Gareth Saunders OAM, our Business Intelligence Team Leader who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division) for his work with parkrun Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year, was presented with the medal last Friday.
With his family looking on, Gareth, received the medal from the Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Paul De Jersey AC at Government House.
“It was a very memorable experience and I was honoured to be able to accept the medal on behalf of all the team who make parkrun happen,” Gareth said.
Gareth said he was humbled by the award and acknowledged the hard work of many other volunteers who have made parkrun such a community event.
“It’s only through the tireless efforts of volunteers that the events happen so I’m recognising the teams who make it possible,” Gareth said.
Across Australia, parkrun Australia has more than 450,000 registered runners and 222 event locations. Gareth described parkrun Australia as much more than just ‘a series of running events’.
“The weekly event has been the portal for many people with many goals,” he said.
“It’s great to see people come for a 5km run or a walk and reach their goals, achieve something and enjoy the sense of community parkrun can provide.”
His own involvement in parkrun began six years ago. He was parkrun Australia President from 2014-2015, National Operations Manager from 2011-2014 and the New Farm Event Director from 2011-2012. He is currently the South Bank Event Director, a position held since 2012.
