Recognising his passion for golf and long-term commitment to community service, Mullumbimby’s Matthew Laverty received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) from the 2026 King’s Birthday honours list.
Matthew began his career as a Professional Golfers Association (PGA) professional at the age of 16 at the prestigious Concord Golf Club in Sydney. He has since built one of Australia’s most respected corporate golf, golf club consulting, and event management businesses Laverty Golf.
In 1999, Matthew partnered with Gary Dawson OAM to establish the Charity Challenge Golf Series, creating a unique fundraising platform that would harness the power of golf to support charities throughout Australia. The series was officially launched in 2002 and has since become one of the nation’s most successful charity golf initiatives, raising many millions of dollars for charitable organisations and worthy causes. Under Matthew’s leadership and vision, the Charity Challenge has brought together corporate Australia, sporting identities and community leaders to create sustainable fundraising outcomes while fostering valuable business and personal relationships.
Following a near-fatal accident involving his brother Peter in October 1980, Matthew, Peter and his father, George Albert ‘Sandy’ Laverty, established the annual Laverty Charity Golf Day at Mullumbimby Golf Club to support the Brunswick Valley Rescue Squad.
Family footsteps
He follows in the footsteps of his grandmother Dot Mules OAM, who was recognised for her dedication to helping others and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her instrumental role in establishing Meals on Wheels across the North Coast. His grandfather, Bob Mules, served as President of Byron Shire Council and was a highly respected community leader, and Matthew’s mother, Gae Laverty (née Mules), devoted more than 30 years as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, providing care and assistance to countless members of the community.
Through his leadership, generosity and ability to inspire others, he has demonstrated how sport can be used as a vehicle for positive social impact. Whether supporting national charities through the Charity Challenge Golf Series or championing local causes through the Laverty Charity Golf Day, Matthew has dedicated countless hours to improving the lives of others.
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