Australian of the Year Awards 2024: Full list of entertainment and sports recipients

Former Sunrise host David Koch says he has “no idea” who nominated him for an Australia Day award. See full list of media and sports recipients.

Popular former Sunrise host David Koch would rather the spotlight be shone on the unsung heroes recognised in the Australia Day honours roll than “some boofhead on TV.”

“I’m absolutely honoured but there are lots of people who are a lot more deserving, so you really want the focus to be on them rather than some boofhead on TV,” the personality said.

While the financial journalist and digital media entrepreneur has been recognised in the 2024 list for his media career, he has long used his platform to passionately advocate for causes close to his heart, including organ and tissue donation and with wife Libby, establishing the Koch Centre for Youth and Learning with Youth Off The Streets to help disadvantaged young people in western Sydney.

“I’ve always thought if it means that we can use our position to help people, that justifies what we do … that’s what has really fulfilled me in terms of being in the media.”

David Koch has received an AM.

Speaking on Sunrise on Friday, Koch said he was taken when told he had been nominated..

“Absolute, complete shock. And have no idea who nominated me.”

Koch said he realised “pretty early on” as host of Sunrise has could have an impact on others lives.

“Just during a lot of the natural disasters that we cover here on Sunrise, whipping the government into some action, helping people. Just a connection, people would use us as a way of getting the message out. That is the magic of this. This is why there is nothing else like it, that is why I loved every minute of it for 21 years.”

Respected Ten News presenter Sandra Sully joins Koch as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division, acknowledging her long media career and ongoing work with SpinalCure Australia and to promote hockey.

Sully has been on a mission to support research to treat and cure spinal injuries for more than two decades since meeting Superman legend and activist Christopher Reeve when she was starting out in her journalism career.

“The great thing about Australian research in terms of spinal cord injuries is we are world leaders with what we do so it’s no longer a matter of if but when and I’m hoping we will find a cure in my lifetime,” she said.

The sports enthusiast has been involved with Hockey Australia for the past decade and plans to head to the Paris Olympics to support our men and women’s team medals quests.

“It’s been a real thrill for me to help elevate the profile of the sport in this country because outside of the Olympics, our players just don’t get the recognition or the corporate support that it deserves,” she said.

Sandra Sully has received acknowledgment for her work in the media, SpinalCure Australia, and promotion of hockey.

Respected musical director John Foreman, one of the kings of big gigs in Australia and mentoring emerging artists, was also appointed an AM this year.

Foreman, who became Chair of the National Australia Day Council board last year, has been a cultural icon since Bert Newton launched him to fame in the early 90s on Good Morning Australia.

He has steered so many significant musical celebrations over the past 30 years including conducting the programs for Carols By Candlelight and Australia Day Live from the Sydney Opera House.

“I’ve been really, really lucky to have a lot of right time, right place things happen for me, and one of the main things was meeting Bert Newton, which changed my trajectory from playing pubs and clubs and birthday parties and weddings to having a TV profile,” he said.

Former Masters Apprentices band member Dennis “Denny” Burgess, who is also Wests Magpies Chairman (shareholder of the NRL team Wests Tigers) was recognised this year for his tireless work behind the scenes in the Australian music industry.

As well as playing with a dozen bands since the 60s, he also ran the famed Battle of the Bands competition to support new talent and set up the Australian Songwriters Association.

“I’m very humbled; I used to be known as Wildman Denny and you wouldn’t think that would get you a nod,” he joked.

Musical director John Foreman. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Film and TV producer Margaret Fink. Picture: AAP

Renowned film and television producer Margaret Fink is now an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division for her distinguished career as a film and television producer.

Legendary INXS manager and industry pioneer Chris M. Murphy was posthumously named in the 2024 Australia Day list three years after his death.

His wife Caroline Paidasch-Murphy said she had nominated Murphy before he became ill with lymphoma and was so “proud and joyful” his legacy had finally been recognised.

“He was so innovative and such a champion of Australian artists – if it wasn’t for him, there would be no door policy for artists which gave them the proceeds they deserved from ticket sales,” she said.

The process for researching a nominee’s eligibility can sometimes take up to two years and while Australians can’t be nominated after their passing, they can be awarded posthumously.

SPORTS STARS HONOURED

A number of pioneering women received honours for their services to sport, both in competition and the boardroom.

A star wicketkeeper for the Australian women’s team in the 1980s and 1990s before moving into sports administration, Christina Matthews was honoured for her services to cricket.

Promoted to chief executive of the Western Australian Cricket Association, she earned a reputation for standing her ground and fighting strongly for causes she believed in.

“You’ve got to keep pushing and moving things forward,” she said.

“It’s very common now to say you can’t be what you can’t see but no truer words have been spoken.”

WA Cricket Association chief executive Christina Matthews. Picture: Supplied

Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, swimmer Ellie Cole got a gong for her advocacy for diversity and inclusion.

After losing her right leg to cancer when she was a young child, Cole has gone on to win 17 Paralympic Games medals, including six gold, and been a powerful voice in sports administration.

Olympic fencer turned sports administrator Evelyn Halls was also honoured for her service.

Halls represented Australia in fencing at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and since retiring has risen to the position of vice president of the Australian Olympic Committee.

Ellie Cole, one of Australia's most accomplished Paralympians. Picture: Supplied

Australia’s most decorated goalkeeper, Hockeyroos Rachael Lynch was another Olympian to be included on the list.

Lynch made 233 appearances for Australia, competing at two Olympics and winning two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. She also serves as an ambassador to a number of charities. It wasn’t just women who were recognised.

Baseballer David Hynes, Australia’s leading batter at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and now the precinct of Baseball Australia, was honoured along with the late Rick Mitchell, who won a silver medal in athletics at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Mitchell competed at three Olympics and also won four Commonwealth Games medals, including a gold in 1978. He went into sports administration after his retirement, but died from cancer in 2021, aged 66.

Originally published as Australian of the Year Awards 2024: Full list of entertainment and sports recipients