Today Webber returns to where it all began the town he was raised in by parents Alan and Diane before his relocation to Europe in pursuit of an F1 dream. Queanbeyan will honour the two-time GP winner this afternoon with a street parade and civic reception, recognising his breakthrough season behind the wheel last year.

The parade starts at 12.30pm and will travel over the Queanbeyan Bridge, up Monaro Street and finish just outside the council offices on Crawford Street.

Speaking to The Canberra Times yesterday, Webber said the civic reception wasn't just about him.

''It's a special day for me and it's nice to be recognised for what you do overseas,'' Webber said.

''But I feel a big part of the day is about a lot of other Queanbeyan people, David [Furner], Campo [David Campese], Heather McKay, Matty Giteau there's lots of people in this area in Queanbeyan, or that have a lot of links to Queanbeyan, that have done well internationally.

''I feel that a small part of the parade is for all the other individual sportsmen that have come out of Queanbeyan.''

In his 130th career F1 start last July, Webber finally recorded a maiden win, prompting the Queanbeyan City Council to organise today's long-awaited civic reception.

The 33-year-old backed up his success in Germany with victory at the Brazilian GP, and ended the year with six other podium finishes on his way to a fourth placing in the world drivers' championship.

After today's civic reception, Webber plans to catch up with another Queanbeyan star - Canberra Raiders coach David Furner.

The pair grew up together in Queanbeyan, Furner on Cameron Road and Webber just around the corner in Irene Avenue. Both families have remained friends ever since.

Furner has invited the F1 driver and his father to watch tonight's clash against the Brisbane Broncos from the coach's box at Canberra Stadium.

And as a former ball boy at the club, Webber said he couldn't wait to see the Raiders in action again.

For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.