Cessnock Who's Who
Distinguished and Famous people from Cessnock
Cessnock is a city in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, around 52km west of Newcastle. As a part of the region, Cessnock is known for its wineries, coal mining, and other industries, as well as being home to several famous and distinguished personalities throughout history.
One famous Cessnock native is Stan Coster. He was born in Cessnock in 1930 and began writing and performing country music as a young man. His songs were inspired by his life in the bush and his love for the people and places of Australia. Coster's music is considered a cornerstone of the Australian country music genre, and he was posthumously awarded the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's inaugural Contribution to Country Music Award in 2000.
Another distinguished Cessnock resident is Kristina Keneally. She was born in the United States in 1968, and moved to Australia with her Australian husband in 1994. Keneally is best known for her political career, which began in 2003 when she was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Heffron. In 2009, she became the first woman to serve as Premier of New South Wales, a position she held until 2011. Keneally has also served as the Australian ambassador to the United States, and is currently a Senator in the Australian Parliament.
Cessnock has also been home to several famous athletes, including Danny Buderus. Buderus was born in Cessnock in 1978, and started playing rugby league as a child. He went on to play for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League (NRL) for over a decade, and was named the NRL's hooker of the year four times. Buderus also played for the Australian national team and the New South Wales State of Origin team.
Another famous athlete from Cessnock is Sam Stosur. She was born in 1984 and began playing tennis at a young age. Stosur turned professional in 1999, and has since won many matches and titles. She is perhaps best known for her win at the 2011 US Open, where she defeated Serena Williams in the final. Stosur has also represented Australia in the Olympics and in Fed Cup matches.
In addition to these famous individuals, Cessnock has been home to many others who have made important contributions to their communities, fields, and industries. Their achievements serve as a testament to the diversity, talent, and potential of the people who call Cessnock home.