Quantcast

Hughes honoured with tribute in home town

Important stretch of road near late batsman's home town named The Phillip Hughes Bridge

Phillip Hughes has been honoured with a new bridge near his hometown to be named after the late Australian cricketer.

Hughes, who grew up in Macksville, died in November 2014 after being struck in the neck while batting for South Australia against NSW at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

A new Pacific Highway bridge over the Nambucca River, part of a bypass around Macksville that marks the halfway point between Sydney and Brisbane, will be known as The Phillip Hughes Bridge.

NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said the Hughes family and Nambucca Shire Council supported the decision, as did the local community.

Image Id: BCD9342948744494B0EE266CE4C38A00 Image Caption: The Phillip Hughes Bridge // Twitter - @JasonMorrisonAU

"Phillip Hughes was a role model for young people from the Macksville community as well as the rest of the country for his dedication and determination to succeed," Mrs Pavey said in a statement on Saturday.

"His death had an enormous impact on Australians and cricket fans in particular ... this is a fitting tribute to a fine young local who was taken too soon."

Hundreds of locals walked across the bridge on Saturday ahead of its official opening on Monday, which will be attended by the Hughes family.

A left-handed opening batsman, Hughes played 26 Tests for Australia, making his debut in 2009 at the age of 20.