Bowen immortalised
GORDONVALE may be erecting a sign to acknowledge their home grown football star, but Cape York community Hope Vale are going one better. The birthplace of the North Queensland Cowboys and Maroons star Matty Bowen will immortalise the champion fullback with a life-size statue that will be located outside a multi-purpose sports stadium which will also carry his name.
And Mayor Greg McLean said they would do similar for any other local who played in the National Rugby League, which includes Bowen’s cousin Brenton and nephew Javid.
The call comes the day after the Cairns Regional Council approved plans to erect a sign outside Gordonvale acknowledging it as the home of Gold Coast Titans and Queensland player Nate Myles.
Mr McLean said other Far North towns should follow suit and Bowen would be a long-term hero in their community.
‘‘He’s a great role model for everyone across Australia,’’ Mr McLean said. ‘‘We thought of doing it (a sign) in the past, but we have a great big sporting complex built built here; a multi-purpose centre, and that name of that centre is the Matty Bowen Sporting Complex.’’
Herberton councillor Shaaron Linwood jumped on the idea and said she would be willing to canvas opinion in the Tableland town on whether a sign acknowledging it as the home of Cowboys player Dallas Johnson.
‘‘Maybe that’s something that we should try to progress in the town,’’ she said.
‘‘I’d be happy to take it to the community to see if we could progress something.’’
Innisfail already pays homage to its local stars Billy Slater and Ty Williams with a sign at the entrance to the town.