Classic Wallaby #483 Richard 'Dick' Marks has been appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division, in the King's Birthday 2024 Honours List.
Dick received the award for significant service to rugby as a player, coach, and administrator, noting his achievements across 50+ years' service to the game, including:
International Rugby Board
- Past Inaugural Member, Technical Committee, 1989.
- Past Co-Convenor, Asian Rugby Conference.
Rugby Australia
- Inaugural National Coaching Director, 1974-1995.
- Captain, 1967.
- Player, 17 Tests, 1962-1967.
- Player, 51 matches.
- Co-Author, 'Rugby Forward Play, Australian Rugby Union Coaching Scheme', Book, 1970s.
Queensland Rugby Union
- Past Vice-President, and Board Member.
- Delegate, Rugby Australia, up to 2004.
- Player and/or Captain, Queensland Rugby Union, 1962-1969, and 1972.
- Life Member, current.
Other
- Public Speaker and Master of Ceremonies.
- Author, 'The Descent of Australian Rugby', book, 2021.
- Author, 'The Rise, the Fall and the blueprint for recovery', book, 2021.
Awards and Recognition include:
- Inductee, Queensland Sport Hall of Fame, 2020.
- Recipient, Joe French Award, Rugby Australia, 2014.
Born in Bundaberg, Marks was a brilliant student and sportsman at Brisbane Grammar School. He spent four years in the First XI and two in the First XV.
One of Australia’s youngest Wallabies, Marks was also a ferocious tackler and a hard, straight runner with the ability to break the line.
In 1962 he won his first Test cap in the centres alongside Beres Ellwood in the 0-3, 2nd Test loss to New Zealand at Carisbrook.
Dick Marks played 17 Tests for Australia in a six-year international career.
To learn more about Dick Marks, read his full Classic Wallabies bio here.
