Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020: Gold Coast Commonwealth Games organiser Mark Peters awarded OAM

The man behind the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and Australian baseball has received a Queen’s Birthday Honour. Now, he wants to re-establish the event industry on the Coast.

MARK Peters has changed the face of Australian sport but says his achievements are a credit to his supportive family.

The man behind the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and Australian baseball cannot believe he has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Mark Peters OAM says his achievements are a credit to his supportive family. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It’s an honour to be recognised for all the things I have done and attempted to do to improve sport,” he said.

“But it’s recognition to the people who have help me on the journey.

“Coaches, volunteers in the canteen, colleagues, my parents who drove me around to sport as a kid.

“Most importantly, I want to thank my family. I can't thank my wife enough for all the sacrifices she has made.”

Mr Peters, 67, received the Queen’s Birthday Honour for his service to sports administration as the CEO of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, 10 years as CEO of the Australian Sports Commission and extensive work fostering the next generation of Australian baseballers.

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GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters with Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation Chairman Peter Beattie. Picture: Jerad Williams

He told the Bulletin the highlights of his career included representing Australia in baseball at the Seoul World Championships, his time as President of the Australian Baseball Federation, contributing to the successful 2004 Athens Olympics with the Australian Sports Commission and heading the bid and operation of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“This year I have been able to take a deep breath and reflect on that – it spurs me on to give more and more,” he said.

“I love giving kids to the opportunity to play sport, something I love, and be surrounded by all the positive things it has to offer.”

Mark Peters plays for the Surfers Paradise Clippers on the Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

Since he was a young boy, Mark’s had an unwavering passion for sport.

“I played everything as a kid,” he said.

“One day I joined a baseball team with my mates at school.

“From then on baseball turned into a great adventure.”

The ex-professional baseballer still competes with the Surfers Paradise Baseball Club.

He is also involved with Newlife Care, Griffith University’s Menzies Health Institute, Masters Baseball and a member of the newly formed Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC) board.

“My aim now is to help re-establish the events industry (post COVID-19),” he said.

“We will have to look at things differently but there is no doubt the community spirit will see sport and events back stronger.

“I won’t be involved in the South East Queensland Olympic 2032 bid and operations but I will be cheering from the sidelines.”