Victor the Viking receives an OAM

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Victor the Viking receives an OAM



Anthony Wood, aka Victor the Viking, has received an Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List, for his service to rugby league, and to the community.

Tony has been the mascot of the Canberra Raiders, Victor the Viking, since 1983 and was made a life member of the club in 2018. As Victor, he’s been present at more than 600 games. He famously ripped off his mask when the Raiders qualified for the 2019 Grand Final, after the Green Machine defeated the Rabbitohs in an historic Preliminary Final at Canberra Stadium.

He’s also been recognised for his community work as a Committee member and fundraiser for Respite Care for QBN and for the Queanbeyan Children's Special Needs Group.

“I am very honoured to accept this truly amazing award,” Tony posted on social media this morning.

“I am still waiting for it to sink in. Victor has shed a tear. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am blessed to be apart of the rugby league community and the community of caring individuals.”

“Victor Viking OAM ....Wow!”

A report for The Greenhouse

[cat]

Well done, very deserved

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Victor the Viking's man Tony Wood wins Australia Day award



Victor the Viking was so pleased, he lost his club allegiance momentarily and started quoting Tommy Raudonikis, the legendary Western Suburbs and Kangaroos halfback.

"It's like Tommy used to say: 'I'm not pinching myself, I'm slapping myself'," the Canberra Raiders' much-loved mascot declared. "I've had to keep this [Order of Australia Medal] a secret for so long; to be honest, it's a relief everyone can now know."

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14225

[Seiffert82]

Always good to see awards go to volunteers to recognise charity work.

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‘Victor the Viking’ moved to tears by kind words from Canberra Raiders legend Laurie Daley

Tony Wood, the man behind Canberra Raiders mascot Victor the Viking, has received a Medal of the Order of Australia to recognise his contribution to the rugby league community. Canberra Raiders legend Laurie Daley joined Jim Wilson on a radio interview yesterday to congratulate Tony, who was moved to tears.

“You’ve got me going now mate!”

Read more: https://www.2gb.com/victor-the-viking-m ... ind-words/

AUDIO: https://omny.fm/shows/the-drive-program ... -victor-th

[Bay53]

Congratulations Tony, one of the real nice guys of our club.

[Johno]

I love this club

[Matt]

I think this is great

[RedRaider]

Well deserved Victor.

Without trying to tell the Club what to do, it would be nice if Victor could do a celebration lap with his actual medal at our first home game this year.

[cat]

He is the longest serving mascot in the nrl, as far as i know all done for free.
Disappointing the nrl doesn't seem to really notice that

[Johno]

Well deserved Victor.

Without trying to tell the Club what to do, it would be nice if Victor could do a celebration lap with his actual medal at our first home game this year.

Great idea mate,

GE...get onto the club !!!

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After 38 years as Victor the Viking, Tony Wood OAM has no plans to retire

In 1997 a group of Canberra Raiders players, led by Ruben Wiki, David Furner and Brett Finch, rallied to help the beloved team mascot, Tony Wood, better known as Victor the Viking. Tony had suffered stroke-like symptoms, known as Conversion Disorder, and was admitted to hospital. While he was in hospital, the players relayed the turf and landscaped his backyard.

Tony remembers the time fondly. “When I came home from hospital, I was blown away. It reinforced to me that this was a club that cared for people. It spurred me on to do more in the community.”

Read more: https://the-riotact.com/after-38-years- ... ire/435829