Surfing
Surfing
Mick Fanning awarded top Australia Day honour
The three-time world champion talks exclusively after being recognised for his service to community.
Mick Fanning has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, one of the highest honours in the country, on the annual Australia Day honours list which was released today.
The Order of Australia was established back in 1975 by Elizabeth II, the Queen of Australia, to recognise achievement and service to the community.
We called the three-time world champ for a little more insight.
Congrats Mick! What does being made an Officer of the Order of Australia mean to you?
Well, this award is about the closest thing you can get to knighthood in Australia, so for me it’s a huge honour. Obviously, being a proud Australian, to be recognised this way is pretty huge.
I think it goes beyond just being a surfer – obviously I’ve grown up as a surfer and that’s always been my identity, but I think this is more a reflection of the charity work I’ve done. That’s the sort of stuff you never expect to win awards for really, you just do them. So to be recognised for that work is a huge honour.
When did you find out about the award?
I got a letter about it late last year, but I didn’t find out about the full award until last week. They put you into a selection process and then go silent until the decision is made! It was definitely a bit of a surprise.
Does it feel surreal?
Yeah, definitely. Us Aussies pay attention to the different awards on Australia Day; who gets Australian of the Year, who becomes this, who becomes that. And surfers have never really gotten that much recognition in the everyday world, especially from politicians, so it's very surreal. It’s definitely something that shows how far surfing has come I guess.
Mick Fanning on recent duties in the Arctic Circle
© Matt Grimsaeth/Red Bull Content Pool
Do you know why, specifically, they selected you?
Honestly I think that being a surfer is just an added bonus. From what I was reading about the selection process it’s would have been decided more so because of the charity work that I’ve done over the years. As I said before, you just do these things out of the goodness of your heart, you never really want an award for ‘em but sometimes that’s what you end up with! It’s a pretty special thing.
Do you have to make a speech, or is there a ceremony or anything?
Well it all gets announced on Australia Day and then later in the year I have to go to a ceremony. I was thinking that my Australia Day could have ended up full of suits!
Do you know if the award has any ongoing repercussions, or is it a one-off?
I think it’s a one-off, and then you get to put a couple of initials after your name!
And then you change your email signature?
Ha! I don’t even have one of them, so, I guess not?
That’s probably a good thing. Finally, which feels better; a world title or being an Officer of the Order of Australia?
Oh man, they’re totally different feelings. I don’t know. To get recognised outside of surfing is extremely special. It’s not something that you think will ever happen. I’m really honoured.
Congratulations Mick, even the Queen knows you're a legend. How good is that!
