Cuthbert posthumously awarded Companion of the Order of Australia

The late, great Betty Cuthbert was named among members of the Athletics Australia family to receive Australia Day honours on Friday.

Cuthbert, who died last year aged 79 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis, was posthumously awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). The four-time Olympic gold medalist was recognised for eminent service to athletics at the national and international level, particularly as a gold medalist at the Melbourne and Tokyo Olympic Games, and as a role model, fundraiser, and advocate for research into a cure for multiple sclerosis.

Cuthbert was appointed as a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in 1965 and in 1984 became a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Simon Baker was recognised with an OAM for service to athletics, particularly to racewalking.

Australian Masters Hall of Fame inductee, Peter Crombie, former Australian Athletics Coach of the Year Thomas Hancock and Athletics Australia Life Member Steve Stingemore all received OAMs for services to athletics.

Lavinia Petrie, World Masters Athletics Championships eight-time world record holder, received an OAM in the Honourary Division.