Introducing ABC NewsRadio sports presenter Debbie Spillane, one of the shire’s newest residents and a somewhat surprised recipient of a Queen’s Birthday Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

“I moved to Valla Beach two months ago – this came in a letter with a really fancy-looking insignia just before I left Sydney … I was very surprised but also feel that given I am close to retiring, it rounds things out nicely.”

Debbie’s citation thanks her for her “significant service to media as a sports commentator and journalist, and as a role model for women in broadcasting”.

There follows a long list of her achievements, which began in 1984, when she was the first woman sports commentator employed by the ABC and almost immediately found herself on the plane to the Los Angeles Olympics.

“It was a wonderful experience, although I wasn’t so popular with some of the other guys, who thought it should have been them on the plane,” she laughs.

Sport has always been part of Debbie’s life.

“I grew up in a sports mad family in Sydney’s inner west.

“Sport, especially footy (rugby league) was part of the family routine … and then the topic of strident dinner table debates.”

Her career has also seen her co-host Triple J’s drive-time program, ‘Hard Coffee’ with Ian Rogerson, which gave her the opportunity to interview both Paul McCartney and Keith Richards.

“People always think of my sports interviews but those two were definitely my interview highlights.”

A stint with Andrew Denton on his ABC sports/comedy TV show ‘Live & Sweaty’ was another branch of her many-faceted career, as well as being media manager for the NRL's Canterbury Bulldogs and National Basketball teams the Sydney Kings and the West Sydney Razorbacks.

Another highlight was hosting Hens FC, an ABC sports show with all female panelists.

“It was so lively and great to meet some of the young women in the sports world,” Debbie said.