Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)—The Australia Day Honours recognised 1040 outstanding and inspirational Australians in 2022, including John Thomas of Eleebana.

John received an OAM for service to rugby league. He has been involved with the game for more than 50 years, the past 29 in an official capacity with the Newcastle Knights NRL squad.

He is described as the first to arrive and last to leave every training session and game day, and his commitment to the club has previously been recognised with Life Membership awarded in 2010 and Clubman of the Year in 2018.

He served as Valentine-Eleebana Club secretary for 10 years and Newcastle Schoolboys treasurer for 25 years. Before he began working with the Knights First grade side in early 2000, John served as team manager of the Knights Harold Matthews squad starting in 1991, followed by time with Newcastle's SG Ball team and representative teams including NSW Under 19s and the Junior Kangaroos.

In case you needed any more proof of John's commitment to the game of rugby league, legendary player Danny Buderus calls him "the GOAT"—that is, greatest of all time. Congratulations John Thomas OAM.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!