An Armidale man who has dedicated almost 80 years to the Armidale Rams as a player, coach and volunteer is one of eight people involved with Rugby League to be recognised today in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List.
Cyril “Jimmy” Tanner has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to Rugby League in Armidale which has also seen him awarded Life Membership of both the Armidale Junior Rugby League and Senior Rugby League.
A total 581 Australians were recognised today with 413 awarded an OAM including the following from the NSW Rugby League family:
- The late Gerald Doyle, for service to the community of the Illawarra region (Illawarra District Rugby League)
- The late Robert Fleeton, of Moorebank, for service to sports administration, and to the community of Moorebank (Moorebank Rams Junior Rugby League Football Club)
- Gordon Gorton, of Rutherford, for service to the community through a range of service organisations (Cessnock Goannas Rugby League Club)
- Lance Harrigan, of Terrigal, for service to the community through a range of organisations (South Sydney Referees Association, NSW Rugby League Referees Association)
- Mark Holton, of Terrigal, for service to the community through a range of organisations (NSW Rugby League Referees Association)
- Brian Jack, of Aberglasslyn, for service to the community of Maitland (Newcastle Knights Rugby League)
- Raymond Strong, of Berry, for service to the community of Berry (Berry Shoalhaven Heads Rugby League Club (Magpies), South Coast Group Sevens Rugby League).
