Basil Sellers, NSW volunteers recognised in 2026 Australia Day Honours

Cricket NSW Vice Patron and Life Member Basil Sellers was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division for his distinguished service to the community through philanthropy and leadership, and to sports administration. The honour recognises his continued and ongoing generosity since receiving the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2003. 

For 20 years, Sellers’ extensive support has provided NSW’s best emerging male and female cricketers access to opportunities and skills to aid their transition to NSW contracted programs. In all, 178 players have received scholarships to what is now known as the Basil Sellers Emerging Player Program, with 23 of them going on to play for Australia including Pat Cummins, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Steve Smith.  

Sellers’ longstanding connection with Cricket NSW dates to his initial appointment to the Board from 1984 to 1987. He was named a Life Member in 2009 and Vice Patron in 2022. His extensive contribution to cricket also extends to his support of adjacent organisations, most notably as a co-founder and benefactor of the Bradman Museum, and benefactor and Life Member of the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust. He is also a prominent supporter of the McGrath Foundation, Steve Waugh Foundation, Chappell Foundation and LBW Trust. 

There were two NSW-based recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to cricket. David Millott has devoted almost 50 years to the sport via numerous administrative, coaching and playing roles within the Prestons Hornets Cricket Club and Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Association. Michael Porter has served the game honourably in the Armidale region for 45 years as an administrator, umpire, player and curator with the Armidale District Cricket Association, Easts Cricket Club – Armidale and other local bodies. He received the Contribution to Country Cricket award from Country Cricket NSW in 2024. 

A further seven members of the NSW cricket community received an OAM for their services to a range of organisations. Thomas Parker, the well-known former Head Curator of the Sydney Cricket Ground from 1997-2017 and Bankstown Oval prior, was recognised for his service to sport as a greenskeeper. Others recognised for their local area contributions, including to cricket clubs and associations, were Anthony Keating (Prestons), Robert Lewis (Narrabri, Quirindi, Tamworth), Ian Mackay (Wollongong), John Spence (Sydney Uni + Balmain-Drummoyne) John Weeks (Maitland and Thirroul) and Richard Wills (Ballina). 

Lee Germon, Cricket NSW Chief Executive Officer, said: 

“Congratulations to all recipients on the 2026 Australia Day Honours list and thank you for your exceptional contribution to cricket in NSW. 

“Our community is indebted to the volunteers who serve the game we all love with passion, expertise and a tireless work ethic. Thank you for ensuring future generations continue to receive the opportunity to play and love cricket. 

“I would like to make mention of Cricket NSW Vice Patron and Life Member Basil Sellers, whose generosity has paved the way for some of our most talented emerging players to achieve their ambitions and potential. Thank you for your extraordinary support – we hope to see many more Basil Sellers Scholars representing our state and country.” 

2026 Australia Day Honours recipients 

Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) 

Mr Basil Alfred Darrell Sellers AO
For distinguished service to the community through philanthropy and leadership, and to sports administration. 

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 

Mr Anthony Sean Keating
For service to the community through a range of organisations. 

Mr Robert Malcolm Lewis
For service to the community of the New England Region. 

Mr Ian Norman Mackay
For service to the community of the Illawarra. 

Mr David Millott
For services to cricket. 

Mr Thomas George Parker
For service to sport as a greenskeeper. 

Mr Michael Richard Porter
For service to cricket. 

Mr John Barker Spence
For service to sport, and to the community. 

Mr John William Weeks
For service to secondary education. 

Mr Richard Noel Wills
For service to veterans and their families.