Just last year, he was awarded the Public Service Medal for more than 40 years of outstanding service to the community.
Now 67, Marrapodi remains tireless and deeply committed in his role as Manager of Emergency Management and Security within Infrastructure Operations at the Western Australia Department of Education.
It’s a position he himself created back in 1982, at a time when no statewide strategy existed to address safety in school buildings.
“I simply found myself in the right place at the right time,” he said with characteristic modesty, steering clear of the search for recognition.
“Over the years we expanded the scope to include emergency management for bushfires, severe storms and floods. For me, it’s always been about priorities—we need to ensure our schools are safe and secure.
“And when I say schools, I mean the students and the staff,” he added.
Marrapodi acknowledged that this recognition, which filled him with immense pride, would not have been possible without the unwavering support of his wife and daughters.
“Without them, I couldn’t do many of the things I do,” he shared.
“Emergencies can happen unexpectedly, and sometimes that means leaving home in the middle of the night.
“The time my family sacrificed, the times they didn’t have me by their side, that is the true meaning of this medal.”
Last week, Marrapodi received another honour, this time a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), recognising his long service to Australian rules football as an umpire, including his work as a coach within the West Australian Football League (WAFL).
His sporting journey began in the late 1970s with the East Perth Junior Football Council, where he later took on the role of goal and field umpire coach.
He then moved on to the WAFL, officiating until 2004 and racking up a remarkable 204 matches, including five years as a goal umpire in the AFL.
John Marrapodi in his umpiring uniform ahead of an AFL match
“I was fortunate to umpire alongside some truly fantastic people. I met administrators of great professional integrity and had the privilege of coaching some outstanding young umpires,” he said.
He was keen to point out, however, that throughout all those years he never placed his role at the Department of Education second, continuing to give 100 per cent to both commitments.
“To this day, I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I never let down my employer or my colleagues,” he said.
After retiring from on-field umpiring in 2004, he was offered the role of AFL goal umpire coach for the Western Australian team, a position he held until 2021 while also coaching footy at a local level.
“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to umpire at that level,” he said.
“It was a dream of mine, and I achieved it. And being able to coach exceptional umpires, seeing the look on their faces when they achieve their goals, that’s something I treasure.
“Even though they’re the ones doing the job, it’s a privilege to have been part of their success.”
Marrapodi felt emotional standing before the governor while receiving his OAM. “My mind went completely blank and I could barely take in what was being said, but it felt like he knew more about me than I knew about myself,” he recalled, adding that the moment was tinged with sadness.
“I so wish both my parents had been there. Having my wife and daughters beside me was wonderful, but having Mum and Dad present would have been the icing on the cake,” he shared.
“They made so many sacrifices for me and my siblings, and these honours belong to them as well.”
