FORMER Geelong president Frank Costa has been named an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the city of Geelong in sport, philanthropy and in business.

The 76-year-old was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1997 and received the Australian Sports Medal in 2001.

Costa delivered the Cats a drought-breaking premiership in 2007, a significant morale boost for a city that had heard Ford planned to close its engine plant – and 600 jobs with it – the same year.

He was president of the Cats from 1998 to 2010, a period during which the club became a competition powerhouse.

Costa started Australia's largest fruit and vegetable producer, marketer and exporter, Costa Group, with his brother Adrian in 1959 after buying their parent's greengrocery.

He has contributed significantly to the local community, chairing church restoration committees and acting as a patron of medical institutes including Lorne Hospital.

"Apart from the fact I was very surprised, I am really pleased to be nominated," Costa told AAP.
"It's a very special honour to be recognised on Australia Day."