He's played rugby league at the highest level but former Queensland MP Mick Veivers says being recognised on Australia Day is the ultimate honour.

The former Australia forward has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to sport and the public service.

"It's all very humbling, something like this never crossed my mind," the 75-year-old told AAP.

Mr Veivers began playing rugby league with Souths Magpies in Brisbane, a club that produced the likes of Mal Meninga, in the late 1950s.

In a decorated career he went on to don the green and gold in six test matches.

He became the first player to represent Queensland and NSW in consecutive years after moving to Sydney to link with Manly-Warringah, where he played from 1965-67.

After hanging up his boots he embarked on a 14-year career as a commentator with Sportscene on Brisbane's Channel 7, although his time in front of the camera got off to a shaky start.

"I got the call when I was out on my dairy farm, and I thought it was for radio," he said.

"When they told me to dress up and we started driving up to Mount Coot-tha for a test run, I thought something was up.

"You learn quickly though, we had to."

His passion for agriculture saw him make a transition to politics with the National Party.

He was member for Southport for 14 years, and also served as the Minister for Emergency Services and Sport from 1996-98.

Living on the Gold Coast, Mr Veivers continues to pour time and energy into his community and helped found the Gold Coast Academy of Sport.

"I think sport at a junior level can really steer people in the right direction," he said.

"But this is all very overwhelming ... I was just doing things because it felt like the right thing to do."