Elaine's lifetime work for hockey rewarded

Elaine Carr has given 60 years of her life to hockey in the Illawarra as a player, coach and administrator. Today, she receives something in return - a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Mrs Carr's six decades of hockey began at the age of 13, excelling at club level.

"I was a fast runner," she humbly said to explain her early prowess.

She was then selected for Illawarra and NSW teams. Establishing herself as an elite talent at state level, Mrs Carr was then picked to represent Australia, beginning a decade at the national level which included over 100 games and eight overseas tours including to Japan, Canada, England and Germany.

Full list of Illawarra awardees

"It was a matter of playing hockey but saving your money in case you get picked to go overseas," she laughed. "When I was playing, we paid our own way."

She nominates scoring a game-saving goal against England at Edgbaston as a playing career highlight, but it is her work off the hockey pitch that has most directly led to her inclusion in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Holding a number of different off-field positions, both before and after hanging up the hockey stick, Mrs Carr served as president of the Illawarra Women's Hockey Association, director of the Illawarra Hockey Board of Management, and booking officer for Illawarra Sports Stadium, as well as coach and manager for many local and NSW teams.

Her lifetime of service saw her inducted into the Hockey NSW Hall of Fame in 2008, with today's honour another accolade.

"Even after I finished playing, I felt like I could help others in the game," she said of her continued involvement in the sport.

"You keep going back to the sport that you love. It's exciting and satisfying to see kids come through the ranks, who are dedicated and have goals to be a good player."