Sporting legend and community advocate Ricky Stuart was recognised today by the ACT Government with an Australian Hero Tree Dedication in the Central Valley at the National Arboretum Canberra. Minister Chris Steel MLA, acknowledged Ricky’s tremendous sporting and coaching achievements and his contribution to the local community through the Ricky Stuart Foundation to assist children with autism and their families.
The Australian Hero initiative recognizes professionals and individuals who have distinguished themselves in their field of endeavour, and significantly contributed to Australian society. Ricky Stuart has become the 12th Australian Hero to receive a tree dedication. This resilient Hoop Pine tree can live up to 450 years and grow to 60 metres high - and is the perfect Australian tree to represent recipients of the Australian heroes!
Ricky shot to national prominence at a young age as an international rugby union star with the Wallabies. Switching codes and playing rugby league, Stuart played over 200 games for the Canberra Raiders and won three premierships, played in the State of Origin, and toured Europe with the Kangaroos. Equally impressive has been his coaching career which spans both codes, state and national teams. A proud local and currently Head Coach for the Canberra Raiders, Ricky’s long and successful sporting career started playing with St Edmunds college and the Queanbeyan Whites.
Ricky is equally proud helping local families and community through his Foundation which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and garnered community assistance to help promote early autism diagnosis and support for children and their families, many who struggle daily with autism and other disabilities.
He has been an inspiration for a generation of players and for the wider community. Ricky reflected on the resilience of the hoop pine species and the resilience of the children and adults and families who live with disabilities. Ricky Stuart stated “…we all have resilience, we need resilience in some capacity, to endure life and our hurdles and this is a moment I won’t forget.”
In the Welcome to Country, Ngunnawal elder, Caroline Hughes, honoured Ricky’s achievements, spoke about the significance of the Arboretum to the Ngunnawal people and welcomed Ricky, his family, dignitaries and invitees to country.
You can visit the Australian Hero trees in the Central Valley seven days a week during site opening hours.
