Australia Day Honours: Recognition of Outstanding Contributors to Communities and Australian Football

The Australian Football League (AFL) congratulates the community leaders and outstanding contributors to Australia and Australian football, who were recognised today in the Australia Day Honours.

AFL Commission Chairman Richard Goyder offered his congratulations to Commissioner Helen Milroy, who was recognised for her ground-breaking career in children's health, and said the game was indebted to all those who were recognised for their service to others today, and their work to improve communities around the country.

Mr Goyder said Australian football was particularly delighted that many long-time leaders at grassroots level within the game were honoured, with instances of four and five decades of service to clubs and leagues at metropolitan or country level among the honorees.

"Australian football has been able to rebound from two incredibly tough years, affected by Covid-19, thanks to the thousands of volunteers around the country who run our clubs and support our leagues at grassroots level around the country. As a game, we are thrilled to see long-term volunteers recognised today for their key roles within football, and we thank every volunteer for what they give to our game," Mr Goyder said.

"This year’s Australia Day Honours recognise people within our game who have provided lifetimes of service to junior football for girls and boys, amateur football, country football, metropolitan football, umpiring and league administration.

"The AFL Commission wishes also to congratulate Professor Milroy, the first Indigenous commissioner in our game’s history, for recognition of her enormous contribution to advancements in public health and particularly in child and adolescent psychiatry, having previously been recognised as West Australian of the Year.

"Congratulations and thank you to each of these wonderful servants of our game and all of us are looking forward to the return of football shortly, both at elite and community levels."

Australia Day Honours with a contribution to Australian football:

Recipient of the AM

Frederick Alale (service to African communties in Victoria, including working with The Huddle at North Melbourne FC);
Belinda Duarte (service to the Indigenous community and sports administration, including roles with the Korn Gamadji Institute at Richmond FC (2011-16) and the Western Bulldogs (Director since 2019);
Professor Helen Milroy (service to public health and the Indigenous community, including her role as an AFL Commissioner);
Mary Patetsos (service to multicultural affairs and aged care, including her role with Power Community at the Port Adelaide FC).

Recipient of the OAM

Howard Branson (service to the community of West Adelaide and football clubs including West Adelaide (SANFL) and community clubs Flagstaff Hill, Happy Valley, McLaren Flat and Flinders Park);
Paul Crate (service to Australian Football, particularly the Christies Beach Football Club, Southern Football League and Willunga, McLaren Vale, Morphett Vale, Loxton and Loxton North clubs);
Ashley Donaldson (service to basketball primarily, but also as a football player and football umpire in the Bendigo region);
Carmel Gould (service to Australian Football, particularly the Mayne Tigers Junior Football Club since 1966);
Daryl Gould (service to Australian Football, particularly the Mayne Tigers Senior and Junior Football Clubs since 1966, and the Brisbane Juniors);
Maureen Hafey (service to the community, including roles with Richmond FC);
Ivo Havard (service to cricket and football, including the Point Cook Football Club and the Werribee Football Club);
Noel Holdsworth (service to the Bridgetown community, including the Bridgetown FC for 40+ years as an umpire);
Dennis Jarman (service to the communities of Elizabeth and Playford, including roles with the Central District FC);
Colin Jones (service to the Berrigan Shire, including committee and administrative roles with the Tocumwal Football and Netball Club);
Yasseen Musa (service to the African community of Melbourne, including roles as a Multicultural Ambassador for Australian football);
David Michelson (service to the Jewish community in a wide range of community roles, including Ajax JFC and the South Metro JFL);
Julia Saunders (service to the Crib Point community, including 40+ years with the Crib Point Football Netball Club);
Paul Stevens (service to the Gold Coast community, including 20 years with Southport Sharks Football Club);
Kenneth White (service to the Cardinia Shire, including 50+ years with Longwarry Football Club and 25+ years as a vice-president of the Ellinbank and District Football League);
Glenn Wright (service to Leongatha community, including 20+ years with Leongatha Football Netball Club).