Naming of Oonoonba oval to honour former councillor
Date published: 23 July 2019
A long serving former councillor and champion of the city’s southside will have an oval named in his honour.
The Townsville City Council today approved the naming of an oval at Oonoonba Park after the late Noel Wilson.
Mr Wilson served as a councillor from 1979 until his retirement in 2000 and was a fierce fighter for Oonoonba and surrounding suburbs.
He was first elected as part of mayor Perc Tucker’s team known as Tucker’s 10 and was a major contributor to the city’s progress on council committees, advisory committees, statutory bodies and community organisations.
Mr Wilson, who passed away in 2011, was also a driving force behind the North Queensland Sports Foundation and the NQ Games which were staged across the northern region.
Deputy Mayor Cr Les Walker said the naming of the oval in Mr Wilson’s honour was a fitting tribute.
“The naming of the oval after Noel is a mark of respect for a man who worked hard for the community of the southside over more than two decades,” Cr Walker said.
“Everyone in Oonoonba knew Noel and his family and the work he did to improve facilities for the local residents.
“I grew up in Oonoonba and saw Noel get our local roads sealed shoulder to shoulder, and kerbing for the first time, and upgrades of the park and the building of the community centre.
“I know Noel’s family will be very proud to have the local oval named in his honour, just as I am to be the councillor . As a local I was proud to follow in Noel’s footsteps as the councillor representing the local area.”
Cr Walker said signage would be erected in the park, with a history of Mr Wilson’s service to the local community.
