A LARGE crowd attended the unveiling of a bronze statue of AFL football great Peter Hudson at Arthur Square in New Norfolk yesterday morning. Surrounded by family and friends, Hudson said it was one of the best days of his life.
He acknowledged the dedication of Nick Cracknell and Leon Kemp to the task, saying they had done a wonderful job against great odds. He thanked the State Government and Hawthorn Football Club for their support.
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Acknowledging the achievements of a community’s high achievers is important so that future generations understand the history of their community.
How those achievements are interpreted and by whom is what will have the most significant impact!
The unveiling of Peter Hudson’s statue yesterday in Arthur Square was a gala event .
I was surprised how many people attended it , given that it was still relatively early in the morning at 10am. Perhaps given that it was only the 1st day of autumn , rather than one of those dank days that only true New Norfolk natives understand ,in the middle of winter when the fog doesn’t lift until after lunch , is why I’d say over 100 people attended.
Peter Hudson seemed over the moon with the whole event and when he mentioned the fact that he believed his parents were watching on from above ( having both passed on not long ago in their 93rd years ) I thought he was going to shed a tear . He kept it together though and I’m not ashamed to admit that I properly teared up at that special moment . Yes , even AFL loving boof heads like myself are capable of experiencing normal human emotions.
Now let’s see that lovely spacious park be populated with other memorials for New Norfolk’s finest servants like Dr Peters et al .
No shame in starting with “Huddo” though . And as Jeff Kennett said , thank heavens Peter Hudson was their alive and kicking to see his own statue unveiled .So often we wait for people to pass over before we fete their achievements .
Kennett, Barnett, Shaw.
Looks like a Liberal election launch.