The Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) extends its congratulations to all individuals within the wider Australian sporting community who have been acknowledged in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 for their remarkable contributions to sports and the broader sporting landscape.

Comprising a total of 1,192 recipients, the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals across various categories, including the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards, and commendations for distinguished and conspicuous service.

One of the standout figures honoured in the list is Moya Dodd AO, a former Director of Football Australia, who has long been a staunch advocate for gender equality both in Australia and globally. Dodd has been appointed an Officer (AO) in the general division for her invaluable contributions to football as a player and administrator at national and international levels. She has also served as a role model for women and contributed significantly to the field of law.

Accompanying Dodd in this prestigious recognition is Maria Berry AM, another devoted advocate for women’s football. Berry, a former Chair of Football Victoria’s Women’s Standing Committee and Director of the former Victorian Soccer Federation and Australian Women’s Soccer Association, has been awarded a Member (AM) in the general division for her remarkable service to football, women in sport, and the business sector.

Furthermore, Miriam Knee, former captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, has been honored with the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for her exemplary service to the sport. Knee’s illustrious cricket career spanned from 1961 to 1972, during which she played eight Tests for Australia and six One Day Internationals, making significant contributions on the field. She also served as a selector for Australia, Victoria, and NSW, leaving an indelible mark across all levels of the game.

Bob Cowper, a former Australian and Victorian cricketer, as well as an International Cricket Council (ICC) representative, has also received the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. Cowper’s notable cricket career saw him play 27 Tests for Australia, including his historic triple-century (307) against England at the MCG in 1965-66. Retiring from international cricket at the young age of 28, Cowper pursued business interests, and subsequently became Australia’s representative to the ICC from 1987 to 2001. His contributions furthered the interests of Australian cricket and the game as a whole, earning him the respect and recognition he deserves.

Dr. Peter Harcourt AM, the Chief Medical Officer of Basketball Australia, has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to sports and exercise medicine, as well as his contributions to anti-doping monitoring. Dr. Harcourt has held the position of BA’s Chief Medical Officer since 1984 and was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in the previous year.

Two basketball enthusiasts, Allan Polkinghorne from South Australia and Phil Thomas from Tasmania, have been recognized with the Medal of the Order (OAM) for their service to basketball. Polkinghorne, involved in officiating for nearly four decades, was inducted into South Australia’s Platinum League of Referees in 2014 and became a Life Member in 2021. Meanwhile, Thomas, a prominent figure in Tasmanian basketball, coached 400 games in the SEABL/Australian Basketball League and was awarded life membership by Basketball Tasmania in 2005. He is also a Member of the Tasmania JackJumpers Bloodlines.

Within the Rowing Australia family, several individuals have been acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the sport and their excellence in other fields. The Hon. Patrick McNamara, former Rowing Australia President and Life Member, has been bestowed the Membership of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant services to rowing, the Parliament of Victoria, and the community through various roles. McNamara played a pivotal role in developing the rowing course at Nagambie, increasing government funding for Rowing Australia, and even turning his local rowing club in Nagambie into a commercial success. With nine years as RA President and previous tenure as President of Rowing Victoria, McNamara’s influence has been remarkable.

Sally Capp, former Director of Rowing Australia, has been honored as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to the people of Melbourne, local government as Mayor of Melbourne, and her contributions to the community through various organizations, including Rowing Australia.

Swimming Australia (SA) also joins in congratulating Mrs. Margaret Wood and Dr. George Galvin for their recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours. Mrs. Wood, an accredited Learn to Swim instructor since 1956 and currently Vice President of Maitland Swimming Club, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her dedicated service to swimming. Dr. George Galvin from Western Australia has received the Member of the Order (AM) for his significant contributions to military history, governance in sport, and emergency medicine. Dr. Galvin has had a longstanding association with the swimming community, having served as Chairman of the Medical Committee at the World Swimming Championships in Perth in 1991 and fulfilling various roles in swimming administration and officiating.

CAS extends its warm congratulations to all the deserving individuals on the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List, recognizing their valuable contributions to Australian sports and the wider sporting landscape. CAS acknowledges and expresses gratitude to the medical officials, volunteers, coaches, statisticians, and all those who form the lifeblood of Australian sports, for their unwavering dedication and service. CAS commends all award recipients for their remarkable achievements.

For more information on the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List and award recipients, please see the Governor General’s website here.

Courtesy Cricket Australia, Basketball Australia, Football Australia, Rowing Australia, Swimming Australia, and the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.