Janine Hayes is the latest Australian skydiver to receive national recognition for her contributions to our sport.

King's Birthday Honours

On behalf of the Board and Management, I wish to congratulate Janine Hayes on being honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this week’s honours list.

Janine has been an icon of our sport for many years and is well known around the country, as well as internationally.

J9, as she is known, has been a skilled national representative in Classic Accuracy, Large Formation and 4-Way Formation Skydiving. She’s an Instructor A, display jumper, coach and mentor, who has been a part of sport parachuting for 44 years.

Over her APF journey J9 has taken on many volunteer roles, from the Board to National Coaching Director, Chair of the Awards Validation Unit, and Director of National Development. She recently returned to the APF Board, stepping up as a Director at a difficult time during her late husband Ken’s illness.

Ours is a small sport, and when one of our high achievers is recognised in such a manner, we all have every right to feel proud.

Janine's first jump was at Labertouche on 19 September 1981, and since then she has gone from strength to strength. She still has the energy and drive to provide many more years of service to the sport. I know I join with many others in wishing her well.

Previous APF recipients of the OAM are: Claude Gillard, Graeme Windsor, Johannes Chitty, David Smith, Jules McConnel and Laurie Sams.

Trevor Collins
Chair of the Board, APF

Prepared with the assistance of Kelly Brennan

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[Photo Sources: David Brown Photography & others]