Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has awarded the Keys to the City to local golfing champion Cameron Smith, who will become the award’s 52nd known recipient.
Cr Schrinner said Cam was award Brisbane’s highest honour following his heroic victory at the 2022 British Open in front of record crowds.
“Cameron Smith is a local hero to golfers of all ages following his historic win at the British Open in July,” he said.
“His final round 64 at the famous St Andrews course had fans around the world on the edge of their seats and showed real nerves of steel.
“Cam joins a prestigious list of other local sporting greats to be awarded with Brisbane’s Keys to the City, including netballer Vicki Wilson, boxer Jeff Horn, rugby league legend Darren Lockyer, tennis great Pat Rafter and Olympic gold winner Steven Bradbury.”
Cr Schrinner said Cam has remained a member of the highly-regarded Royal Queensland (RQ) golf course at Eagle Farm for the past 12 years while conquering the golfing world.
“It was right here at Royal Queensland that Cameron’s career took off and he turned pro,’ he said. “This same golf course will also host the Olympic golf competition in 2032. To have a champion like Cameron call this course home is a real credit to Royal Queensland and will be part of the club’s legacy forever more.
“I’m sure Cameron’s win will have inspired the next generation of local golfing talent who now can now dream of representing Australia at home during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
PGA of Australia Chief Executive Gavin Kirkman said Brisbane was buzzing since Cameron touched down ahead of the Australian PGA Championship.
“It’s wonderful to have Cam back in his home city and his presence after three years has really created tremendous excitement around the tournament. We’re expecting big crowds this week,” he said.
“Receiving the Keys to the City is a fantastic tribute to Cam, who made his way through from a local Brisbane club and who has never forgotten where he comes from.
“He is a Brisbane boy all the way and I’m pleased for him that he’s been awarded something that he will remember forever.”
In addition to winning the oldest golf tournament in the world, The British Open, in July this year, Cam has also won the 2020 Sony Open and 2021 Zurich Classic of New Orleans and competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games.
Back on home soil for the first time in three years for the Australian PGA Championship, Cameron Smith said it was an honour to receive the Keys to the City.
“This is a special moment for me as Brisbane is home, it’s where it all began and where my career took shape,” he said.
“I was just a boy with a big dream, and I hope that will inspire the next generation of local golfers to have a go.
“It’s been an unbelievable year and to be coming home to play in front of a hometown crowd and to receive this honour is the cherry on the cake.”
The Keys to the City are awarded to acknowledge the achievement or contribution of an individual or organisation in furthering the ideals of the city.
Dating back to medieval times when cities were enclosed by walls, the symbolic gesture can be performed to recognise outstanding achievement in sport, community, or humanitarian work by a Brisbane resident at an international or national level.
Known recipients of Keys to the City of Brisbane:
1. Mr Keith Payne – 24 September 1969
2. Dame Joan Sutherland 1983
3. Brisbane Bullets – 1985
4. The Bee Gees – 1989
5. The Brisbane Broncos – 30 September 1992
6. Mr Leroy Loggins – 1992
7. Her Excellency Leneen Forde AC – 24 June 1997
8. Savage Garden – 6 February 1998
9. Uncle Herb Bligh – 12 February 1998
10. Dr Clem & Mrs Sylvia Jones – 19 February 1998
11. Mr Pat Rafter – 18 December 1998
12. Mr Mick Doohan – 18 December 1998
13. Ms Vicki Wilson OAM – 5 October 1999
14. Australian Wallabies – 19 November 1999
15. Major General Peter Cosgrove – 16 March 2000
16. Queensland Bulls – 27 March 2000
17. Brisbane Lions – 1 October 2001
18. Mr Steven Bradbury – 21 March 2002
19. Powderfinger – 29 November 2003
20. 2004 Qld Olympic Athletes – 3 September 2004
21. 2006 Qld Commonwealth Games Team – 29 March 2006
22. 2006 Qld Winter Olympic Athletes – 29 March 2006
23. Mr John Knox – 8 November 2006
24. Scouting Queensland – 4 August 2007
25. The Very Reverend Father Gregory Sakellariou MBE – 31March 2008
26. Queensland Police Pipes & Drums – 23 August 2008
27. QLD Members of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team – 19 September 2008
28. QLD Members of the 2008 Australian Paralympic Team – 29 September 2008
29. Mr Leigh Matthews – 24 November 2008
30. Ms Jude Munro AO – 10 June 2010
31. Girl Guides Queensland – 11 November 2010
32. Brisbane Roar – 15 March 2011
33. Firebirds Queensland Netball Team – 25 May 2011
34. St George Queensland Reds – 11 July 2011
35. Mr Darren Lockyer – 4 September 2011
36. 2012 Olympic Team – 24 August 2012
37. 2012 Paralympic Team – 14 September 2012
38. Brisbane Heat – 22 January 2013
39. Queensland Police Service – 28 February 2014
40. Brisbane Bandits – 16 February 2016
41. 2016 Olympic Team – 2 September 2016
42. 2016 Paralympic Team – 11 October 2016
43. Mr Jeff Horn – 6 July 2017
44. 2018 Australian Commonwealth Games Team – 27 April 2018
45. Women’s Brisbane Broncos – 5 October 2018
46. Women’s Brisbane Heat – 6 February 2019
47. Red Frogs – 13 December 2019
48. Bushfire Relief Heroes – 7 March 2020
49. Women’s Brisbane Lions – 24 April 2021
50. Australian Olympic Team – October 2021
51. Australian Paralympic Team – October 2021.
