John McVeigh (Groom, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak of a beloved son of Toowoomba, a great Australian and, above all else, a devoted family man. I refer to John 'Cracka' McDonald.

John recently retired after 16 years as President of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland in Toowoomba, the oldest show society in the state. The Toowoomba Royal Show is the longest running. I was among those privileged to be at the retirement dinner for John and his lovely wife, Joan, just a few weeks ago. As its second-longest-serving president John has done the society and the Darling Downs proud.

John has also enjoyed an impressive career as an athlete and a Rugby League international—as a professional runner; as a player in 13 tests for Australia, nine games for Queensland, three games for New South Wales, 66 games for Manly; as a player with the Toowoomba Valleys club and captain-coach of the Toowoomba side; as chairman of the QRL and ARL; and, of course, as the successful coach of the Queensland Maroons first State of Origin team in 1980.

To cap it all off, Cracker Print & Paper, led by John and Joan; their son, Geoff; and his wife, Lisa, was named a Hall of Fame Inductee at the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce 2016 Heritage Bank Business Excellence Awards 10 days ago.

Congratulations, John and Joan and your wonderful family. John 'Cracka' McDonald—a true living legend, a great son of Toowoomba, and someone our community is proud to recognise as a friend to all.