King’s Birthday Honours for local legends of our game

The SANFL congratulates three community volunteers and outstanding contributors to football in South Australia who have today been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.

Newly-inducted Australian Football Hall of Fame member Chris McDermott – who played 277 SANFL matches for Glenelg and 117 AFL matches for Adelaide – has made an equally significant impact off the field through the establishment of the Little Heroes Foundation.

Together with Tigers premiership teammate Tony McGuinness, McDermott founded the foundation in 1996 in memory of five-year-old Nicholas Berry and seven-year-old Nathan McLean, who both died from cancer.

Across the next three decades, Chris has played an integral role in raising more almost $40m for equipment and facilities at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The well-known South Australian charity has also led the charge to improve children’s mental health.

Chris was today deservedly honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for both his contribution to football and the community.

Powered by his extreme love of Australian Football, Barry Lewis is still relishing his weekly opportunity to umpire since first blowing the whistle in 1974.

Since then, Barry has officiated in more than an astonishing 2800 matches at various levels in the SANFL, Adelaide Footy League and Glenelg South Football Association.

His hard work has been recognised with life memberships, a number of umpiring awards and legend status in the National Police Football Association.

For 46 years, Joy Edwards has devoted herself to her beloved Macclesfield Football Club.

Serving as the club’s treasurer on the senior committee since 1979, Joy has also performed several other duties for the Bloods including co-manager of the club’s canteen whilst also attending regular meetings at the Hills Football League.

More recently, Joy has also been instrumental in establishing the club’s Hall of Fame, which has fittingly recognised the contributions of outstanding players, coaches and volunteers.

Both Joy and Barry joined McDermott in being awarded an OAM in the King’s Birthday honours list.