Lyn Thomas awarded OAM for service to hockey

Hockey Queensland is delighted to congratulate Lyn Thomas on her Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia (OAM) announced in the Australia Day 2022 honours list.

Lyn Thomas has been involved in hockey in Queensland for 64 years. Lyn played representative hockey as a Primary and Secondary Schoolgirl and then Queensland Schoolgirls and Brisbane open teams.

Lyn has spent many decades in umpiring and technical roles at a club, Association, and State level.

Her majority of involvement has been in the Officiating arena and has included International, State and domestic games throughout Queensland as well as interstate.

She has officiated at many and all types of State and National Championships. Lyn has taught other up-and-coming Technical representatives to improve their skills and further their own ‘career’ in the sport.

In 1993 Lyn was presented with a Long Service Award by Queensland Women’s Hockey Association (which later became Hockey Queensland), then in 2012 she was awarded Hockey Queensland Life Membership.

Hockey Queensland’s Achievement Award for Technical Official of the Year is named after Lyn Thomas and fellow stalwart Ronda Nix OAM.

Brisbane Women Hockey Association awarded Lyn with Life Membership in 1990, and the Most Promising Senior Umpire award is named the Lyn Thomas Shield.

Lyn has played a key role in identifying, recruiting and mentoring emerging Technical representatives, assisting them in their ‘officiating career’ in the sport, ensuring this key role in the sport of hockey continues to be supported at all levels.

Enthusiastic, skilled and energetic volunteers of the calibre of Lyn, ensure that all those involved are able to perform to their best in a sport they love.

Lyn Thomas’ service and contribution to our sport cannot be underestimated.