AUSTRALIAN Olympic representative Kate Smyth and pistol shooter Dean Brus were inducted into Orange’s Sporting Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Smyth started running when she was a child in Orange and gradually worked her way up the representative ladder.

Next month she will represent Australia at the Beijing Olympics in the women’s marathon.

Smyth was training in America and couldn’t be at the awards but her parents, David and Jan Harris, accepted the award on her behalf.

“She’s very proud to be a part of the hall of fame,” Jan said.

“She’s especially proud to be representing Orange and her country at the Olympics.”

Smyth finished second at the Nagano International Marathon earlier this year and her A qualifying time helped her to earn a place in the Australian Olympic team.

“We’re very excited for her to be realising her dream,” Smyth’s mother said.

Brus was surprised to be inducted into the hall of fame.

The pistol shooter knew he had been nominated but didn’t expect both he and Smyth to be inducted.

“I think it’s great,” Brus said.

“I guess being inducted into the hall of fame is a reflection of what you’ve achieved over a period of time.

“It’s wonderful.”

Brus has had great success in pistol shooting and is a multiple state and national champion, as well as holding a number of records at both levels.

His shooting career took another leap forward in 2007 when he represented Australia at the World Association 1500 World Championships.

Brus won medals in the teams event after going into the tournament ranked number one in the world.

He has already been selected to represent Australia at this year’s Tirol WA1500 Match Open in Austria, along with fellow Orange shooter David Oates.

They are expected to have a solid preparation for the international event, with the NSW and Victorian state championships being held in the coming months.

Brus said he is hoping for a top 10 finish when he competes in the international event in October.