Every Australia Day, staff at The Knight recognise a worthy recipient(s), for our ‘Australian Knight’ award, who has demonstrated qualities that personify those of a Knight.
This year, we wish to acknowledge Jim Stynes as our Australian of the Year, our Australian Knight.
Click here to view our 2012 Australia Day Card
The Knight donated $10,000 to the The Reach Foundation.
Jim Styne’s Bio
James “Jim” Stynes’ OAM (born 23 April 1966) is an Irish former professional Australian rules footballer who is currently a businessman, philanthropist, writer, youth worker, qualified teacher and Chairman of Melbourne Football Club since 2008. Jim was diagnosed with Melanoma Cancer in 2009 and has demonstrated great heroics by fighting cancer ever since and continues to inspire others to do the same
Jim’s rise from obscurity to national icon is the stuff of legend. Arriving in Australia from Ireland at age 18 with no prior knowledge of Australian Rules Football, he soon captured the attention of football fans and ultimately the wider Australian public through his fierce but fair sportsmanship.
On the football field, Stynes entire AFL career was played with the Melbourne Football Club as a ruckman. He is an official legend of the club, being a member of its Team of the Century. His honours include the 1991 Brownlow Medal and four Melbourne Football Club Best & Fairest awards, equalling the club record. His most extraordinary achievement was playing an AFL record-breaking 244 consecutive games between Round 17 1987 and Round 4 1998. Jim was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2003.
In 1994, whilst still playing football, Jim co-founded The Reach Foundation with Australian film director Paul Currie. Jim and Paul were two young men who recognised that too often the greatness in young people is hidden behind fear, anger or hurt. Reach was born from a desire to inspire every young person to believe in themselves and get the most out of life. Reach is now a national organisation that has positively impacted the lives of over 500,000 young Australians through school and community based programs.
Jim has received numerous awards for his work with Reach and in the community including Melbournian of the Year (2010), Order of Australia and Churchill Fellowship (2007), and Victorian of the Year (2001 and 2003).
Jim has worked on government advisory boards, including the 1997 Victorian Government Suicide Task Force .
He remains actively involved with Reach and has recently developed and launched Jimbo Super Muesli despite his ongoing battle with cancer.
A true story of inspiration for all Australians.