Glenn McGrath receives King’s Birthday honours for his work for with the McGrath Foundation

From Narromine wheat and sheep farmer to the founding president of one of Australia’s biggest charities, and a stellar sporting career in between. It’s been quite the journey for former Australian Test cricketer Glenn McGrath. As of Monday, McGrath can add Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division to his list of achievements. McGrath, 54, has been recognised for “distinguished service to community health” in the King’s Birthday Honour’s List through his work with the McGrath Foundation. McGrath established the foundation in 2002 with his wife Jane, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 at 31 and died in 2008 at 42. The foundation funds 223 breast care nurses who have supported more than 137,000 individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer across Australia. In the past year, McGrath Foundation breast care nurses have spent 294,799 hours looking after cancer patients. Best known for its support of Australia’s annual pink Test in Sydney, the foundation sold more than 322,000 virtual “Pink Seats” earlier this year, raising more than $6.44 million towards its goal of employing 250 breast care nurses. “The generosity of the Australian public is incredible, and seeing so many people uniting in pink to support the McGrath Foundation has been overwhelming,” McGrath said after this year’s pink test. McGrath, from country NSW, took 563 wickets in 124 Tests at an average of 21.64, capturing five wickets in an innings 29 times and 10 in a match three times. Only Shane Warne has taken more wickets for Australia (708). He also snared 381 wickets in one-day internationals at 22.02. McGrath even had a crowd chant “Ooh aah Glenn McGrath” sung in tribute during his playing days. At six feet five inches (1.95 metres), McGrath relied as much on metronomic action as he did speed, a copybook upright delivery stride helping to generate bounce and movement from the most pedestrian of pitches. A master of mind games, he regularly forecast the results of series and made a habit of targeting opposition batsmen in the lead-up to big series, notably England’s Michael Atherton and West Indian great Brian Lara, who he both dismissed 15 times. McGrath’s crowning glory was a 26-wicket domination in Australia’s 2007 World Cup triumph, the year he retired. McGrath Foundation CEO, Holly Masters expressed her congratulations and gratitude for Glenn’s tireless work for the foundation over the past 19 years. “The entire McGrath Foundation extends our heartfelt congratulations to Glenn on his inclusion in the King’s Birthday Honours List,” she said. “This is an incredible achievement acknowledging Glenn’s tireless advocacy for families impacted by breast cancer and his work to ensure no one with breast cancer in Australia misses out on the care of a breast care nurse.”