NSW sportspeople recognised in Australia Day Honours

Published Tue 31 Jan 2017

Numerous sportspeople in NSW were recognised for their outstanding contributions to sport, from excellence in athletic performance, to administration, leadership and volunteering. As we lead up to our 2016 NSW Sports Awards we give special acknowledgement to two of our finalists who were recognised in the Australia Day Honours this year, receiving a Medal of the Order (OAM); Athlete of the Year Finalist Tom Burton OAM and Young Athlete of the Year and Young Athlete of the Year with a Disability Finalist, Tiffany Thomas-Kane OAM.

See below list of recipients who had major contributions to sport attributed to their service.

AC (Companion of the Order)

The Honourable Robert James ELLICOTT QC, Potts Point NSW 2011
For eminent service to the Parliament of Australia, particularly as Attorney-General, to legal practice and innovative policy development, to advancements in global trade law, and to the international arbitration of sporting disputes.

For Sport:

Judge, Court of Arbitration for Sport, International Olympic Committee, 1995-2015.
Judge, Ad Hoc Divisions, Court of Arbitration for Sport, Commonwealth Games Kuala Lumpur (1988), Olympic Games Sydney (2000), Winter Olympics Salt Lake City (2002).

AO (Officer of the Order)

Mr Michael Eugene FANNING, New South Wales
For distinguished service to surfing as a professional competitor at the national and international level, and as a supporter of a range of charitable foundations.

Career highlights include:

World Champion, Association of Surfing Professionals (now the World Surf League), 2013, 2009, and 2007 and Rookie of the Year, 2002.
Australian Male Surfer of the Year, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2004, and 2002.
Professional Surfer, since 2002.
Host, Red Bull Future Surf Camp, 2012.

Charitable service includes:

Starlight Ambassador, Starlight Children's Foundation, since 2014.
Active Supporter, 'Wings for Life' Spinal Cord Research Foundation, ongoing and Supporter, 'Wings for Life World Run', ongoing.
Active Supporter, Cure for MDN (Motor Neuron Disease) Foundation, ongoing.
Provided financial donation to Matt Lee, a body-boarder who was attacked by a Great White Shark at Ballina, NSW in 2015.

Mr Guy Alan REYNOLDS AM, Mosman NSW 2088
For distinguished service to the community through leadership of a range of programs designed to support youth in sporting, educational and employment pursuits.

Service includes:

Chairman and Founding Director, Macquarie Sports Foundation, since 1997.
Board Member, The Hayden Way (organises sport and recreation camps), current.
Board Member, Get Outside Group, 2012-2016.
Founding Director, Rugby Alliance Canada, since 2013.
Foundation Board Member, Australian Schoolboys Rugby Foundation, 2001-2015.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hayden Reynolds Tiwi College Project (Indigenous school with boarding facilities for Tiwi Island children, sponsored by Macquarie Bank), since 2009.
Founding Director, Liz Ellis Foundation, since 2013.
Founding Director, Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation (seeks to work with governments, industry and community groups to curb alcohol fuelled violence and other related harms to young people), since 2012.
Founding Director, Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation, 2003-2011.
Founding Ambassador, Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, since 2009.
Executive Director, Fixed Incomes and Currencies, Macquarie Bank, since 2000 and Employee, since 1989.

Awards and recognition includes:

Awarded Commander of the Order of the Crown, Kingdom of Tonga, 'for services to Pacific Islands' sports development', 2010.

Mr David Ingle THODEY, Cremorne NSW 2090
For distinguished service to business, notably to the telecommunications and information technology sectors, to the promotion of ethical leadership and workplace diversity, and to basketball.

Service includes:
For Sport:Chairman, Basketball Australia, 2008-2010.

AM (Member of the Order)

Mr Anthony Frederick BONNER, Cammeray NSW 2062
For significant service to the performing arts as an actor, to surf lifesaving, and to the community through charitable organisations.

Manly Surf Lifesaving Club:

President, 2002-2004 and 2006.
Vice-President, and Publicity Officer, current and Member, for over 50 years.
Director, Northern Beaches Lifesaving, 'for many years'.

Mr John Wallace DICKENSON OAM, Fairlight NSW 2094
For significant service to sports aviation as a pioneer of innovative design and development of hang-gliding and para-gliding equipment.

Service includes:

Inventor and developer of the 'Delta Ski Wing' kite, 1963.
Developed and constructed an 'A' frame and weight shift control system which allowed the Delta Ski Wing kite to be accurately manoeuvred, allowing it to develop to the next stage of foot-launched hang gliders and paragliders enabling them to be flown from hills and cliffs, 1964.

Mrs Melinda Maree GAINSFORD-TAYLOR, Collaroy Plateau NSW 2097
For significant service to athletics as a sprinter, at the national and international level, and as a role model for young athletes.

