Queen’s Birthday Honours full list: Shane Warne, Ash Barty lead list with Covid-19 heroes
Australians are fuming some stars and Covid-19 pandemic heroes made it on the Queen’s Birthday honours list. Have your say.
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Shane Warne, Ash Barty, golfer Adam Scott and celebrity chef Matt Moran are among the big names who have been recognised in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours, in a list dominated by some of the heroes of Australia’s Covid-19 pandemic response.
But not every Australian has welcomed recipients of this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
News Corp readers have said the fact the list contains sports stars and celebirities who are just doing their job was not enough for them to be named.
One reader Ian wrote: “It really pains me to see that in order to be recognized through the awards system you have to be a celebrity of sorts. Sportspersons are paid well for doing their job and keeping us entertained but politicians?? Using that great Monty Python line “what have they ever done for us”. I don’t think many people will take these awards seriously until they start to give awards to “no-bodies” who toil in the community, not for status, but for the love of giving. This is such a joke!!”
Scott wrote: “To all those that harp on about how only sports people win these awards please read the full list of those who have received a gong.”
Ted also wrote: “I’m sorry but can’t agree with many of them. The world is out of touch.”
Ann posted: “So sick of people receiving awards for doing their jobs eg CMO, “celebrities” or sportspeople .The nominations for these awards needs a dramatic overhaul.”
Of the 992 names on the list, 92 were recognised in part for their contribution to the fight against Covid-19, led by the Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health, Dr Brendan Murphy, and Queensland’s former Chief Health Officer (now Governor) Dr Jeannette Young, who were both made Companions of the Order of Australia (AC).
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant and leading epidemiologist Professor Marylouise McLaws were both appointed to the Order of Australia (AO).
HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC
As Chief Medical Officer in 2020, Dr Murphy was at the vanguard of Australia’s response to the alarming new pandemic, and his advice to the Morrison government to shut the international border is regarded as a bold step that saved thousands of lives.
“It was really based on the fact that it was a very new virus that we didn’t know much about, we didn’t have available treatments or vaccines, and we believed [shutting the border] was potentially possible to keep it out,” Dr Murphy said.
“It was a recommendation that went against the prevailing logic of the time.”
The arrival of the pandemic prompted “the normal distribution of expert views from one extreme to another,” Dr Murphy said, but his instinct was to try for consensus, and not get too bothered by critics.
“We felt we made the right recommendations on the best available evidence, and that evidence changed over time, so obviously recommendations changed,” he said. “I didn’t find [the critics] particularly upsetting.”
Dr Murphy said it was “obviously very humbling” to be honoured, and that he’d been fortunate to have a career “where I’ve been able to do lots of different things, working with great people”.
Similar comments came from UNSW Professor Marylouise McLaws, who became a household name in the early days of the pandemic, helping a concerned Australian public understand how they could minimise their risk of catching the virus.
Prof McLaws, who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour after a shock diagnosis in January, said she was “honoured, delighted and amazed” to receive notice of the honour.
“It has been my privilege, with the help of the media, to assist Australians understand both the pandemic and infection control,” she said. But with 2022 proving to be the pandemic’s deadliest year, she urged Australians to remember the “simple precautions such as masks, distancing, hand washing, vaccines and boosters”.
Scientists dominated the upper ranks of the Honours list, with five of the six Companions (ACs) coming from a science or medicine background. Nearly 46 per cent of total recipients in the General Division were women, just down from the record 47 per cent ratio on this year’s Australia Day Honours List.
GONGS FOR THE POLLIES
Former Nationals leader John Anderson was the only non-scientist to be made a Companion, although his citation focused on his contributions to a range of regional, national and international organisations, and not his parliamentary career at all.
Mr Anderson said he was “deeply touched” that his work in agricultural research, not-for-profit microcredit schemes and in the tertiary education sector had been recognised.
The 65 year old, who had a failed tilt at returning to politics last year, said he had “no understanding of what retirement might look like,” and he hoped to continue his contribution to the national debate via his video podcast series.
Mr Anderson was not the only former federal politician honoured, with Larry Anthony, Carmen Lawrence and Robert McLelland all appointed to the Order of Australia (AO).
‘A GREAT TIME TO BE A CHEF’
Almost as numerous were the honorees coming from the ranks of Australia’s hardcore foodies, with cooking queen Donna Hay and TV presenter Maeve O’Meara both awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), while chef Matt Moran was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
The man behind such top-tier eateries as Aria and Chiswick said the greater recognition being paid to Australia’s food and cuisine sector reflected ever-increasing depth in the industry.
“I think it’s pretty exciting to be a young chef in Australia, because there’s plenty of work around in really good venues,” Mr Moran said. “People don’t need to go overseas and cut their teeth as much as they used to, because we’ve got incredible venues, we’ve got incredible chefs that work in Australia, and we’ve got some of the best produce in the world.”
Mr Moran said he was humbled by the Queen’s Birthday Honour, which recognised his contribution to both the industry and also to charity, but he “couldn’t believe it at first”.
Talking to News Corp for this story, Mr Moran joked it was “nice to know it wasn’t fake and it really is happening”.
“I still had that doubt, thinking is it real? Is someone about to ask me for some money?” he said.
