A revered Queensland sporting identity has sadly passed away.
Daphne Pirie AO MBE, former Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) board member and women's elite sport pioneer, died yesterday aged 90.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland's sporting community had lost a true icon.
"Daphne Pirie was one of those athletes who no matter what sport she did, she excelled," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Her career spanned some 40 years and achieved national and international success in track and field, hockey and golf.
"Ms Pirie dedicated her life to the pursuit of sporting excellence, in particular her work with the Queensland Academy of Sport and her promotion and support to women in sport.
"During that career, Daphne won countless accolades as an athlete and sports administrator, and is a 2012 Queensland Great."
Daphne Pirie was an inductee of the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame and the Hockey Queensland Hall of Fame, President of the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame, founding President of Womensport Queensland, and the first female Vice-president of the Queensland Olympic Council.
Queensland Academy of Sport Chief Executive Chelsea Warr described Ms Pirie as a pioneer in Queensland women's elite sport.
"Daphne's contribution to the QAS and her passion to elevate women in sport was nothing short of legendary," Ms Warr said.
Daphne was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to Hockey as well as an Order of Australia for her services to Sports Administration.
In 2011 she received the International Olympic Committee Women and Sport Trophy for Oceania following her stellar career in Track and Field, Hockey and Golf.
"Daphne's ongoing competitive spirit and passion for sport never diminished as she got older, seeing her achieve eight gold medals in international competitions as a world-ranked Masters Athlete," Ms Warr said.
"She was a formidable woman who was always ahead of her time, and whose achievements were inspiring as a successful athlete, sports administrator, leader and friend. We wish her family our very best wishes at this time"
