It’s the Queen’s Birthday, which aside from the always-festive Trooping the Colour event for the Royals and the blessed day off we receive, also brings us a slew of notable Aussies doing exceptional things who are bestowed with fancy titles by the Queen herself.
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This year, over 1,000 Australians received Order of Australia honours, including the highest level Companion of the Order (AC), the Officer of the Order (AO), the Member of the Order (AM) and the Medal of the Order (OAM). Forevermore, these people get to put that acronym after their name and feel very smug about it indeed.
Hugh Jackman was among the 12 people who received AC honours this year for “eminent service to the performing arts as an acclaimed actor and performer, and to the global community, particularly as an advocate for poverty eradication”, while Ita Buttrose also scored the highest honour for “eminent service to the community through leadership in the media, the arts, and the health sector, and as a role model.” Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was also on the AC list for “eminent service to the Parliament of Australia, particularly as Prime Minister, to Indigenous reconciliation, innovative economic initiatives and major policy reform, and through senior advisory roles with international organisations.”
Campaigner and domestic violence survivor Rosie Batty was given AO honours for “distinguished service to the community as a campaigner and advocate for the prevention of family violence”, while Li Cunxin, author of Mao’s Last Dancer, also got AO honours for ” distinguished service to the performing arts, particularly to ballet, as a dancer and artistic director”.
Onto AM now, and Guy Sebastian was recognised for his music and his charity work, which was heralded as “significant service to the music recording industry, and to charitable initiatives”. ABC journo and author Leigh Sales got AM honours too for “significant service to the broadcast media”, and Eric Bana for “significant service to the performing arts, and to charitable organisations”.
Jackman said in a statement:
As the youngest son of parents who made the decision to immigrate to Australia the year before I was born, this honour is especially emotional and humbling to me. I am an immensely proud Australian, and am so grateful for the opportunities I have received by being raised there.
While Bana thinks his iconic character Poida would be taken aback by the honour.
“I think Poida would be pretty shocked,” Bana told the Sydney Morning Herald. “Then again, he might have been expecting one years ago.”
The entire list of honourees includes professors, doctors, Indigenous rights activists, scientists, politicians, disability advocates, and those working for women’s rights. You can see the entire list of awesome Aussies right HERE.
Congrats, and thank you, to all.
