Former Test cricket captain Steve Waugh was named on Sunday as Australian of the Year, following a long line of sportsmen to receive one of the country's most prestigious awards.
Waugh retired from cricket earlier this month after leading his team to a drawn Test series with India.
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Waugh, 38, was also recognised for his charity work after he began sponsoring and raising money for children in India who suffer from leprosy.
"I've said before what a great privilege it is to represent your country. This award takes this privilege to a new and totally unbelievable level for me," Waugh said in a televised statement.
"In accepting, I hope the award will help the focus on me to (be) about more than just cricket.
"If it is meant as a recognition in some way of the other work I've done in the community in Australia and in India then I'm grateful indeed."
