2016 Governor's Award Victorian Male Athlete of the Year - Frank Wilkes Award
Mack Horton OAM - Swimming

Mack had an incredible year. A major highlight was winning gold — Australia’s first in Rio — in the 400m Freestyle at the 2016 Olympic Games. The victory saw Mack become the first male Victorian swimmer to win an individual Olympic gold. He also came fifth in the 1,500m and fourth in 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay. At the Australian Swimming Championships, he won gold in the 400m and 1,500m Freestyle. A home-grown Victorian talent, Mack has been with Melbourne Vicentre for his entire swimming career. Mack started with the Vicentre development squad and joined up with his coach Craig Jackson when he was 12. Mack has kindly put his name to the letters that welcome new athletes and members to swimming in Victoria, and recently helped launch the Optus Junior Dolphin program, which encourages kids to participate in swimming.