Netball NSW would like to acknowledge and congratulate the members of our netball community who were honoured with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the General Division yesterday.
John Hahn (OAM)
A Life member of both Netball NSW and Camden and District Netball Association, John has served the Camden and District Netball Association since 1987 in a variety of positions such as President, Treasurer, Umpire Convenor and is the current Vice President.
A Life Member of Netball NSW since 2018, John also served as a Board Member, Company Secretary and has been a member of various Board Committees.
A National B Grade Umpire, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and in 2018 he became the first man to be awarded Life Membership of Netball NSW.
When funding was approved for a new Netball NSW home in Olympic Park, John was appointed as a member of the Netball Central Project Control Group to oversee the construction of the Centre.
His industry knowledge and expertise was invaluable and today the centre welcomes over 300,000 people through its doors annually.
John Hahn OAM
Ruth Havrlant (OAM)
Ruth has made an outstanding contribution to the game at state, national and international levels.
She has served as a Netball Australia Bench Official, National Timer and Scorer since 2002 and officiated at the World Cup in 2015 and Commonwealth Games in 2018 – in addition to international tests, Suncorp Super Netball, national tournaments and Netball NSW competitions.
She was awarded Netball NSW Life Membership in 2020 and is a former Vice President and Director. She is the NSW member of the Recognition Reference Panel and has been a member of various Netball NSW Committees.
She is the current Vice President and Life Member of the Ku-ring-gai Netball Association where she has been a member since 1993.
Ruth is also a current Assessor and Mentor of the Netball NSW Bench Officials and has been instrumental in the development of umpires and bench officials throughout NSW.
Ruth Havrlant OAMNetball NSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner congratulated both:
"On behalf of Netball NSW, I would like to congratulate both John and Ruth on their momentous achievements in the game and the prestigious Honours bestowed on them.
"As the Governor General said, Order of Australia Medal recipients represent the very best of us in this country. Both John and Ruth have done so much for the game at all levels, and this recognition is very deserved.
"As well as being Life Members of Netball NSW, they continue to give to the sport to this very day and we are delighted for them."
The Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, said:
“As the list so vividly showcases, so many Australians continue to give the best of themselves across many endeavours, in the interest of others.
“It is rewarding to see an increase in the number of awards, which reflects more nominations and recognition of the many Australians who inspire the best in all of us.”