Service includes:

Gold medal winner, 200m World Indoor Championships, Barcelona, 1995.
Represented Australia at three Olympic Games: Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000).
Female Captain of the Australian Athletics Team, Sydney, 2000.
Only Australian athlete to win back-to-back National Sprint Double Crowns for the 100 and 200m and has won 5 National Double crowns in 1992, 1993, 1995,1997 and 1998 and a 6th National Crown for the 100m, 1999.
Winner, 11 Australian Track and Field National Titles.
Holds the record for the fastest time ever by an Australian for the 200m run, Stuttgart Germany, 1997.
From 1994-2014 held the fastest time by an Australian for the 100m.
Silver and Bronze medal winner, Commonwealth Games, Canada, in 1994.

Mr Philip Nicholas KEARNS, Mosman NSW 2088
For significant service to the community through support for charitable organisations, to business, and to rugby union at the elite level.

Service includes:

Crew Member, Investec Loyal, Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race participant fundraising the Loyal Foundation, since 2009.
Captain, Wallabies Australian Rugby Union team on 10 occasions and Team Member and holder of 67 Caps, 1989-1999 and Rugby World Cup Winner, 1999 and 1991.
Sports Commentator, Fox Sports, current.

Mrs Maureen WALKER, Wyong NSW 2259
For significant service to equestrian sports, and to the horse industry as a rider, breeder, trainer and instructor.

OAM (Medal of the Order)

Mr Thomas Michael BURTON, Manly Vale NSW 2093
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio Olympic Games 2016.

Mr Edward Malcolm CLARKE, Merewether NSW 2291
For service to the community through sporting organisations.

Mr Andrew John EDMONDSON, Kingsford NSW 2032
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Ms Chloe Jeannie ESPOSITO, Casula NSW 2170
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr Leonard James GRAFF, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
For service to sports administration, and to the community.

Ms Ellia Tiriseyani GREEN, Dee Why NSW 2099
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr Jonathan Bruce HARRIS, Oatley NSW 2223
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Mrs Barbara Claire HOLDEN, Sylvania NSW 2224
For service to lawn bowls.

Mr Robert George HOLLAND, Toronto NSW 2283
For service to cricket.

Mrs Christine Julie HOPTON, Clareville NSW 2107
For service to surf lifesaving.

Dr Francis Michael KELLEHER, North Richmond NSW 2754
For service to horse sports, and to agriculture education.

Mr Graham Stewart LEES, Woy Woy NSW 2256
For service to surf lifesaving.

Ms Emma McKEON, Wollongong NSW 2500
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr Lindsay Bruce MAY, NSW
For service to sailing, and to health and social welfare groups.

Mrs Joan Kathleen O'CONNELL, Terrigal NSW 2260
For service to golf.

Ms Shannon Michelle PARRY, Dee Why NSW 2099
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr Andrew John PURCHAS, Bondi NSW 2026
For service to rugby union, and to the promotion of social inclusion for LGBTI people.

Miss Alicia Jane QUIRK, Mona Vale NSW 2103
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr Robert John McINERNEY, Newport NSW 2106
For service to veterans and their families, and to surf lifesaving.

Mr John Edward SALMON, Bateau Bay NSW 2261
For service to the environment, and to surf lifesaving.

Mrs Kerryn Denise SALMON, Bateau Bay NSW 2261
For service to the environment, and to surf lifesaving.

Mr Bryan John SCHAFER, Ingleburn NSW 2565
For service to rugby league, and to veterans and their families.

Mrs Joan Katherine STILGOE, Taren Point NSW 2229
For service to hockey, and to the community.

Mr Ralph Edward STILGOE, Taren Point NSW 2229
For service to sailing, and to the community.

Ms Tiffany THOMAS KANE, Killara NSW 2071
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Miss Emma Kate TONEGATO, Mona Vale NSW 2103
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The late Mr Brian Edward TROUVILLE (WEF 20 March 2015), Late of Taren Point NSW 2229
For service to sport through canoeing, kayaking, and to surf lifesaving.

Mr Wayne William TURLEY, Miranda NSW 2228
For service to lawn bowls.

Ms Amy Justine TURNER, Newport NSW 2106
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr James Michael TURNER, Diamond Beach NSW 2430
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Mr Terence John WAND, Wyong NSW 2259
For service to rugby league.

Ms Sharni Maree WILLIAMS, Newport NSW 2106
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr Mark Lester WINDON, Maroubra South NSW 2035
For service to surfing through administrative roles.

Mr Peter Muir WYLLIE, Terrigal NSW 2260
For service to surf lifesaving, and to the community of Terrigal.

Download the complete lists of recipients at The Australian Honours Secretariat