It will be a proud day for Helen Walters of Avoca Beach on December 3, when she sees her father Ken Ross posthumously inducted into the AusCycling Hall of Fame.
One of the Central Coast’s least known sporting heroes, Ken Ross was a professional cyclist between 1917 and 1937 including 18 months riding in Europe (1921/22).
He was a contemporary of Sir Hubert Opperman (arguably Australia’s greatest cyclist) and competed against him many times as well as Australia’s own World Champion and Ken’s idol Bob Spears.
Throughout his career, Ken rode with and against nearly all of the world’s best cyclists.
As a 16-year-old lad growing up in the Parramatta district, he was persuaded to ride in a novice race which he duly won.
This was enough to convince him to take the sport seriously and he joined the Central Cumberland League Bicycle Club.
Ken in his first year of racing with the Central Cumberland League Bicycle Club as a 17-year-old in 1917
Ken was contracted to race in the 1919/20 track season in Sydney and had his first taste of international competition against several of the best wheelmen in the world who were visiting to race in the carnival series.
Gaining further experience during the following track season, and with some good results to his credit, Ken was persuaded to travel to Europe to race.
He would be gone for a little over 18 months but would make a name for himself riding against some of the giants of European and world cycling.
Ken returned home for the 1923/24 Sydney track season but was largely absent from the 1924 road race season.
In 1925, he and his wife Elsie moved from Auburn to Green Point where they purchased a property (Ferndale) and set about establishing a flourishing orchard.
Ken continued his professional career whilst also managing the orchard and other farms he acquired in the district.
Balancing his cycling career with a quieter life as an orchardist arguably inhibited his potential to achieve even greater success as a rider, but he promoted track carnivals and road races in NSW and Victoria for the next 13 years.
Ken (tended by Ray Crome) taking on a few of Europe’s best in Marcel Berthet and Emile Aerts
The curtain was effectively brought down on his career when he suffered a serious injury in October 1934 when he was hit by a car at Gundagai whilst riding to Melbourne for the Centenary 1000.
Around 1948, Ken and Elsie moved with daughters Joan and Helen from Ferndale to a beachfront property at nearby Avoca Beach.
They became popular and well-respected residents and active members of various community organisations.
Ken was Vice-President of the Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club and became the Club’s fourth Life Member.
He was also involved in the local Progress Association.
Elsie was the first Life Member of the Avoca Beach Branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) and was also involved in the local Lantern Club.
Ken suffered a heart attack and passed away in 1974, aged 73 years.
Elsie passed away in 1993, aged 89.
The park and children’s playground located behind the Avoca Beach Surf Club is named Ross Park in recognition of their financial support for establishing the playground as well as their valuable contributions to the Avoca Beach community.
Ken Ross
Daughter Helen Walters said she would be proud and privileged to attend the induction on December 3, along with four of Ken’s grandchildren and four of his great grandchildren.
“By the time I came along, Dad’s riding career was over and he talked very little of it,” she said.
“I do remember that he rode from Green Point to Somersby every day on steep roads when I was young.
“My sister and I did visit France some years ago to trace where he had ridden.
“He was a very humble man but this honour is well-earned and he would have been very proud.
“My son Mark has really delved into the history and we have found out some things we never knew.”
Ken will be only the 7th Wheelman from the pre-WWII era to be inducted into the AusCycling Hall of Fame, recognising him as among the best of the best of Australia’s cycling champions.
Terry Collins