More Recognition for Female NSW Champions

Six members of the NSW Hall of Champions were honoured over the Australia Day weekend for their service to sport – with the interesting twist being that all were female.

The Australia Day honours recognise Australians for their excellence, achievement or meritorious service and contributions. 

Sport NSW introduced the NSW Champions of Sport ceremony in 2017, which for the first time combined the NSW Sports Awards with the induction of NSW sporting greats into the Hall of Champions. Located at Sydney Olympic Park, the NSW Hall of Champions was established in 1979 as the sporting hall of fame for NSW athletes.

The six ladies from the NSW Hall of Champions recognised – Betty Cuthbert, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Belinda Clark, Liz Ellis, Heather McKay and Shane Gould – had all previously received formal honours of some kind, with each being elevated in 2018 to a higher honour.

But it did not stop there for NSW sport, with many more people honoured for their service to sport, with much of that service coming at grass roots and community level.

Sport NSW congratulates all honourees on their recognition. A full list appears below. 

The late Ms Betty Cuthbert (AC)

Australia's "golden girl" Betty Cuthbert has been posthumously awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia.

For eminent service to athletics at the national and international level, particularly as a gold medallist at the Melbourne and Tokyo Olympic Games, and as a role model, fundraiser, and advocate for research into a cure for multiple sclerosis. Read more.

Mrs Evonne Fay Goolagong-Cawley (AC) MBE

Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong-Cawley has also been recognised with the nation's highest honour – Companion of the Order of Australia - for her sporting achievements and her role as an Indigenous youth health advocate. Read more.

Ms Belinda Clark (AO)

Belinda Clark was made Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished services to cricket as one of this country’s most successful and influential cricketers on and off the field. Read more.

Mrs Elizabeth Margaret Ellis (AO)

Former Australian captain Liz Ellis received an Officer of the Order of Australia for her outstanding netball career — which included two Commonwealth Games gold medals and three World Championships. Further she is recognised for her coaching and her contribution through support and advocacy for young women, to the broadcast and print industries and to the community. Read more.

Mrs Heather Pamela McKAY (AO) MBE

World Champion squash player and Australia Institute of Sport coach Heather McKay was recognised with an Officer of the Order as a pioneer on the professional squash circuit and a support for young athletes.

Mrs Shane Elizabeth Gould (AM) MBE

Shane Gould was awarded Member of the Order for significant service to swimming at the elite level, as a gold medallist at the Munich Olympic Games, at just 15 years of age and to water safety programs in developing countries. Read more.

Member of the Order (AM)

Mr Robert Arthur Baker, Concord NSW
For significant service to youth, particularly through leadership roles with Scouts, and to the sport of karting as an administrator and mentor. 

Mr Simon Paul Poidevin, Coogee NSW
For significant service to education through fundraising and student scholarship support, to the community through the not-for-profit sector, and to rugby union.

Medal of the Order (OAM)

Mrs Carol Joyce Baiton, Picnic Point NSW 

For service to netball. 

Mr Kevin Frank Best, Wyoming NSW

For service to football in New South Wales. 

Mr Donald Leslie Briggs, Shellharbour NSW

For service to the community of Shellharbour, and to local government. 

In relation to the NSW sporting community: Shellharbour Sports Assistance Fund, Warilla RSL, Oat Flats Falcons Soccer Club, Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club and Surf Life Saving NSW.

Mr Graeme John Campbell, Maroubra NSW

For service to harness racing. 

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kennedy Court RFD ED (Retd), Clovelly NSW

For service to sport, and to the community. 

Mr Peter William Crombie, Dee Why NSW 

For service to athletics. 

Mr Maurice Desmond Fuller, Kempsey NSW 

For service to the community of Kempsey-Macleay, and to motor sports. 

Mr Neville Kenneth Glover, Chain Valley Bay NSW

For service to rugby league, and to the community. 

Mrs Rozlynn Ann Grey, Heathcote NSW

For service to lifesaving, and to swimming. 

Dr Bruce Horsfield, Kirribilli NSW

For service to the preservation of military history, and to sport parachuting. 

Mr Barry Ernest Jones, Minchinbury NSW 

For service to rugby league, and to youth. 

Mr Geoffrey John King, Coffs Harbour NSW

For service to the community through a range of charitable organisations. 

In relation to the NSW sporting community: Coffs Harbour PCYC, Woolgoolga Surf Life Saving Club, Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club and Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club.

Mr Alan Gould Mather, Inverell NSW

For service to the community of Inverell. 

In relation to the NSW sporting community: Nullamanna Sports Club, Inverell East Bowling Club, Nullamanna Cricket Club and Inverell Tennis Club.

Mr Gregory Phillip Morrissey, Parkes NSW

For service to cricket, and to the community of Parkes. 

Mr Raymond Russell SelkriIg, South Coogee NSW

For service to the thoroughbred racing industry through a range of roles. 

Mr Brian Kenneth Thompson, Caringbah NSW 

For service to surf lifesaving. 

Mr Geoffrey Robert Thoroughgood, Ramsgate Beach NSW

For service to sporting organisations, and to the community.