Trailblazer Richmond president given Queen’s Birthday honour

Peggy O’Neal is the trailblazing first female AFL club president, who led Richmond back to the glory years. But it’s not just her work at Punt Rd that has seen her honoured with an Order of Australia.

Richmond president Peggy O'Neal has been awarded the Order of Australia. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Peggy O’Neal didn’t kick the winning goal or tag the opposition’s best defender as Richmond roared to its drought-breaking AFL premiership victory in 2017.

But she was a crucial part of the winning team.

The trailblazing first female president in the history of the AFL has held the post at Richmond since 2013, been on the board since 2005 and previously chaired the club’s risk, compliance and integrity committee.

But it’s not just Tigerland where the American-born lawyer has made a positive influence to Australian society.

And her efforts will be duly recognised today, when she is awarded the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to Aussie rules football, superannuation and finance law and the advancement of women in leadership roles.

Peggy O'Neal with Richmond chief Brendon Gale, coach Damien Hardwick and the 2017 premiership flag. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media.

Dustin Martin and Peggy O’Neal with the 2017 premiership cup. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The Richmond life member said the honour was a surprise she had not expected.

“But it’s gratifying to be recognised for work in the community as well as your professional life,’’ she said.

“It’s a kind of recognition I didn’t expect to come my way but I’m glad that it did.’’

Ms O’Neal chaired the State Government Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation from 2014-2016 and the Victorian Ministerial Change our Game program from 2016-2018.

She has been a member of the AFL Competition Committee since 2018, a member of the Victorian Ministerial Council on Women’s Equality since 2017 and on the board of Women’s Housing since 2013.

Among a raft of other achievements, she is an emeritus member of the Law Council of Australia’s Superannuation Committee, and has been a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors since 2008.

Women’s Weekly in 2014 ranked her in the “50 most powerful women in Australia’’.

She has chaired the Australian Public Service Reconsideration Committee since 2016 and been on the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation board since 2011.