Awards

National and State

• Member of Order of Australia AM 1978
• Commendation for Brave Conduct (Aust) 2013. (The Governor-General of Australia)
• Bronze Medal for Bravery 2012 (The Royal Humane Society of Australasia Inc.)
• Victorian of the Year 2009
• Melburnian of the Year 2006
• Recipient Centenary Medal 2003
• Senior Citizen of the Year 1994

Sports/Australian Football

• Legend of Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2006, inducted as member 1987
• Australian Sports Medal ASM 2000
• Inaugural inductee and Legend AFL Hall of Fame 1996
• AFL Coaching Legend 2010 (AFL Coaches Association)
• Outstanding Contribution to Sport, Lord Mayor’s Award 2009. (Victorian Sport Awards)
• Torchbearer Olympic Games Sydney 2000
• Torchbearer (“Walked on water”) Opening ceremony Commonwealth Games Melbourne 2006
• Legend Melbourne Football Club Hall of Fame 2003
• Melbourne Football Club No. 1 Ticketholder 2009-2011

Life memberships

• Australian Football League
• Melbourne Football Club
• Carlton Football Club
• North Melbourne Football Club
• Sydney Swans Football Club

Sculptures

• Bronze Statue honouring his sporting achievements outside the MCG unveiled 2003

Other honours include

• Nominated for Australian of the Year 2010.
• Knight of The Order of St Thomas of Acre (KStT) 2009. For putting himself at risk to defend a woman who was bashed in the street on 1 January 2009. Bestowed by an Order started by Richard the Lionheart during the Crusades.
• Voted 3rd most chivalrous Australian - 1st by Victorians - 2009 . (Media survey)
• Healthy Ageing Citizen of the Year 2006. For being a leader and role model of healthy living; by the International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Longevity.
• Victoria University Legend 2006
• First honorary Doctor of Football 1996. (Arts Faculty, Monash University)
• Ambassador For the Republican Movement 1994