NRL Hall of Fame member and 14-Test Kangaroos international Gene Miles has topped the list of those from the Rugby League community to receive King’s Birthday honours.
Miles, whose playing career spanned 12 years and 320 first-class games with Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane Broncos and Wigan, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to youth, and to Rugby League.
Miles has held the role of executive Chair of the Former Origin Greats (FOGs) since 2008 and Chair of Selectors for the Queensland Rugby League State of Origin team since 2017, having served as a selector since 2001.
Notable contributors to Rugby League were also honoured today with Penn family (owners of the Sea Eagles) patriarch Rick Penn receiving an AM for significant service to the community through charitable initiatives, and Broncos benefactor Clive Berghofer being elevated to Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) status for distinguished service to the community of Queensland through philanthropic support of health and emergency services, sporting and educational organisations.
Several other members of the Rugby League community were recognised for their immense contributions in their local regions in the areas of sport, education, and service organisations.
Rugby League King’s Birthday Honours Recipients
OAM
Paul Anderson - Crookwell and District RL club - for service to Community
Geoff Baldwin - former WA Rugby League Chairman - for service to Veterans
Gerald Doyle - Illawarra District Rugby League - for service to Community in the Illawarra region
John Eales - Brisbane (Easts) Tigers former player and long-term executive committee member - for service to child welfare organisations
Robert ‘Bob’ Fleeton - long-term Moorebank Rams JRL President - for service to sports administration, and to the Community
Gordon Gorton - former President and director of Cessnock Goannas RL club - for service to the Community through a range of service organisations
Lance Harrigan - former NSWRL referee and South Sydney referees association life member - for service to the community through a range of organisations
Mark Holton - former NSWRL referee and Terrigal Wamberal RL club board member - for service to the Community through a range of organisations
Brian Jack - Newcastle Knights Junior selection panel Chairman and life member - for service to the community of Maitland
Gene Miles - NRL Hall of Fame inductee #89, Queensland Rugby League Team of the Century - for service to Youth, and to Rugby League
Raymond Strong - former player, Treasurer, President Berry Shoalhaven Heads RL club - for service to the community of Berry
Cyril ‘Jimmy’ Tanner - 19-year volunteer, player, coach, groundsman, dual life member Armidale Rams senior and junior RL club - for service to Rugby League football in Armidale
AM
Richard ‘Rick’ Penn - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles owner - for significant service to the Community through charitable initiatives
AO
Clive Berghofer - Brisbane Broncos and Oakey Bears (Townsville) RL club benefactor - for distinguished service to the Community of Queensland through philanthropic support of health and emergency services, sporting and educational orgnanisations.
