King’s Birthday Honours for local legends of our game

The SANFL congratulates the community volunteers and outstanding contributors to football in South Australia who have today been recognised for their services in the community in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours.

Iconic Australian sports commentator and former SANFL caller Sandy Roberts was among the five South Australians awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community, with a contribution to Australian football.

Originally from Lucindale in the State’s South East, Roberts’ remarkable media career started out with his first job as a copy boy at The News. He eventually scored a role at Channel 7 as a general announcer in 1973 before being offered a gig as a caller in the mid 70s.

An avid Norwood supporter, he went on to commentate SANFL matches for the next five years before moving to the Seven Network in Melbourne in 1980 and becoming one of the voices of Australian sport.

The following is the full list of South Australians to receive OAM Honours for Service to the Community, including Australian football:

Alan Coulter – For service to community sport, including 47 years at the Renmark Rovers Football Club.

Doug Kaesler – For service to cycling, with roles at SMOSH West Lakes Football Club (formerly Semaphore Park Football Club), and South Australian Amateur Football League.

Michael Litis – For service to the community through sports organisations, including roles at Karoonda Junior Football Club.

Sandy Roberts – For services to media, including Australian Rules Football.

Rob Snowdon – For service to the community, and to Australian rules football, including roles at Port Adelaide and Sydney Swans Football Clubs.

The SANFL also acknowledges the late Sir James Hardy – a lifelong supporter of the Sturt Football Club – who was awarded a posthumous Order of Australia medal for distinguished service to yachting, the business sector, charitable organisations and to the community, including roles at AFL Sydney (formerly Sydney Football League) and NSW Australian Football League.