Holmes was recognised in front of close to 200 guests, including her family and friends, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.

She has worked in journalism and communications for more than 30 years having started her career at the national broadcaster in 1989, hosting Grandstand before going on to host radio and television programs around the world.

Holmes has covered 14 Olympic Games and is regarded as one of the most influential sports broadcasters in Australia.

“To be honest, this award is not because of any achievement on my part, but the absolutely privileged position I found myself in that has enabled me to play a part in being a witness to history in telling the stories of others,” said Holmes.

“I do my job selfishly because I am intrigued by people and their stories.

“I do my job unselfishly because I hope by telling these stories some of the walls that divide us will be brought down and that some of the inbuilt differences between us politically, culturally and ideologically can be understood even if we may never be entirely on the same page.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award follows Holmes being recognised by the International Olympic Committee with the Women and Sports Awards for Oceania, acknowledging her contribution to reporting on women’s sport and mentoring women sports journalists.

ASC Chair Josephine Sukkar AM congratulated Ms Holmes on receiving the award.

“Tracey’s work has had a profound impact around the world and there’s no doubt she’ll continue to inspire generations of Australians throughout the rest of her career."

“Congratulations to Tracey and to all of our winners and finalists this evening.”

The evening saw media professionals and organisations from across Australia acknowledged for their coverage of sport with News Corp taking out four separate awards.

Neroli Meadows was recognised for her work in the broadcast space while Peter Badel of News Corp took out the print equivalent, Best sport coverage by an individual – written.

Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells presented the award for Best coverage of a community sport issue – rural and regional media to Zoe Keenan and Dinushi Dias from ABC South West WA for their investigation into racism and sexism at the South Bunbury Football Club.

The GWS Giants were named the inaugural winners of the Best Coverage of sport by a club or organisation while the Australian newspaper’s podcast series Head Noise featuring recently retired NRL star James Graham was awarded best sport podcast.

• Best coverage of a sporting event
  News Corp, Birmingham Commonwealth Games
• Best coverage of sport for people with disability
  Matthew Carmichael, Seven Network
• Best Sports Photography
  Quinn Rooney, Diving for gold, Getty Images
• Best sport profile – broadcast
  Fearless – the inside story of the AFLW, JamTV / Disney+
  Highly commended: RIDE, WildBear Entertainment / ABC
• Best sport podcast
  Head Noise, The Australian
• Best reporting of an issue in sport
  Julian Linden, Swimming takes the plunge, News Corp
• Best coverage of sport by a club or organisation
  GWS GIANTS
• Best coverage of a community sport issue - rural & regional media
  Zoe Keenan and Dinushi Dias, Racism and sexism in country football, ABC South West WA
• Best sport profile – written
  Emma Kemp and Carly Earl, The Medal Maker, The Guardian
• Best depiction of inclusive sport
  Johnny Taranto, I’m Not a Runner, Adventure Time Films
  Highly commended: Jamie van Leeuwen and Joey Lynch, Journey of the Afghanistan Women's Team, ESPN
• Best sport coverage by an individual – broadcast
  Neroli Meadows, ESPN / Ordineroli Speaking
  Highly commended: Matty Johns, Fox Sports
• Best sport coverage by an individual – written
  Peter Badel, News Corp

See all of the previous ASC Media Awards winners.