Nicole Livingstone AO says her recent recognition in The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours list has motivated her to extend her current advocacy even further.  

Nicole dominated Australian backstroke as a competitive swimmer, winning ten consecutive national titles in the women’s 100m event. She also won a bronze medal in the women's 200m backstroke at the Olympics in Barcelona, and a bronze and silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay and 4x100m women’s medley relay respectively at the Olympics in Atlanta.  

Now, she is CEO of the Victorian Institute of Sport, and was formerly AFLW general manager, an executive member of the Australian Olympic Committee, deputy chair of VicHealth and co-chair of the Preventing Violence Against Women Advisory Committee.  

She has also been co-founder and patron of Ovarian Cancer Australia since 2001, a cause that is close to her heart.  

She was appointed an Officer of the Order for distinguished service to sports development and administration, to the promotion of women in sport, and to community health.  

“I am proud to advocate for women in sport and women’s health, particularly ovarian cancer,” she says.  

“[Recognition has also] given me the opportunity to encourage people that ask me about my award to consider nominating a woman that is performing a valuable service to community and deserve to be recognised.

“The bigger reward is what you can achieve within your respective area, the differences you can make.”  

Nicole remains deeply motivated to continue the work that led to her recognition too, she explains.  

“[I am motivated by] assisting athletes to have the same fortunate experience I had as an athlete. I am still involved 40 years later and love all the sport brings – even with the ups and downs,” she says.  

“Ovarian cancer health promotion, if I can assist in the raising of awareness of this silent cancer, so women know to ask, ‘could it be my ovaries?’, then the chance of catching this cancer early increases the survival chances.  

“My mum, Elsie died too young from OvCa, so I hope it could save families from what we went through.”