He's played rugby league at the highest level but former Queensland MP Mick Veivers says being recognised on Australia Day is the ultimate honour.
The former Australia forward has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to sport and the public service.
"It's all very humbling, something like this never crossed my mind," the 75-year-old told AAP.
Mr Veivers began playing rugby league with Souths Magpies in Brisbane, a club that produced the likes of Mal Meninga, in the late 1950s.
In a decorated career he went on to don the green and gold in six test matches.
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He became the first player to represent Queensland and NSW in consecutive years after moving to Sydney to link with Manly-Warringah, where he played from 1965-67.
After hanging up his boots he embarked on a 14-year career as a commentator with Sportscene on Brisbane's Channel 7, although his time in front of the camera got off to a shaky start.
"I got the call when I was out on my dairy farm, and I thought it was for radio," he said.
"When they told me to dress up and we started driving up to Mount Coot-tha for a test run, I thought something was up.
"You learn quickly though, we had to."
His passion for agriculture saw him make a transition to politics with the National Party.
He was member for Southport for 14 years, and also served as the Minister for Emergency Services and Sport from 1996-98.
Living on the Gold Coast, Mr Veivers continues to pour time and energy into his community and helped found the Gold Coast Academy of Sport.
"I think sport at a junior level can really steer people in the right direction," he said.
"But this is all very overwhelming ... I was just doing things because it felt like the right thing to do."
