Heroes of past generations need today’s generation, and those of the future, to keep their story alive.

The little country town of Rochester, in Victoria, honours one of yesterday’s heroes, Sir Hubert Opperman (Oppy), who was born here in 1904.

This amazing man was a world champion cyclist who, in 1931, won a 1265km road race from Paris to Brest and return to Paris.

He also won the 1928 Bol D’or 24 hour classic in Paris …. wait for it …. on a borrowed bike after his own bike was sabotaged!

The bronze sculpture in Rochester shows Oppy winning that race and the man himself was on hand to officially unveil it in 1994.

For an interesting read Museum Victoria has more details about Oppy’s cycling and political achievements, and they also shared this photo of him as a strapping 17 year old.

Who will remember him in years to come? Perhaps only those who come across his statue, like I did, and wonder what it’s all about.