Ms Anna Meares OAM

Anna Meares was a cycling phenomenon. An 11-time world champion and the most decorated female track cyclist of all time, she sits comfortably alongside any women in any sport as a genuine world superstar.

A dual Olympic gold medalist and a six-time medallist overall in four disciplines, she was the first Australian in any sport to win individual medals in four consecutive Olympics after riding in Athens, Beijing, London and Rio, where she was Australian team captain and flag bearer. 

But it wasn't all about class. She was gold medallist for courage too. Seven months out from the 2008 Olympics she crashed at 65 km/hr and broke her neck. She was back on the bike 10 days later on route to a very special silver medal in Beijing.

Born in Blackwater, she followed sister Kerrier into cycling while living in the small coal-mining town of Middlemount, driving two hours to the nearest cycling track in Mackay to begin a 24-year journey that has led to the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.