Hall of fame

The Hall of Fame celebrates outstanding achievement and contribution of individuals from all spheres of the community who have made a difference in diverse fields and areas of endeavour.

To be eligible, nominees must have a strong association with the Maitland local government area, have made a significant contribution to their field of endeavour and be a source of civic pride and inspiration. Selection criteria is outlined in the Hall of Fame Policy and nominations may be made online.

Hall of Fame Nominations

Nominations are open and applicants must complete the online nomination form and attach any supporting documentation.

Start nomination

Hall of Fame Committee Community Representative Nominations

Council is also inviting expressions of interest for community representatives to join the Hall of Fame Committee. The Hall of Fame Committee is responsible for assessment of nominations and recommendation of Hall of Fame inductees for endorsement by Council. The Community Representative Nomination form can be completed online and nominations for this will be open until Friday 1 March 2019.

For further information call our Citizen Services Centre on 02 4934 9700 or email info@maitland.nsw.gov.au.

Hall of Fame Inductees

Name	Photo	Biography
Adams, Don		Don ‘Bandy’ Adams was born in Maitland and was a successful international rugby league player of the 1950’s and one of Maitland Pickers top 20 players of all time, playing 191 games for the club. Don played three games for NSW Country First in 1955, 1956 and 1958 scoring two tries. He also played seven games for NSW Firsts in 1955 and 1956, scoring nine tries, and five games for Australia in 1958 scoring five tries. Field of endeavour: Sports Lifespan:
Arnott, William		Born in Scotland, William Arnott was a biscuit manufacturer who worked in Morpeth for 15 years as a baker with his brother David. He then established a bakery in Newcastle (1876) and soon had factories in Sydney (1894) and Homebush (1908). William retired in 1899 and his family continued the business and Arnott’s remains a popular and successful household name. William was active with philanthropic work and valued hard work, integrity and quality. Field of endeavour: Business and public service Lifespan: 1827 - 1901
Baker, Barrie		Barrie Baker has lived in Maitland for many years and is an accomplished golf champion. He was the 1964 NSW Amateur Golf Champion and the Australian Amateur Golf Champion. Also in 1964, he represented Australia at the Trans-Tasman Cup and World Amateur Golf Team Championships. In 1997 he was the Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Golf Champion. Locally, Barrie Baker was the Maitland Golf Club A Grade Golf Champion from 1954 to 1960 and the Hunter River District A Grade Golf Champion in 1957 and 1959. Field of endeavour: Sports Lifespan: 1938 -
Barton, Garry		Garry Barton, who has spent his whole life in Maitland, was one of the world’s most elite barefoot water skiers when he competed. He was Australian Open Men’s Champion four times and went on to coach the Australian Barefoot Water Ski Team in the 1980s. Garry also designed skiing equipment, including a brand new style of wetsuit. Garry was a great cyclist too, and has a NSW Country Cycle Championship to his name. Garry was also named Maitland Mercury Sportsman of the decade for 1970 to 1979. Field of endeavour: Sports Lifespan: 1944 -
Bell AO OBE, John		Born and educated in Maitland, John Bell has become an established actor, director and theatre manager. He was the co-founder of Nimrod Theatre Company and Founder of Bell Shakespeare Company. He was named a National Trust Living Treasure in 1997, won a Helpmann Award for Best Actor in 2002 and won the JC Williamson Award (2009). He is also an Officer of the Order of Australia (2009), Member of the Order of Australia (1987) and an Order of the British Empire (1978). Field of endeavour: Arts, theatre and literature Lifespan: 1940 -
Blunden, Dennis		Originally from Queensland, Dennis Blunden lived in Maitland for 39 years. He became one of Australia’s premier cyclists and won club, state and Australian titles. He improved with age, won world titles as a veteran and was named NSW Veteran Cyclist of the Year. Dennis was a level one coach and was president of Newcastle Velodrome Trust for 10 years. He was Maitland Senior Sportsman of the Year in 2006 and Newcastle Senior Sportsman of the Year in 2007. Field of endeavour: Arts, theatre and literature Lifespan: 1936 - 2009
Brunker, James Dixon		Born in Port Macquarie, James Brunker was in Maitland for 54 years and was a formative businessman and politician. He founded the Hunter River Famers Association in 1882, was the Director of the Mutual Life Assurance Corporation, was a member of the East Maitland Municipal Council and was Secretary for Lands in 1888. James was also responsible for the Crown Lands Act in 1889, was a Member of the Federation Convention (1897-1898) and was on the Legislative Council between 1905 and 1907. Field of endeavour: Business and public service Lifespan: 1832 - 1910
Cracknell, Ruth		Ruth Cracknell spent her first four years in Maitland before going on to become a renowned actress and author. She has won four Logie Awards and was named a National Trust Living Treasure in 1998 when she also became a Member of the Order of Australia. In 2001 Ruth received the JC Williamson Award for work in live theatre. Her most endearing legacy is as Maggie Beare in the ABC’s Mother and Son. Field of endeavour: Arts, theatre and literature Lifespan: 1925 - 2002
D'Ombrain AM, Athel		A man of many talents, Athel D’Ombrain was a photographer, optician, naturalist, author, cricketer, pioneer angler, game fisherman and historian. He lived in Maitland for 66 years and wrote 995 articles for the Newcastle Herald. In 1938 he devised the tag and release concept for big game fish and he worked hard on protecting the flora and fauna of Port Stephens. He was also awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to photography and the study of nature. Field of endeavour: Research and education Lifespan: 1901 - 1985
Darcy, James Les		Born in Woodville, boxing champion Les Darcy lived in Maitland for 21 years. He was the Australian World Middleweight champion and also claimed the Australian Heavyweight title in 1916. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993 and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998. Five years later he was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame. He is remembered as one of the most gifted Australians ever to enter the ring. Field of endeavour: Sports Lifespan: 1895 - 1917