ROD LAVER MBE, AC
Tennis great
Rod Laver has spent almost half a century living in the United States, but never entertained the idea of applying for an American passport. Australia's greatest male tennis player wears his nationality proudly on his California licence plates. AUSSIE was already taken, so instead it's spelt AUZZE. 
Fellow drivers toot Laver as he tootles around near his Carlsbad home, but these days the only player to twice win the grand slam plays less tennis, more golf.
He returns annually to the stadium, the centre court at Melbourne Park, that since 2000 has borne his name, an honour he regards as "the crowning jewel of my whole career".
Rockhampton's most famous export won 11 major singles titles, and, in 1962, all four in the same year. In 1969, when Open tennis began, he swept all four slams again.
Considering how many greats Australia has produced, Laver gets a particular thrill every time he walks into his eponymous arena on his annual visit.
"Yes, I had a good career," he said, understating things just a little.
And the award? What does that mean to a modest and revered champion who has meant so much to Australia?
"It's just unbelievable to think it was just from competing, playing tennis, being with five [champion] Davis Cup teams and being able to travel, representing Australia in touring teams around the world," he says.
"It's just a huge honour to be recognised and thought of this way."