Rod Laver, Graham Ford and David Gallop recognised in Australian Day honours

Tennis great Rod Laver, the recently-retired player Lleyton Hewitt, Surf Life Saving Australia President Graham Ford and sports administrator David Gallop have been recognised in today’s Australia Day honours list.

Rod Laver’s receipt of the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) honoured his career achievements as Australia’s best ever male tennis player.

Made a Member of the British Empire in 1970 – a year after he won all four grand slam tournaments in the same calendar year for the second time – Laver (pictured), 77, was one of just 10 recipients of the top honour, recognised for his “eminent service to tennis as a player, representative and mentor, at the national and international level, and as a role model for young sportsmen and women”.

Born in Rockhampton, the left-handed Laver won 11 grand slam singles titles – and contributed to six doubles titles, three mixed doubles titles and five Davis Cup titles – despite being banned from amateur tennis, including grand slam events, between 1963 and 1968 for turning professional.

Veteran lifesaver Graham Ford, President of Surf Life Saving Australia and of the International Life Saving Federation has been named as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to surf life saving through leadership roles at the national and international level.

Other sporting figures were acknowledged in the Australia Day honours include Lleyton Hewitt, whose 18-year professional tennis career ended just days ago at the Australian Open, equestrian administrator and three-time Olympian Barry Roycroft and Football Federation Australia Chief Executive David Gallop – each of whom were named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Former Royal Life Saving Society Western Australia Chief Executive Alex McKenzie, horse racing commentator Greg Miles, basketball administrator and four-times Olympian Andrew Vlahov, and rugby league administrator John Chalk, have each received a Medal of the Order Australia (OAM).

If we have missed someone in the industry who was recognised in the Australia Day honours please contact leisure@ausleisure.com.au to advise.

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