The night closed with McDonald’s honour following a journey that started when she was 12 years old standing on a milk crate to cheer on Easts Tigers at Langlands Park in Brisbane. She has gone on to cover 13 summer and winter Paralympic Games, five Commonwealth Games, four Olympic Games and thousands of rugby league matches.

Kicking off her career as a cadet reporter at the Townsville Bulletin in 1978, she worked at AAP locally and in London, The Australian, NRL.com and is currently with NSW Rugby League as a sports journalist, and at 47 years in, she has no intention of giving up her beat.

"I love sport - it's as simple as that. I love the results, the people, the history, the stories. It's always been an absolute privilege to watch it and write about it,” she said.

"I never set out to be in the spotlight. I like to beaver away in the background but to be recognised this way, for something I so enjoy doing, is very humbling.”

"I am overwhelmed by this award. I am deeply grateful for the respect the ASC Board has shown me.”

From soccer players in the 80s autographing her notebook instead of answering questions, to security guards blocking her from ‘men’s only’ dressing rooms and working in press rooms with no female toilets, McDonald laid the foundations for many women in the industry today.

ASC Chair Kate Jenkins AO presented McDonald with the honour.

“Margie is a much-loved figure across sport and her passion has never wavered,” Ms Jenkins said.

“Her disbelief at being recognised with this honour speaks to her humble nature and genuine love of sport.

"The work of pioneers like Margie over many decades has left sport and the coverage of it in a better place for everyone.”

The evening saw media professionals and organisations from across Australia acknowledged for their coverage of sport.