Queen’s Birthday Honours: Salute to a gamut of talent and zeal
From a Hollywood A-lister to an international pioneer in in-vitro fertilisation, the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours list showcases the best of Australia | FULL LIST
From a Hollywood A-lister to an international pioneer in in-vitro fertilisation to a veteran escapologist, the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours list again showcases the gamut of Australian talent and commitment to community across the nation.
For every household name like Chris Hemsworth, honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the arts, there are scores of lesser known Australians who have become internationally renowned experts in their fields.
People like Alan Trounson, who becomes an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his work over five decades in IVF and stem cell technology, paving the way for millions of couples worldwide struggling to conceive.
Or like Soren Blau, a forensic anthropologist who received an AM in recognition of her decades of work in Australia and internationally helping to identify human remains in the aftermath of disasters.
Dr Blau’s work in Australia included helping in the recovery and identification of those who perished in Victoria’s 2009 bushfires.
She has provided her expertise in the Ukraine, Nepal and Africa, and has helped families identify the bodies of missing loved ones in Timor Leste following the return of democracy.
That is not to downplay Hemsworth’s honour. The Thor star has been recognised for his contribution to the performing arts, reflecting his role in Australia’s new position as the go-to destination for filmmaking during the global pandemic. His contribution to conservation initiatives in Australia and abroad was also noted, as was his role as a patron of the Australian Childhood Foundation.
There are 1190 Australians recognised in the 2021 honours list for their life’s work and community service.
The highest honour, a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), went to five people including incoming South Australian governor Frances Adamson and former Australian Ballet artistic director David McAllister.
Former Anglican Church of Australia primate Phillip Aspinall received an AC for his service to the church and commitment to social justice and welfare.
Governor-General David Hurley recognised the diversity of experience of honours recipients in announcing the list. “Collectively, they speak to who we are as a nation,” he said. “There are countless examples of selflessness, commitment and dedication. There is diversity and there are examples of exceptional achievement in almost every field imaginable.”
General Hurley said 44 per cent of the 2021 honours list were women, the highest proportion since 1975 when they were introduced, and he looked to Australians to continue to nominate outstanding women, members of the multicultural community and First Nations people to ensure the honours reflected the community.
Others to receive an AO included high-profile Brisbane art gallery owner Phillip Bacon for his service to the arts and support of young artists, Patricia Bergin SC, who most recently chaired the royal commission into casinos in NSW, and Victoria’s former chief commissioner of police Christine Nixon.
Sky News commentator Peta Credlin was also awarded an AO for her “distinguished service to parliament and politics, to policy development and to the executive function of government”.
Sport and the arts were two consistent themes of this year’s list.
Besides former AFL player and motor neurone disease campaigner Neale Daniher receiving an AO, rugby league great Ricky Stuart and racing car drivers Larry Perkins and John Bowe received AMs. AFL player Michael Long received an OAM for his services to the code and the Indigenous community, joining AFLW player Erin Phillips, rugby league players Glenn Lazarus and Ruan Sims, and soccer great Robbie Slater.
Among the nation’s arts community, cinematographer Russell Boyd, who has worked on some of Australia’s most iconic films including Gallipolli and Picnic at Hanging Rock, was recognised with an AO.
Actor, writer and director Leah Purcell was recognised with an AM for her service to the performing arts, to First Nations youth and culture and to women.
The 2021 list includes 63 Australians specifically recognised for their contribution in support of Australia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
One is South Australia’s chief health officer Nicola Spurrier, awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) for her contribution to the pandemic response. Her honesty, transparency and directness in her public engagements about the pandemic had engendered public trust.
Then there were the hundreds of lesser known Australians, honoured for their longstanding commitment to their chosen calling or for their contributions in local communities. Among them is 88-year-old Arthur Coghlan, a magician and escapologist for more than 60 years, although these days it’s more magic and less handcuffs and chains.
He received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Mr Coghlan famously appeared live on the Don Lane Show in 1979, escaping from a stainless steel barrel suspended 30m in the air.
A recipient of the “Silver Cuffs Award” at the international Escape Artists Convention in 2007, Mr Coghlan, who now lives quietly on the Gold Coast with his wife of 66 years Val, still performs a little magic to kids at the Tallebudgera school camp once a week.
Newly awarded OAM Ngatauine Hosking came to Australia from the Cook Islands in 1986, and has served the multicultural community of Victoria since.
Her work includes creating Women’s Friendship Cafes to give migrant and refugee women the confidence and networks to pursue education and employment. Pacific Islanders, Burmese, Thai and Indonesian women are among those to benefit.
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