Governor-General David Hurley announced the 1191 Australian recipients of the 2023 honours and awards on Monday, saying they had made “substantial contributions and had a significant impact at the local, national or international level”.

“Some are volunteers, others have had a remarkable impact in professional roles – many have done both. They are all inspiring and their service is valued by us all,” he said.

This year is the first since the Order of Australia was established in 1975 in which the majority of the 919 recipients in the General Division are women.

Tasmanian tourism legend Josef Chromy, 92, is one of just 49 Australians to be appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) – the highest honour bestowed on a Tasmanian on the Honours List.

As a broke 19-year-old, Mr Chromy fled war-torn Czechoslovakia in 1950, following 11 years of Nazi and Soviet oppression.

He escaped across borders lined with minefields and patrolling soldiers and dogs, but not before his best friend, Beda, was shot and killed.

Mr Chromy emigrated to Australia after spending five months in Austria as a refugee.

Over the next 40 years, Mr Chromy, a master butcher, built Blue Ribbon Meat Products, the only smallgoods and meat export company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1997 for his service to business and community.

Today he is best known for Josef Chromy Wines, his award-winning wine business with a vineyard at Relbia.

“I am happy, happy, happy,” Mr Chromy said when asked how he felt to have received the latest honour.

“It was 73 years ago today that I finally found my freedom after crossing by foot into US-occupied Austria, near Linz, on the 12th and 13th of June.

“This day every year is emotional for me because it is when I found my freedom, so to be honoured with an AO today just brings a tear to my eye.

“I want to thank the community for welcoming me and supporting me in my various businesses over the years, and for honouring me again in my twilight years.”

Mr Chromy is also one of the state’s biggest property developers, having overseen the construction of hotels, restaurants, commercial buildings, shopping centres, a redeveloped theme park, apartments, and more than a dozen residential subdivisions.

Major General Natasha Fox, who was born and raised at Rosebery, was made an Officer in the Military Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) people capability in her roles as Head People Capability and Deputy Chief of Army.

Major General Fox is the most senior woman in the Australian Army.

She has been credited with strengthening the ADF’s strategic workforce planning, personnel policy and capacity – achievements which have helped the defence force realise its objectives and protect Australia’s national interests.

Tasmanian Beekeepers Association president Lindsay Bourke, of Launceston, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the beekeeping and honey industry and to the community.

“I did not expect this nomination. I am very proud and humbled to be recognised for the hard work and passion that I have put into the beekeeping industry,” he said.

Mr Bourke has been growing and harvesting honey from bees in Tasmania for more than 40 years.

“There is nothing better than opening up a bee hive after two weeks on the leatherwood and seeing it full of beautiful honey and pure white wax,” he said.

Mr Bourke’s company has been one of Australia’s major multi-variety crop pollinators, servicing crops including apple, pear, blueberries, clover, carrots, cherries, chicory, fennel, lucerne, onions and many varieties of brassicas, illustrating the vital importance of bees in our food supply.

Noel Pearce, of Latrobe, was also made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to cycling and sport.

The former president of Cycling Tasmania, Mr Pearce continues to give back to the cycling community, even though he himself is no longer an active participant in the sport.

He said he felt humbled to have been nominated.

“It’s such a prestigious award, I still can’t believe what has happened,” Mr Pearce said.

Recognition also flowed across tiers of government, with long-serving Labor MP Judy Jackson – Tasmania’s first female Attorney-General – appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, and former West Coast mayor Phil Vickers receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community.