslanders.
“In this room I’m surrounded by sporting legends that shaped the culture I grew up in – and it’s important that we continue to preserve those stories and achievements publicly for the next generation”, announced Mr Fisher.
The evening served as a celebration and induction of 8 further members into the NQ Sports Hall of Fame, with 5 members of the class of 2025 inductees present in Natalie Cook, Gene Miles, Glenn Buchanan, Vern Daisy and Sam Thaiday, with family and representatives of Gorden Tallis, Mitchell Johnson, the late Jim Paterson attending – Tallis and Johnson suppling video acceptance speeches.
In an incredibly heartfelt moment, Country Rugby League icon Vern Daisy’s family kept his induction a secret from him until he arrived at the venue, with his acceptance speech bringing the room to tears to conclude the evening.
The NQSF & QCBS expect an installation to be completed on-site in 2026.
Full List of Inductees:
Class of 2025:
- Natalie Cook
- Sam Thaiday
- Gorden Tallis
- Jim Paterson
- Vern Daisy
- Gene Miles
- Mitchell Johnson
- Glenn Buchanan
Previous Inductees 2013-2024
- Brad Beven
- Ashleigh Stebbings
- Pat Rafter
- Cathy Freeman
- Jon Sieben
- Laurie Lawrence
- Tom Gorman
- Arch Foley
- George Moore
- Tracey Belbin
- Karrie Webb
The North Queensland Sports Foundation was established in 1983 as a collaboration of all of the Local Government Councils across North Queensland, creating the North Queensland Games in 1984, the NQ Sportstar Awards in 1991 and the Hall of Fame in 2013. Contact Alexander at admin@nqsports.com.au for more.
