![Coming soon: The Indonesian-made ferries, including the as yet unmarked Lauren Jackson, are unloaded in Newcastle earlier this month. Picture: NEWCASTLE HERALD Coming soon: The Indonesian-made ferries, including the as yet unmarked Lauren Jackson, are unloaded in Newcastle earlier this month. Picture: NEWCASTLE HERALD](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/a96d8201-525e-453e-9eae-cbef8155edcc.jpeg/r0_250_4896_3264_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
LAUREN Jackson has long been a drawcard on land and next year her name will be an attraction on water.
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A Sydney Harbour ferry is being named Lauren Jackson and it is now undergoing a final fit out and sea trails in Newcastle.
The Albury basketball great was stunned by the tribute which sees her join other NSW sporting champions, such as Betty Cuthbert and Evonne Goolagong, in having a personal vessel.
"It's a great honour, it's definitely a legacy piece, no doubt about it," Jackson said.
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"My kids and my kids' kids will be able to ride on the ferry which is a really lovely thing."
Jackson said her dad's family came from the Sydney suburb of Bankstown and a ferry ride was a visit ritual.
![Big thrill: Lauren Jackson with son Lenny in September. She is rapt he will have the opportunity to ride a ferry that will be named in her honour. Picture: JAMES WILTSHIRE Big thrill: Lauren Jackson with son Lenny in September. She is rapt he will have the opportunity to ride a ferry that will be named in her honour. Picture: JAMES WILTSHIRE](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/50dc9ead-98f7-43e0-877d-0b0c3ef8758e.jpg/r0_226_4417_2906_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We used to catch a train to Circular Quay and go on the ferry and go over to Manly and Double Bay," Jackson said.
"We went out to Double Bay a fair bit and spent time there."
It is unclear when the ferries will officially began cruising the harbour with Transport for NSW unable to give a launch date.
Other notables to be saluted with their names on the new river class vessels are artist Margaret Olley, novelist Ruth Park, netballer Liz Ellis and wheelchair track and road racer Kurt Fearnley.