Erin Phillips OAM represented Australia in basketball in the Beijing 2008 Olympics where she won a silver medal with the Opals who contested the gold medal game against the USA.

She was co-vice captain for the Opals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Erin played in both the WNBL and WNBA, retiring from basketball in 2018. She has been recognised for services to basketball and AFL football.

Lauren Mitchell OAM competed in gymnastics at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and again at the London 2012 Games. She also became the first female Australian gymnast to win a world title, claiming gold in the floor exercise at the 2010 World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam.

Lauren has been recognised for service to gymnastics.

Anna Lao AM has been honoured for her contribution to Australian badminton and services to the multi-cultural community. Anna competed at the Barcelona Games in 1992 singles and doubles where she made the quarter finals in each. She also founded the Australian Badminton Academy.

Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates AC says the three Olympians not only reached the pinnacle of their sports as players, they have also made major contributions to the sports they love.

“Anna, Erin and Lauren have left an indelible impression on their sports.

“Anna is Australia’s best performed badminton player at an Olympics. Erin has shown great resilience to represent Australia at two Games and later coached basketball at the professional level. And Lauren set new marks for gymnastics in Australia as the first women to win gold at a world championship as well as Commonwealth Games gold medals.

“My congratulations to each of them for their competitive careers and the way they have given back to their sports. Each has been a leader in her own right,” Mr Coates concluded.