Freestyle superstar and Crusty Demon, Blake ‰Û÷Bilko‰Ûª Williams, was inducted into Frankston City‰Ûªs Hall of Fame at a ceremony last night (29 September) at the Frankston Arts Centre.
Frankston City‰Ûªs Hall of Fame recognises individuals with a strong link to Frankston City who have made a lasting and significant impact in their chosen field.
As a teenager Blake ‰Û÷Bilko‰Ûª Williams went from racing dirt bikes around the backyard and studying at Frankston High School to Motocross racing and Freestyle (FMX) full-time. He joined world renowned Crusty Demons, who tour their high action stunt show all over Australia and around the world.
‰Û÷Bilko‰Ûª made history at the 2009 X games in Los Angeles (the action sport equivalent of the Olympics) when he became the first international rider to win gold in Freestyle MX, while he also won a silver medal in the Best Trick category. After his history making ride he was voted by his peers as the Transworld Magazines World‰Ûªs Best FMX Rider.
In 2009, Bilko was named the Lusk Foundation Rider of the Year, and in 2010 he toured with Travis Pastanas Nitro Circus.
The extreme sport has come with its fair share of injuries including 14 surgeries, 22 broken bones and four knee reconstructions.
When at the family home Bilko has a very supportive family, and enjoys practicing his jumps and tricks in the paddock next to the house. Bilko‰Ûªs advice to other young people is to believe in yourself and remember you can do anything you want if you just put your mind to it.
Also honoured in this year‰Ûªs Frankston City Hall of Fame were:
åá Artist ‰ÛÒ Rick Amor
åá Former Prime Minister ‰ÛÒ Lord Stanley Melbourne Bruce
åá Paralympian ‰ÛÒ Ellie Cole
åá Olympian ‰ÛÒ Debbie Flintoff-King OAM
åá Micorsurgeon ‰ÛÒ Mr Graeme Miller BMBS
åá Channel 7 newsreader ‰ÛÒ Peter Mitchell
They join the ranks of past inductees including: Graham Kennedy AO, Dr Ruth Bishop AO, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, John Famechon, Robert Harvey, Sir Daryl and Lady Joan Lindsay, Bill Pratt AM, Don Charlwood AM, Sir Laurence Hartnett, Nevil Shute Norway, Desmond Piper, Dame Beryl Beaurepaire AC, Mal Walden, Jackie Woodburne and Harry Wragge AM.
