Cricket Australia congratulates those in the cricket community recognised today in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list.
Those honoured include outstanding elite players and volunteers performing invaluable work at local clubs who have been awarded the country’s highest honours in recognition of their contribution and service to our game.
Former Australian players Raelee Thompson and Karen Read were both appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.
Thompson was honoured for her contribution to cricket as a player, coach and administrator. A former Australian captain and member of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, Thompson played 16 Test matches and 23 One Day Internationals between 1972 and 1985.
Renowned as one of the best fast bowlers to have played for Australia, she took 57 Test wickets at an average of 18.24 and 24 ODI wickets at 18.66. In Thompson’s final Test match – the fifth and deciding match of the 1984-85 series against England – she captained the Australian team which reclaimed the Ashes after a 30-year drought.
A Life Member of Cricket Victoria, Thompson has performed many years of voluntary service as a coach and mentor to generations of cricketers at the Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club in Melbourne.
Read was honoured for her contribution to cricket, and to secondary education. The West Australian batter played three Tests and 20 ODIs for Australia from 1982-86, was a member of Australia’s 1982 World Cup winning team and captained Australian under 23 and under 25 teams.
She was a member of the Western Australian team from 1975-91, captained their first national championship team in 1987 and has held several coaching and administrative positions in WA Cricket including as President of the Melville Women’s Cricket Club of which she is a life member.
Read, who holds a doctorate in education, has also taken cricket into the schoolyard in her roles as a secondary school principal and education consultant.
The honours for these two prominent names in cricket come as the game prepares to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the first Test match between Australia and England with the historic day/night Test at the MCG starting January 30.
Former Queensland Cricket board member Barry Jansen was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to cricket along with Footscray Cricket Club Chair Geoffrey Collinson, Victorian Cricket Association and Carlton Cricket Club Life Member Gary Schickerling and Arthur Wrigglesworth for his service to country cricket with Cricket Victoria, the Victorian Country Cricket League, the Sale Maffra Cricket Association and the Bundalaguah Cricket Club.
Also receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) were the late John Buttrum for service to cricket and community including his role with Mullumbimby-Brunswick Cricket Club and James Rodgers for service to primary and secondary education, and to cricket including contributions to the Saint Ignatius College, Riverview cricket team and the Sydney University Cricket Club.
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia‘s Chief Executive Officer said:
“On behalf Australian Cricket, I would like to congratulate each recipient for being awarded the country’s highest honours for their contributions to cricket,” Hockley said.
“As we prepare for the historic day/night Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG, it is particularly pleasing that two significant figures in the history of Australian women’s cricket have been recognised in the Australia Day Honours.
“As an Australian captain and fast-bowling great, Raelee Thompson is one of the towering figures of Australian Cricket, while Karen Read has been both an elite player and a valuable advocate for cricket in her senior roles in education. Congratulations to them both.
“I am also delighted that several club volunteers have been honoured for their tireless work with Premier Cricket and community clubs and schools. Volunteers are the absolute lifeblood of our game and I congratulate them on this fitting achievement.”
List of 2025 Australia Day Honours recipients
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
Dr Karen Read
For significant service to cricket, and to secondary education.
Miss Raelee Thompson
For significant service to cricket as a player, coach, and administrator.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
The late Mr John Buttrum
For service to cricket, and to the community.
Mr Geoffrey Collinson
For service to cricket.
Mr Barry Jansen
For service to cricket.
Mr James Rodgers
For service to primary and secondary education, and to cricket.
Mr Gary Schickerling
For service to cricket.
Mr Arthur Wrigglesworth
For service to cricket.
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Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
