MICHAEL “Mick” O’Rourke, a large figure in community sport on the Mornington Peninsula, was posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours.
For more than six decades, O’Rourke’s life was inseparable from the Rye Football Netball Club and the wider Rye sporting community. His contribution spanned playing, coaching, administration and tireless behind-the-scenes work that helped shape not just a club, but generations of people connected to it.
His family said the honour, which recognised his “service to community sport”, reflected what they had always known about him.
“Our family is deeply proud of Michael ‘Mick’ O’Rourke for being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This honour reflects the countless hours, years of dedication, and genuine passion he has poured into serving others,” his family said.
“We have always known the strength of his commitment and the size of his heart, and seeing that recognised at a national level is incredibly special for all of us.”
O’Rourke passed away on 12 March last year, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a dearly loved father of Ashley (Dec), Shannon and Matthew, and a devoted “Poppy Mick” to Murphy, Max and Coco.
Born on 8 October 1947 in Yarraville, O’Rourke was the son of Dorothy (Babs) and Ben O’Rourke. Much of his childhood was spent camping on the Rye foreshore during summers before the family built their home in Charles St in 1959. At 16, he began a plumbing apprenticeship in Dromana and later founded a successful business, O’Rourke Plumbing, in Rosebud in 1974.
As a schoolboy at Footscray State School, O’Rourke developed a lifelong love of the Footscray Bulldogs, but it was Rye that became the centre of his sporting life.
He joined the Rye Football Club’s under-17s in 1964 and went on to play an extraordinary 342 club games. His on-field résumé included one senior premiership, multiple reserves premierships, and two reserves best and fairest awards.
Off the field, his impact was even greater. Mick joined the club’s committee of management in 1969 and went on to serve for 55 years, including 21 years as vice-president and 22 years as president.
He also represented the club on the Rye Sports and Social Club for 49 years and played a key role in running the annual Rye Gift. His involvement extended across the Rowley Reserve Sporting Complex, supporting cricket, tennis, junior football and netball.
Rye Football Netball Club vice-president Scott Beel said, “The Rye FNC are extremely proud, together with the O’Rourke family to have such a prestigious award fittingly made to Mick”.
“The names of Appleford, Jennings, Rowley and O’Rourke are synonymous with the Rye Football Netball Club, and on 26 January Michael ‘Kicka’ O’Rourke, was honoured posthumously with the Medal of the Order of Australia.”
Beel described Mick as “a tough, uncompromising back pocket/half back flank player” who “would put his body on the line each week, bleeding red and blue blood.”
As a reserves coach, he was “regarded as one of the finest coaches of his time.”
Beyond titles and trophies, O’Rourke’s character left the deepest mark.
His “nothing is too much trouble” attitude made him a much-admired figure, particularly for his work securing sponsorships and strengthening the club’s financial future.
His family said, “As a family, we have seen first-hand the impact Mick has had on so many people and the community he cares so deeply about”.
“His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the lasting impact he had on this community.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 18 February 2026