Cricket Victoria congratulates all those in our cricket community who were yesterday recognised in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List. Among the recipients was Raelee Thompson, who was appointed as Member of the Order of Australia (AM). As a player and administrator, Raelee has made an immense contribution to our great game. As a pioneer, […]
Cricket Victoria congratulates all those in our cricket community who were yesterday recognised in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List.
Among the recipients was Raelee Thompson, who was appointed as Member of the Order of Australia (AM). As a player and administrator, Raelee has made an immense contribution to our great game.
As a pioneer, she helped the pave the way for the growth of women and girls' cricket that we see today.
A fast bowler who played 16 Tests and 23 One-Day Internationals between 1972 and 1985, Raelee captained the Australian Women's National Team four times.
Remarkably, Raelee is the oldest player - male or female - to have a maiden five-wicket innings in Test matches at 39 years and 175 days of age. In her final Test match at the fifth and deciding Test match of the 1984-85 Women's Ashes series, Raelee led the team to reclaim the Women' Ashes trophy after a 30-year hiatus.
At the national level, Raelee took 57 Test wickets at an average of 18.24 and 24 One-Day International wickets at 18.66. At a State level, Raelee represented Victoria on 45 occasions before serving as a selector for many years.
Her impact on women and girls cricket continued after her playing days where she played a mentoring role at her home club of Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club, helping to develop the next generation of talent.
Her contributions to Australian Cricket culminated in her induction to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2022.
Footscray Cricket Club President, Geoffrey Collinson, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his outstanding contribution to cricket in Victoria.
Joining Mr Collinson is Cricket Victoria Life Member, Gary Schickerling, who has impacted cricket in a variety of levels including as a player and president of the Carlton Cricket Club and as Treasurer of the old Victorian Cricket Association.
Fellow Cricket Victoria Life Member and Jack Ryder Medal recipient, Arthur Wrigglesworth, has also been awarded the OAM.
Cricket Victoria congratulates each recipient for being awarded one of Australia's highest honours for their outstanding contributions to our beloved game.
