Baw Baw Who's Who
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Distinguished and Famous people from Baw Baw
Baw Baw's sporting history includes a world boxing champion from Jacksons Track and an Olympic cyclist born in Warragul. Both are recognised on the shire's Sporting Walk of Fame.
🥊 Lionel Rose
Lionel Rose grew up at Jacksons Track and learned boxing from his father before receiving further training in Warragul. He turned professional in 1964 and defeated Fighting Harada in Tokyo in 1968 to become world bantamweight champion. That year he became the first Indigenous Australian named Australian of the Year. Music was another part of his life, alongside the sport that brought him international attention. His story links local family and training relationships with a moment of major national significance.
🚴 Kathy Watt
Warragul-born Kathy Watt won road-race gold and individual-pursuit silver at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She had been a successful distance runner before tendon problems prompted a change of sport. Her cycling achievements spanned road and track, and she returned to Olympic competition in Atlanta in 1996. At Barcelona, an attack late in the road race put her ahead of the favourites and she stayed there. Baw Baw's Sporting Walk of Fame inducted her in 2000.
