Ulverstone

Distinguished and Famous people from Ulverstone

🏏 Ben Hilfenhaus

Ulverstone-born Ben Hilfenhaus was working as a bricklayer when his cricket career began to gather pace. On a rookie contract with Tasmania, he took 39 Sheffield Shield wickets in 2005–06, a state record for a debut season, then 60 the following season as Tasmania won the title. He made his Test debut against South Africa in 2009 and became the leading wicket-taker in that year's Ashes series. Injuries and changes in form brought setbacks, but his return against India in 2011–12 produced 27 wickets in Australia's four-nil series victory. His route to international cricket began with a trade alongside his bowling.

🎖️ Frank MacDonald

Frank MacDonald, born at Ulverstone in 1896, became Tasmania's last surviving First World War veteran. Serving with the 40th Battalion, he repaired the signal lines linking headquarters and the trenches, work that could require him to venture into heavy fire. His courage earned the Military Medal. He also served during the Second World War and received France's Legion of Honour in 1998. MacDonald died in 2003 at 107. A Tasmanian student prize bears his name, encouraging young people to research military history and carry the remembrance of wartime experience into another generation.

🎾 Richard Fromberg

Richard Fromberg was born in Ulverstone and went on to compete at all four Grand Slam tournaments. He began playing tennis at ten and reached both the singles and doubles finals at the 1987 Australian Open junior championships. His professional career included representing Australia in Davis Cup competition and reaching Wimbledon's third round in 1994. The ATP's account also records a less formal list of interests: pinball, fishing and golf. Those pursuits sat alongside years of international travel, tour competition and the repeated work of returning to form after injuries, including a broken wrist late in 1998.