National Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee Gene Miles OAM says it isn’t hard to find motivation when you do what he has done.

Gene started playing for the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Football Club and the Queensland Maroons in the 80s. He also played for the Australian Kangaroos until 1989, and then the Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club from 1991 to 1992.

He is currently chair of selectors and a selector at the Queensland Rugby League State of Origin team since 2001, and executive chair of Former Origin Greats, which covers the Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education (ARTIE) Academy, which aims to close the gap in educational outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

For his life’s work, he was awarded the Medal of the Order for service to youth, and to rugby league.

“I have been in this space of Indigenous youth and disadvantaged youth since retiring from a family business in 2005 and I have seen the initiatives and improvements we have attained since and whilst there is more to do, I believe when we now work with children as young as six you can’t help but be motivated,” he says.

“I will naturally be trying to continue the good work we (my staff, fellow directors) have achieved to date.”

Gene says he was taken aback when he heard the news of his recognition.

“You go about your life doing what is in front of you and what is required to be done and then to be recognised with an award as prestigious as this, I was absolutely humbled.”