Chad Reed appointed to AM

Chad Reed has been appointed a member in the general division (AM) in the annual Queen's Birthday Honours List. At 29, he is the second youngest recipient of the award.

Reed, from Kurri Kurri (NSW) joins other motorsport luminaries such as Mick Doohan and the late Peter Brock.

"When you look at the honours list over the years, there are only a handful of individuals recognised for what they have achieved in motorsport," Reed told AAP. "For me to now be joining that elite group that includes people like Mick Doohan and 'Brocky' (Peter Brock) is quite surreal.

"I'm a little speechless actually, it's quite unbelievable. Ever since I was a kid all I have ever wanted to do is ride dirt bikes and as time went on riding became racing and eventually that developed into wanting to be a world champion.

"The world is a very different place these days and with all that has gone on in Australia this year -- the good with advancements in medicine and science and the bad with natural disasters and the loss of so many of our diggers.

“I'm an extremely proud Australian and to me it can't get any better than to be honoured by our government and my fellow Australians when our country has so much going on.

"I think that the coolest part of this is to be one of the youngest recipients.

"I really hope a lot of young people see this as an example that age makes no difference these days and that it's all about dreaming big."

The Member of the Order of Australia, first introduced in 1975, is awarded for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.

Reed burst onto the international scene with second place in the 2001 world 250cc motocross title, after which he moved to the USA and has since become an icon with multiple AMA supercross and motocross titles to his name.