Athletes, Advocates Honoured on January 26
A number of women across the sporting spectrum have been recognised with Honours today.
Gold medalists, sports administrators and advocates, and a Matildas legend are among those to have been honoured with January 26 honours.
The following Paris Olympic and Paralympic champions were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM):
Saya Sakakibara, Arisa Trew, Grace Brown, Noemie Fox, Shayna Jack, Nina Kennedy, Lani Pallister, Jamie Perkins, Olivia Wunsch, Lauren Parker, Nikki Ayers, Keira Stephens, Emily Beecroft and Alexa Leary, receiving the honour for services to sport.
Also being recognised was recently retired Matildas superstar Clare Polkinghorne for her services to football, while Patricia Nicholls recognised for her service to basketball as a statistician.
Para Athlete and Para sports advocate Julie Charlton also received an Order of Australia for her services to sport and people with a disability.
“I started my advocacy journey at the age of seven. To be recognised with an OAM means that I have made a difference in some way that someone wants to recognise it, and I think that’s really special and something that I never really expected to actually happen to me”, Julie told HER WAY.
(Watch the full chat with Julie responding to her honour, below).
Receiving the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award were Lauretta Claus for her behind the scenes contribution to basketball in Australia as a statistician, Janet Jackson for her involvement with Lacrosse as an official and administrator, while Raelee Thompson and Karen Read were honoured for their service to cricket.