Swimming Australia congratulates recipients of King's Birthday Honours

Swimming Australia today congratulates six dedicated Australians from around the nation on their recognition in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, including Swimming Australia’s Executive General Manager of High Performance Pathways, Coaching and Participation Gary Barclay (pictured).

A familiar and friendly face on pool deck for more than two decades, Barclay’s commitment to swimming has evolved from a competitive swimmer to coach, to CEO of Nunawading Swim Club and now to leading the next wave of Dolphins.

Barclay is joined by fellow Victorians Donald Alchin and Maxwell Batey. Alchin dedicated more than 40 years to the sport and community as a technical official, with the Swimming Victoria Life Member saying he was “amazed and thrilled” to receive an OAM.

Wangaratta local Batey served as a swimming and water polo coach for more than 55 years and established learn to swim programs across Northern Victoria. In his 20s, Batey built one of Wangaratta’s first indoor heated pools and founded Prestige Swim School, which he ran for more than 30 years.

Just a week before he celebrates his 50th birthday, Sunshine Coast’s Clinton Stanley was recognised for his service to people with disability through swimming. The Down syndrome swimmer has represented Australia at the World Masters Games and he’s broken almost 80 Down syndrome swimming world records throughout his career.

Stanley has raised thousands of dollars for charitable organisations, with a focus on supporting swimmers with Down syndrome and for Dementia Australia following his father’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease.

Another dedicated swimmer demonstrating that age has no limits is 86-year-old former school teacher Kay Burton from Springwood, New South Wales. A champion swimmer, Burton claimed four gold medals at the 2025 World Aquatics Masters Championships and set two NSW records in the process.

Tasmania’s John Pugh rounded out the King’s Birthday Honours recipients for service to swimming. Pugh, a Life Member of Masters Swimming Australia and President of the organisation from 2006 to 2011, also served as a coach, mentor coach and committee member of the South Esk Swimming Club from 2017 to 2025.

Swimming Australia is grateful for the outstanding contribution of this year’s OAM recipients and again congratulates them on their well-deserved recognition.