Women Dominate Australia Day Honours List

For only the second time in the Australian Honours history, more women than men have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day list.

Governor-General David Hurley announced the honours, which included recipients from various fields such as science, community service, and the arts, among others. He highlighted that all the recipients had made profound contributions to their respective areas.

This year, the Australia Day list honored 1,042 Australians, with 20 recipients in the military division of the Order of Australia, 224 meritorious awards, and 59 awards for distinguished and conspicuous service. Additionally, 49 individuals were recognized for their contribution to Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the notable recipients was the late social justice campaigner Father Bob Maguire, who was posthumously awarded Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the community. Father Bob was a Catholic priest and media personality known for his advocacy for the poor and marginalized.

Lorraine Mazerolle, an eminent criminologist, received the Companion of the Order of Australia for her work in education and evidence-based policing reforms. She expressed her honor and mentioned her achievements in researching partnerships in policing as well as mentoring her Ph.D. students.

Television presenter David James Koch, popularly known as “Kochie,” was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the media and economic journalism. He has been a prominent figure in economic journalism and hosted Channel Seven’s morning program, Sunrise, for 21 years.

Sandra Sully, a renowned newsreader and reporter for Channel 10, received the Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the media, charitable organizations, and the community. She has covered major events, including the September 11 attacks, and has been involved in multiple charities as an ambassador.

The oldest recipient of this year’s honours is Lilian Ries, a dedicated volunteer who, at 100 years old, contributed her time to help sick children and their families through the Ronald McDonald House Charity.

Plastic surgeon Fiona Wood, known for her groundbreaking “spray on skin” technology for burn victims, received her second honours as an Officer of the Order. She expressed her gratitude and emphasized that the award recognized the collective effort of her team and extended team.

Advocate and disability rights activist David Squirrell, who lost his medical registration due to his disability, was recognized for his work in making public spaces more accessible. He is the Vice-President of Deaf-Blind Australia and stressed the need for understanding individuals and improving accessibility.

Majida Abboud-Saab, a founding staff member of the Special Broadcasting Station (SBS), received recognition for her significant contribution to broadcasting settlement information in minority languages through the SBS Arabic program.