The Otways Who's Who
Distinguished and Famous people from The Otways
1. Sir Isaac Isaacs (1855-1948)
Sir Isaac Isaacs was an Australian politician and judge who became the first Australian-born Governor-General of Australia. He was born in the Otways region, in the town of Tower Hill. Isaacs was instrumental in the drafting of the Australian Constitution and played a crucial role in the development of Australia's legal system.
2. Simon Madden (born 1957)
Simon Madden is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was born in Apollo Bay, a coastal town located within the Otways region. Madden is considered one of Essendon's greatest players and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
3. Del Kathryn Barton (born 1972)
Del Kathryn Barton is an Australian artist known for her intricate and colorful works. She was born in Sydney but spent much of her childhood in the Otways region. Barton has received numerous accolades for her artwork, including the Archibald Prize, Australia's most prestigious portraiture award, which she won in 2008 and 2013.
4. Richard Flanagan (born 1961)
Richard Flanagan is an acclaimed Australian author who was born in Longford, Tasmania. Although not originally from the Otways region, Flanagan lived there for a significant period of his life and drew inspiration from the area for some of his works. He won the Man Booker Prize in 2014 for his novel "The Narrow Road to the Deep North," which explores the experiences of Australian prisoners of war during World War II.
5. Mary MacKillop (1842-1909)
Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross, was an Australian nun who dedicated her life to education and social work. While she was born in Fitzroy, Victoria, MacKillop's maternal family was from the Otways region, and she spent some of her early years in and around Portland. In 2010, MacKillop became Australia's first saint.
6. John Burls (born 1966)
John Burls is an Australian paralympian and wheelchair basketball player. He was born in Colac, a town located near the Otways region. Burls has represented Australia in multiple Paralympic Games, winning silver and bronze medals. He has also been actively involved in promoting disability awareness and inclusion.
