Paul Stevens awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia

A well-deserved honour for a true community leader! Southport Sharks proudly congratulates Club Patron Paul Stevens on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his incredible contributions to the Gold Coast.

Today, we congratulate our Club Patron, Paul Stevens on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (service to the community of the Gold Coast) at the Australia Day Awards.

Paul has had a long history with Southport Sharks and the Gold Coast Community. Following his retirement from the local politic arena where he held the position of CEO of Gold Coast City Council, Paul joined our Board in 2004. For the next 18 years, he served with excellence and diligence. His leadership and influence were peerless, and after resigning in 2022, Paul’s long-standing and valued contribution, led to him being named as one of our Club Patrons.

Paul also supported the community through various board roles, including:

  • Honorary Secretary/Treasurer, Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame Inc., 2001-2021
  • Chairman, Australian Special Olympics National Games, 2006
  • Director and Secretary, Gold Coast Academy of Sport, 2017-2021

In recognition of his outstanding service, Paul was named Gold Coast Australia Day Citizen of the Year in 2014.

On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff, we congratulate Paul on this well-deserved honour.

Similar Articles

These articles are similar to the one you are reading.

This week marks the end of an era, as Rick Fankhauser steps down from his position—closing a remarkable chapter of leadership, legacy, and lifelong dedication.

The Southport Sharks would like to congratulate VFL Vice-Captain Zac Foot who is set to play his 50th game for the club this Saturday against the Gold Coast Suns.

The Northern Gold Coast’s newest go-to hotspot for margaritas and mezcal, tequila and tacos, Kaktus Bar, will officially open next week, on Thursday 18 December 2025.

Bridging the gap between education and real-world experience. Through our Community Study and Development Program, Southport Sharks has partnered with Griffith University to provide students with valuable, hands-on hospitality and marketing experience.

Sustainability and sport go hand in hand. Southport Sharks has teamed up with Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) to champion eco-friendly initiatives and create a greener future for our community.

Southport Sharks is proud to announce Emma Robertson as the winner of the 2025 Golden Shark – Employee of the Year.

Over 12 hours, our team and members will take on a continuous bike challenge — with someone riding every 30 minutes — to raise awareness and funds for those who need it most.

Celebrate Box Coffee's 11th Birthday with free coffee, free food, a live DJ and the chance to take home $500 cash!

Southport Sharks is excited to reintroduce our Community Benefits Fund, with Macleods Refuge as our newest charity partner. This Gold Coast-based not-for-profit provides safe emergency accommodation for women and children escaping family violence.

Southport Sharks is proud to celebrate a significant milestone, surpassing $200,000 in financial support to the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. Since 2011, we have helped fund the Cancer Patient Transport Service, community gardens, and medical equipment.

Southport Sharks has been named the 2025 Gold Coast Club of the Year at the 57th Gold Coast Sports Awards, proudly presented by Triple M.

Saturday 7 February 2026 will go down as a historic day not only for Southport Sharks, but for the entire City of Gold Coast. In a major coup for the region, Southport Sharks hosted the Queensland leg of Laneway Festival for the first time in the 21-year tenure of the event. Over 37,000 ...