Australia Day Awards
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RIVERINA sporting legend Barry O'Hagan was lost for words as he proudly contemplated his new place in Wagga's Sporting Hall of Fame on Saturday.
In a remarkable and deserved turnaround, the 2014 Wagga Sporting Hall of Fame Local Legend nominee finally secured his enduring spot in the city's rich and celebrated sporting history.
"I've got there in the end," the softly-spoken cycling identity said.
"As I said last night (Saturday night), I have been through the Hall of Fame and seen the characters and athletes who are in there.
"It's just such an honour to be up there with them."
O'Hagan is a dedicated cyclist and rugby league player, who boasts a cycling career littered with achievements at international and professional level.
Among those stellar, noted accomplishments was his 1960 win in the 3000m LaTrobe Wheel Race in Tasmania.
The race featured the best Australian cyclists of the time and the prizemoney was the equivalent of three years' wages.
Not only did he carve out his own illustrious career, the now respected coach has played an invaluable role in developing countless Wagga athletes aspiring to replicate his success.
O'Hagan was part of a tight-knit committee who re-established the Wagga Cycling Club in 1975 and is president of both the Wagga club and the Tolland cycling club.
"I've just been voted back in as president of both so I've got a bit left in me yet," O'Hagan said yesterday.
Along with O'Hagan, the city celebrated the achievements of 2015 Sporting Hall of Fame inductee and champion soccer player Sally Shipard.
Shipard is Wagga's only home-grown soccer player to go on to represent Australia, making 57 appearances for the Matildas.
She represented Australia at the FIFA World Cup in 2007 and 2011 and experienced the exhilaration of being crowned Asian Champions in 2010.
Sadly, due to an ongoing degenerative condition in her knees, Shipard was forced to retire from the Matildas in 2014.
"I didn't know Sally personally so it was great to talk to her last night," O'Hagan said.
"She is a lovely young lady and she really deserves her place (in the Sporting Hall of Fame)."