AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

Athletics Australia President, Mark Arbib, has congratulated members of the athletics community who have today been named on the Australia Day Honours List by His Excellency General, the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove.

“Athletics in Australia is proud of its commendable history and the recognition of so many of our community on the Australia Day Honours List today is wonderful. The commitment of our athletes and the continued service to sport and public service by our administrators is remarkable,” Arbib said.

“I congratulate our Rio 2016 Paralympic Games champions, Brayden Davidson, Scott Reardon and James Turner, who have also been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, as well as Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Lynne Williams and Steve Knott, our great former national champions who have been recognised with Membership of the Order of Australia. Lynne and Steve have also been acknowledged for their outstanding public service.”

Arbib also recognised two of his predecessors, former Athletics Australia Presidents, Rob Fildes AM and Andrew Forrest AC, for their acknowledgement by the Governor General.

“The contribution of Rob Fildes and Andrew Forrest to the sport of athletics is immeasurable. Our success on and off the field of play is a consequence of the hard work of so many volunteers, and Rob and Andrew are two fine examples of outstanding service to track and field in Australia,” Arbib added.

A complete list of members of the athletics community recognised on the Australia Day Honours List is available below.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM):
Barry Ling OAM
Brayden Davidson OAM
Scott Reardon OAM
James Turner OAM 

Membership of the Order of Australia (AM):
Rob Fildes AM
Melinda Gainsford-Taylor AM
Steve Knott AM
Lynne Williams AM 

Office of the Order of Australia (AO):
Andrew Forrest AO 

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC):
Bob Ellicott AC