Private Investiture Ceremony Ms Clare Polkinghorne

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Football Australia, Ms Heather Garriock; Chief Operating Officer, Brisbane Roar Football Club, Mr Zac Anderson; President, Wynnum Wolves Football Club, Mr Rabieh Krayem; Recipient, Ms Clare Polkinghorne OAM, your family members and friends, welcome.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I welcome you all here today to celebrate the achievements of an exceptional Queenslander, known to her teammates in the Australian Women’s National Football Team — better known as the Matildas — as “Polks”.

Today, Clare receives her Medal of the Order of Australia “for service to football”, paying tribute to a sterling sporting career that started as a youngster playing “fiercely” in the family backyard and with the Wynnum Wolves Juniors —where she was quickly spotted for showing incredible potential.

From the beginning, it was clear there was no holding Clare back, because aside from excelling on the field, she possesses characteristics that would prove to be essential for the development of a champion—tenacity, a strong work ethic and composure, mixed with a profound sense of humility and authenticity.

As she moved from the “bright lights” of Tingalpa, to representing her country as defender on some of the most prominent pitches in the world, she never lost sight of these foundational qualities, which have earned her immense respect, and a reputation for being a tough competitor, with an enormous heart.

Her achievements—over an 18-year-long professional football career —would fill my entire speech:

• after debuting with the Matildas aged just 17, she went on to play in five FIFA Women’s World Cups;
• represented our country in three Olympic Games;
• was selected to play in Australia’s Team of the Decade; and
• after a whopping 169 appearances, became Australia’s most capped international footballer—but these are just some of her career highlights.

She has been a valued part of club teams here, and in Sweden, Norway and the United States, now has an A-League medal named in her honour, and the Wynnum Wolves have announced that their new Football Centre will bear her name.

In July 2023, I was fortunate to watch Clare play with the Matildas against Nigeria at the Suncorp Stadium, in a dramatic game in front of a 49,000-strong crowd.

Despite a narrow defeat that day, this experience gave me a real sense of the immense passion and joy this amazing team bring to the sport, and how much impact they have had on inspiring young girls and women to pursue recreational or professional football.

After the World Cup, the “Matildas effect” saw a surge in participation, and an increase in opportunities and new programs on offer, which is music to my ears, because as a former medical professional, and as Governor, I have always been committed to improving health and wellbeing for all Queenslanders. 

I know that this is also important to Clare, who, even after playing her final international match, and welcoming her first child, remains dedicated to helping the game and players grow and passing on her wisdom and experience to the next generation.

Yet, despite global success and a life in the spotlight, Clare remains deeply grounded, valuing the love and encouragement of those who have supported her.

Key among these is her partner, Louise, mother, Britha, brothers Liam and Tom, and her late father, Tony, who sadly lost his battle to cancer in 2019, and who taught Clare the value of self-belief and being a good person. 

Today’s OAM may focus on Clare’s outstanding services to her sport, but her positive influence extends far beyond the pitch. As well as being regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, she is above all a person who leads with understanding and consideration for others.

Congratulations, Clare, and on behalf of all Queenslanders, and all Australians, I hope that today’s honour demonstrates how much gratitude we share for your contribution to football, and to making our sporting fields places where, as your Dad would perhaps say, you “work hard and have fun”.  Please enjoy this special occasion.