Two of Australia’s most prominent human rights lawyers, a leading infectious disease expert and a late Indigenous activist are among the recipients of the most prestigious titles in this year’s Australia Day honours list, in the 50th year of the awards.
Governor-General Samantha Mostyn announced today that 732 had been recognised in the annual honour roll.
Six of those were handed the nation’s highest honour, becoming a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Among them were human rights lawyers Gillian Triggs and Megan Davis.
Triggs was the former assistant high commissioner at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and president of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Davis is an internationally recognised lawyer who also played a prominent role in the Indigenous Voice to parliament proposal and the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
You can use our interactive data table below to search through all the Australians honours this year by name, postcode, state or honour.
Late Indigenous advocate Galarrwuy Yunupingu, the 1978 Australian of the Year, was also made a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Beyond his extensive career as a leading land rights campaigner, Yunupingu was also brother to Yothu Yindi frontman Mandawuy Yunupingu, and featured heavily in the band’s work, painting its album art and singing traditional lines in some songs.
Joining them as ACs in this year’s honour roll are epidemiologist Allen Cheng, Victoria’s former deputy chief health officer who became one of the public faces of the state’s response to COVID-19, as well as High Court Justice James Edelman, and Gondwana Choirs founder Lyn Williams.
The honours list also features all of Australia’s first-time gold medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, including kayaker Noemie Fox, swimmer Alexa Leary, and 14-year-old skateboarder Arisa Trew.
Former Australian women’s Test cricket captain Raelee Thompson was made a Member of the Order of Australia, as was singer-songwriter and ARIA Hall of Famer Gerard Bertelkamp, better known as Beeb Birtles.
“To read recipient stories is to be reminded that contribution to communities across the country, underpinned by care, kindness, respect and love, is what matter most to all Australians, in every sphere of life,” Mostyn said.
“Recipients embody the best of us, and we are grateful to all of them.
“This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s honours system. We have a wonderful opportunity over the next 50 years of our honours and awards to reflect our generous, successful and modern Australian society.
“To all Australians, nominating and honouring our fellow Australians is a meaningful way of saying, as a nation, thank you.”
