Glenn McGrath, Bachar Houli, Peter Senior make King’s Birthday Honours list

Aussie cricketer Glenn McGrath and ex-AFL star Bachar Houli are among the sporting greats recognised for their work on and off the field in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

In his playing days Glenn McGrath was pretty much a lock at No. 11, but the tailender jokes that he has now moved up the order.

In being elevated to Officer level in the Order of Australia, McGrath is on equal footing with long-time cricket teammates and former Aussie captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Though McGrath’s exceptional deeds with the ball have stood the test of time, it is his off-field impact for which he has primarily been recognised.

Since its launch in 2005, the McGrath Foundation has supported more than 137,000 families through breast cancer battles.

McGrath, who lost first wife Jane to the illness in 2008, said that while the AO was a “huge honour,” he did not need it to appreciate the magnitude of what the charity had achieved, particularly through the now iconic Pink Test every January in Sydney.

Glenn McGrath at the Pink Test at the SCG in January. Picture: Julian Andrews

“It’s not something I really have to sort of sit down and think about because it’s just a constant in our life and it is something I’m very proud of,” McGrath said from Chennai, where he is working as director of coaching at the MRF cricket academy.

“At this end of this year, we’ll achieve our mission of 250 nurses where every family, every person has the free service, free access of a breast care nurse where they live, within a 75km radius anywhere in the country. There are other breast care nurses out there who do an amazing job too. So to feel that we’ve achieved our mission. And obviously, it’s about sustainability and moving forward to keep those 250 nurses employed plus what we’re going to do. It just blows me away. I still have to pinch myself to think that I was lucky enough to play cricket for Australia. And then what’s being achieved for the foundation is something I’m very proud of as well.”

McGrath, 54, was one of several sporting identities to receive King’s Birthday honours.

Pioneering ex-Richmond AFL star Bachar Houli received an OAM for services to the Islamic community, multiculturalism and Australian football.

Ex Richmond AFL player Bachar Houli. Picture: Jason Edwards

While “humbled and grateful,” Houli said that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza made it a “difficult time to celebrate” but added that “this award isn’t about just me but for all the individuals, organisations and partners who have helped make this community work possible.”

Among other achievements, three-time premiership player Houli established the Bachar Houli Foundation which strives to “empower young Muslims through sport.”

“I want to continue to support young people to be proud of their identity and strive to be the best versions of themselves by celebrating their differences,” Houli said.

“I’m looking forward to expanding the foundations with sports colleges across Australia providing alternative pathways to traditional schools.”

Veteran Australian golfer Peter Senior has also been awarded an OAM, while former Geelong coach John Devine posthumously received an OAM.

Others recognised include: Gareth Andrews (Australian football), Richard Marks (rugby), Patricia Sibraa (softball), Christine Sinclair (squash), Ray Steele (cricket), James Hardy (sailing), Penelope Gillies (athletics), Kerrye Katz (judo), Kevin O’Neill (soccer) and Evelyn Robinson (netball).

Originally published as Glenn McGrath, Bachar Houli, Peter Senior make King’s Birthday Honours list