One of the legends of rugby league has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In his prime, Glenn Lazarus was widely considered to be the best prop in the world. He became known - and perhaps feared - as "the Brick with Eyes".
He now becomes the Brick with Eyes OAM.
The Queanbeyan native made his first grade debut in 1987 for Canberra and went on to have a decorated 13-year career.
Two years after that debut, he was a stalwart of the Raiders' inaugural iconic premiership triumph. He played in two more grand finals for Canberra, winning in 1990 and losing in 1991.
His arrival in Brisbane in 1992 helped the Broncos to their first premiership, too. One the Queensland club defended in 1993 with Lazarus leading the way.
Five consecutive grand finals yielded four premierships.
Few players hang up their boots when they're at the top of their game, but he did. In 1999, Lazarus bowed out after a fifth premiership with his third club, Melbourne Storm. No other player in the game's history has won premierships with three different clubs.
He was a classic front-row forward, in an unglamorous position but making an impact. When he was knocking men down, his team tended to win.
Lazarus was a big part of NSW's dominance at Origin level, playing 19 games for the Blues. His 21 Tests for Australia included iconic series comebacks in the 1990 and 1994 Kangaroo tours of the UK.
His famous nickname was bestowed on him by Aussie larrikins Roy and HG during their State of Origin commentary. Lazarus himself grew to embrace the moniker.
"I didn't [mind being called it], as long as it was the Brick with Eyes and not the other word that starts with 'P'," he laughed.
"I always said you could be called a lot worse. I got a bit of endorsement from a company called New Brick and they built my house."
After his playing career, he teamed up with the Palmer United Party as one of its senators in Queensland. Or as one paper put it: "The bone-crusher rugby league international nicknamed 'the Brick with Eyes', Glenn Lazarus, will head billionaire Clive Palmer's bid to tackle the Senate."
He felt passionately that climate change was a serious matter and was credited with shifting the PUP on the issue.
As the ABC reported in 2014: "According to Ben Oquist, a former chief of staff to Bob Brown and strategy director at the Australia Institute, Senator Lazarus played a key role in determining PUP's climate change policy.
"He helped take the Palmer United Party to the centre on climate change, leaving Abbott on the fringe.
"Glenn is a mainstream bloke and wanted mainstream views on climate change to prevail."
MORE HONOURS:
- Departing DFAT boss among droves of women honoured
- Peta Credlin, the accidental political warrior, lands Queen's Birthday honour
- More than a game: Stuart's legacy honoured on the Queen's birthday
- Australians marvel at honours recipients Hemsworth, archbishop
- Canberra doctor recognised for sacrificing fees to build hospital
- Stephanie Copus-Campbell recognised for work in PNG
- Queen's Birthday Honours for Canberra scientists
- Down-to-earth scientist with a large impact earns AC
- AM for Harriet Elvin, champion of our 'creative city'
- 'I was part of a team': public service medals bring achievements into the limelight
- Gallantry award for corporal who led heroic rescue in 'extreme danger'
- Activist's non-linear journey reaps rewards
- Astronomer sees virus as small blip in the universe
- AM appointee calls for funding boost for drug and alcohol services
- Bombings' lessons for AFP analyst
- Record rate of women in Queen's honours
- Australians share in Queen's honours
- Leading melanoma researcher appointed AO
- Disaster recovery pioneer awarded OAM
- Tough but rewarding time as top woman cop
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
Steve Evans
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
