Mr Ballard and Hayley’s great aunt Chris Delahunty travelled from Cootamundra to Sydney to attend the presentation with mum Alison, dad Brendan and brother Jack.

Alison said she was very proud of her 16-year-old daughter and was not sure if there had been a secondary college captain in the family before.

“Hayley is the only granddaughter of Pat and obviously they’re very close. She was very excited having him being able to attend the ceremony when she was inducted,” she said.

“Hayley has spent a lot of time in Cootamundra, generally through school holidays, since she was about three.

“Pat has lived in Cootamundra all his life and he’s been the local postman for about 50 years.”

Ms Minogue said Mr Ballard was “very proud”.