The Wheatbelt Who's Who
Distinguished and Famous people from The Wheatbelt
1. Heath Ledger
Award-winning actor Heath Ledger was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Western Australia. Although he was born in Perth, Ledger spent his childhood in the Wheatbelt region. He gained international fame for his roles in movies such as "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Dark Knight." Ledger received numerous awards throughout his career and tragically passed away on January 22, 2008, at the age of 28.
2. Michael Klinger
Michael Klinger, born on July 4, 1980, in Perth, is a former professional cricketer who represented Western Australia and Australia in domestic and international cricket. Klinger grew up in the Wheatbelt region and made a significant contribution to Western Australian cricket. He played for various teams in domestic cricket and was known for his excellent batting skills.
3. John Williamson
John Williamson is an Australian country music singer-songwriter who was born on November 1, 1945, in Quambatook, Victoria. However, he spent a significant part of his childhood in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Williamson has released numerous albums and is known for his iconic songs such as "True Blue" and "Raining on the Rock." He has won several awards for his contributions to the Australian music industry.
4. Kim Hughes
Kim Hughes, born on January 26, 1954, in Subiaco, Western Australia, is a former cricketer who captained the Australian cricket team from 1979 to 1984. While not directly born in the Wheatbelt region, Hughes spent a considerable portion of his childhood in Pingelly, a town in the Wheatbelt. He played a significant role in Australian cricket during the 1980s and represented Western Australia in domestic cricket.
5. Bon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott, born on July 9, 1946, in Kirriemuir, Scotland, was the lead vocalist of the rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. Scott moved to Western Australia with his family when he was six years old and spent his early years in Fremantle, within the Wheatbelt region. He contributed to the success of AC/DC with hit songs such as "Highway to Hell" and "Back in Black."
6. Jessica Marais
Jessica Marais, born on January 29, 1985, in Johannesburg, South Africa, is an Australian actress known for her notable roles in television dramas such as "Packed to the Rafters" and "Love Child." Marais grew up in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, and her family later moved to Perth. She has received numerous awards and nominations for her outstanding performances in the entertainment industry.
7. Ben Cousins
Ben Cousins, born on June 30, 1978, in Geelong, Victoria, is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles and Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Cousins spent his childhood in the Wheatbelt region before his family moved to Perth. He had a successful football career, winning the prestigious Brownlow Medal in 2005.
8. Michelle Cowan
Michelle Cowan is the first female coach in the history of the West Australian Football League (WAFL). Born in 1980, she grew up in the Wheatbelt region and has played a significant role in promoting women's football. Cowan has been involved in coaching and development programs for both men's and women's Australian rules football, including her role as the inaugural coach of the Fremantle Dockers women's team in the AFL Women's league.