’I’M SO RAPT I AM GOING TO WEAR IT DOWN THE SHOPS’
Revered singer and recording artist Linda Bull won’t be stashing her Order of Australia medal on the shelf.
“I’m so rapt I am going to wear it down the shops,” she said.
Linda and sister Vika were both recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours after more than three decades entertaining Australian fans with Black Sorrows, Paul Kelly and on their own tours.
The sisters delighted fans and generated millions of views for their Sunday gospel sessions during Covid, later releasing an album inspired by those online performances which peaked at No. 2 on the charts.
“We love singing; it’s our passion, our spiritual practice, and we wanted to do something for people, to reach out to our audience during Covid,” Linda said.
“When we go anywhere now people say ‘Thanks for the great sing-song’ and that makes my day.”
While Linda will be celebrating the honour with family on the weekend, sister Vika will be resting after undergoing emergency surgery last week, forcing their upcoming tour to be rescheduled to August.
TWIN HONOURS FOR BECCY
Another OAM recipient from the arts community this year is beloved singer and songwriter Beccy Cole, the honour coming just weeks after she was inducted to the Roll Of Renown, the country music Hall of Fame.
Country star Cole said she was thrilled for the recognition of her contribution to the Australian soundtrack and her advocacy on behalf of Australia’s LGBTQI+ community since coming out a decade ago.
The honour has boosted Cole’s spirits after her health broke down earlier this year after her split from long-time partner Liz O’Donovan.
“I had some personal hardships at the beginning of the year, and you look to the universe to see if you are going OK, if you’re on the right track,” Cole said.
“Being included on the Roll of Renown alongside Slim Dusty and now this is just incredible.
“Also it’s been 10 years this month since I came out publicly so this honour is wonderful timing.”
The late television executive David Leckie, who ran the Nine and Seven networks through the ’90s and 2000s, has been posthumously awarded an AM for his services to broadcast media.
Among the acting community named in the Order of Australia awards are veteran actors Carole Raye, Philip Quast, Maggie Dence and Ray Lawler.
Prolific Indigenous author and literacy advocate Anita Heiss was awarded an AM for significant service to tertiary Indigenous studies, and to the arts.
SPORTING LEGENDS WARNIE, BARTY AND WALTERS LEAD THE PACK
Queen’s Birthday Honours recipient Ash Barty has spoken of her desire to keep inspiring young Australians while another sporting great has had his spirits lifted following the death of his brother.
Barty and the late, great spinner Shane Warne, have been recognised as Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) while former Test batting star of the 1970s and 80s Doug Walters is one of a group of sportspeople who become Members of the Order of Australia (AM) in the honour roll.
The others include exceptional Australian women’s captain Meg Lanning, golfers Adam Scott and Sandra McCaw, rugby union winger Brendan Moon, motorsport’s Betty Klimenko, ten-pin bowler Jason Belmonte and boxer Johnny Famechon.
Walters’ recognition came less than a week after the death of his older brother Warren, 79, in Newcastle.
“With Rod Marsh, one of my best mates, dying a few months ago and now my brother’s death it has been a pretty tough year,’’ Walters said.
“I was quite surprised to receive this because I thought my time for awards and medal had passed.’’
Three time Grand Slam winner Barty, who shocked the sporting world by retiring after winning this year’s Australian Open, said she would continue her mission to encourage Australian youngsters to pursue their dreams.
“I’m honoured to receive an Order of Australia,’’ Barty said.
“There are so many Australian people who do wonderful things for our country and I want to congratulate all of the other Award recipients on being recognised for their contributions.
“I’m a very proud Australian and representing my country to the best of my ability has always been my priority. On a personal level, I always try to uphold Australian values – being humble, respectful, kind and caring for others. I hope to continue my contribution to our country, focusing on providing youth with sport and education opportunities and inspiring all young kids to go after their dreams.’’
The dry-witted Walters, famously raised on a dairy farm in the NSW township of Dungog, was Steve Waugh’s favourite cricketer and a cult hero to several generations of fans for his cool, gum chewing style and laid back, country boy demeanour.
First chosen to play Test cricket as a 19-year-old, he scored 155 in his first Test against England at the Gabba in 1965, which remains one of Australian cricket’s most celebrated innings.
And he did it despite the fact that, for much of his junior career, he was better known as a pace bowler.
“I started off as a bowler,’’ said Walters, who played 74 Tests, scoring 5357 runs at an average of 48.
“All my success as a kid was with the ball. I felt I was a bowler who batted a bit until I got 0-128 in my second Sheffield Shield match against Victoria. I thought I had better concentrate a bit harder on that batting caper.
“Just being selected for my first Test was the highlight of my career.’’
The loss of Marsh following a heart attack cut Walters deeply because of their 50-year friendship.
“Marshy was one of my best mates. We both just enjoyed a beer and each others company,” Walters said.
“When one of us dropped a catch we would say ‘don’t worry, you are due to catch the next one’. But after his first Test in Brisbane where he dropped quite a few he got a bit sick of me saying that.’’
One of Walters’ most significant achievements was giving up his smoking habit which saw him abruptly quit following laser treatment after allegedly inhaling more than 750,000 cigarettes over more than four decades.
“It was one of the biggest things in my life and one of the easiest things I have ever done,’ he said.’
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