Medical research is at the forefront in the 2015 Australia Day honours, with three leading scientists among the five people to receive the nation's highest accolade.
Kidney transplantation expert Professor Jeremy Chapman, malaria specialist Professor Brendan Crabb and glandular conditions researcher Professor John Funder have been appointed Companions (AC) of the Order of Australia.
Marcus Besen, philanthropist and founder of the Sussan clothing business, and educator Professor Janice Reid, most recently vice-chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, have also received the honour.
The people who receive Australia Day honours are always a diverse group and the 613 named in the 2015 list are no different but, as always, they share the common traits of dedication and remarkable achievement in one or a number of fields.
Champion surfer Layne Beachley has been appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia for her services to the community and sport, while Australia's ambassador to France, Stephen Brady, and former Liberal MP Richard Alston have been named officers.
Among those joining the ranks of members of the Order of Australia are movie aficionado David Stratton for his services to the film industry, and actor and writer Judy Nunn, who is most famous for playing Ailsa Stewart in TV soap Home and Away but is also an internationally successful author.
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, who is Chancellor of the Order of Australia, said the recipients of Australia Day honours had dedicated themselves to making Australia a better place.
"Today's recipients now join the company of more than 40,000 women and men whose actions have enriched our community," he said.
Household names are dotted through the list - journalist George Negus (AM), broadcaster Jessica Rowe (AM) and finance whiz Mark Bouris (AM) among them - as are successful business people such as construction boss Lang Walker (AO).
Chairman of the Council of the Order of Australia, retired Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said the awards also recognised "the quiet achievers in our midst".
"They are people who serve the community but do not seek accolades," he said.
Canberra's Sally Richards is one such recipient - awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her groundbreaking work in creating a meaningful and productive life for her intellectually disabled son, Jackson West, and showing new possibilities for people affected by intellectual disability.
There are 406 males and 207 females in this year's round of honours in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
A further 130 people receive Meritorious Awards, such as the Public Service Medal and the Australian Police Medal, for their work in public organisations.
Twenty-two awards have been granted in the Military Division of the Order of Australia and 59 Military Awards have been made.
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