Jean-Pierre Derouault might not have had the chance to meet his hero while he was still alive, but seeing Jack Findlay’s statue is something he won’t forget.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
How far would you travel to meet your hero?
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In Jean-Pierre Derouault’s case, almost 17,000km.
Mr Derouault travelled from France to Mooroopna to see the statue and birthplace of his racing hero, Jack Findlay.
Noel Heenan, who was part of the committee that formed to build the statue, said he was shocked when he received a call from Mr Derouault with the Frenchman standing outside his Mooroopna panel shop.
“I’ve never met him before in my life,” Mr Heenan said.
“His whole aim was to come to Mooroopna to where Jack was born and see his statue.
“He arrived in town, hugged Jack’s statue and cried.”
Jack Findlay was an Australian professional Grand Prix motorcycle racer. Born in Mooroopna, he raced for 20 years internationally, settling in France, where he still has a big fan base.
“He was emailing his mates, sending photos back (of the statue) and they’re saying ‘you’re so lucky to see Jack’s statue’,” Mr Heenan said.
“People don’t realise how popular Jack was in Europe, not only through his riding, but through what he stood for and how he presented himself.”
In 2006, Mr Heenan, Trevor Huggard, Mick Pettifer, Robert McLean and Kevin Simmonds, all big fans of Jack’s, came together to campaign for a statue in Mooroopna in the star’s honour.
“You’ve got to be a world champion to get a statue,” Mr Heenan said.
Jean-Pierre Derouault, Noel Heenan, Rob McLean and Leo Darveniza will always be bonded by their love of Jack Findlay.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Mr Heenan, Mr McLean and Leo Darveniza, another fan of Jack’s, spent three days with Mr Derouault, showing him Jack’s birthplace, where his home used to be and the museum, showing him plenty of memorabilia, before farewelling him on his way to the airport.
“We brought out one of Jack’s old helmets, and he was tearing up with Jack’s helmet in his hands,” Mr Heenan said.
“We were just over the moon that this chap came here to see Jack’s statue.
“We’ve got a lot of pride in it, but for this bloke to just come here to see this statue is amazing.”
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