Woodanilling Who's Who
Distinguished and Famous people from Woodanilling
Woodanilling is a small town located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. While it may not be home to many widely recognized individuals, several noteworthy people have ties to this area. Here are a few distinguished individuals associated with Woodanilling:
1. Sir John Forrest
Sir John Forrest (1847–1918) was an influential Australian statesman and explorer, born in Preston Point, near Woodanilling. He served as the first Premier of Western Australia and later became a federal Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios such as Defense and Home Affairs. Forrest played a crucial role in the development of Western Australia and was highly respected for his contributions to public service. He is buried in the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board in Karrakatta, Perth.
2. Alan Collier
Alan Collier (1931–2010) was a renowned Australian rules footballer who hailed from Woodanilling. He began his career with the East Fremantle Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) and went on to become one of the most successful players in the league's history. Collier claimed numerous accolades, including seven WAFL premierships and six Simpson Medals for best-on-ground performances in WAFL Grand Finals.
3. Geoff Marsh
Geoff Marsh, born in Northam but spent much of his childhood in Woodanilling, is a former Australian cricketer and cricket coach. He represented Australia in 50 Test matches as an opening batsman and played a key role in the national team's triumph in the 1987 Cricket World Cup. After retiring, Marsh pursued a successful coaching career, serving as the coach of the Australian national cricket team, as well as coaching various domestic and international teams.
4. Ron Alexander
Ron Alexander, born in Woodanilling in 1946, is a former professional tennis player from Australia. He enjoyed a successful tennis career during the 1960s and 1970s, reaching a career-high singles ranking of World No. 71. Alexander represented Australia in several Davis Cup ties and had victories over top-ranked players throughout his career. Post-retirement, he remained involved in tennis as a coach and administrator.
5. Peter F. Bell
Peter Bell, born in Northam, Western Australia, grew up in Woodanilling and went on to become a highly esteemed Australian rules footballer. Bell played for both North Melbourne Football Club and Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was a three-time AFL Premiership player, two-time All-Australian, and won the Brownlow Medal in 2003, recognizing him as the fairest and best player in the league that year.
While these are just a few notable individuals associated with Woodanilling, the region has surely produced many more talented and commendable citizens, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Western Australia's heritage.
