Former longstanding Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy awarded Kings Birthday Honours

Former Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy has today been awarded Kings Birthday Honours.

The King Birthday Honours include awards in the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division, meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

Kennedy has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to snow sport development and advancement in Australia, and to international sport governance.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Order of Australia and very conscious that this recognition reflects the contribution of many people over a long period of time.

“I have been fortunate to spend more than 30 years helping build and advance Australian snow sport nationally and internationally, and I am incredibly proud of the system, community, and opportunities that now exist for athletes, coaches, and staff to succeed both on and off the snow,” he said.

Kennedy’s contribution to the snow industry was highlighted by his 23 year tenure as the CEO of Snow Australia, but perhaps it was also the significant milestones along the way that he’s most proud of.

“I have spent more than 30 years involved in Australian snow sport across coaching, athlete development, high performance, administration, governance, and international sport roles, including more than 23 years as CEO of Snow Australia - the longest serving National Sporting Organisation CEO in Australian history,” Kennedy said.

“Over that time, I have worked alongside many outstanding people to help grow and advance the sport nationally, strengthen athlete pathways, support Olympic and Paralympic success, and improve opportunities for athletes, coaches, and the broader snow sport community.

“Some of the key milestones include the unification of the national sport system, the integration of para sport across the organisation, the development of the National Snowsports Training Centre in Jindabyne, and the continued growth and professionalisation of the sport across multiple disciplines.

“I have also been fortunate to contribute internationally through various roles with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

“It is difficult to fully measure growth and impact over more than 30 years, but the journey of Snow Australia and the broader winter sport system probably says enough.

“We started as what was essentially a small “kitchen table” organisation with limited resources and only a handful of athletes competing consistently at the highest level. We struggled for relevance in what is broadly considered a “Summer sport county”.  Today, following the outcomes of Milano-Cortina 2026, which included the most successful Olympics by a sport other than swimming over the past 20 years, winter sport is now recognised as a Tier 1 contributor within the Australian sporting system.

“Importantly, none of this has been achieved individually. Many of the people involved have been on the journey for decades and are equally deserving of recognition for the role they have played in building the sport and the system we have today,” he said.