(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
More than seven hundred Australians have been recognised in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.
They come from a wide range of professions, industries and communities.
Among those honoured are people serving Australia's ethnic communities, and also contributing to our relations with other countries.
Vesna Nazor reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Kirsty Sword Gusmao is a former aid worker, human rights activist, and undercover agent - Alias Ruby Blade.
She's also the Melbourne girl who married East Timor's resistance hero, Xanana Gusmao.
In 2002, she became the first lady of a newly independent East Timor.
Now back in Melbourne, where she lives with the couple's three sons, Kirsty has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for distinguished service to relations between Australia and East Timor.
And as an advocate for the Timorese people.
"Obviously, it's a tremendous honour, a great privilege, it was somewhat surprising too, I guess. You know, over the years of my activism and my advocacy work for Timor Leste, I've not exactly felt supported by the Australian Government, particularly during the years of the Indonesian occupation.But nonetheless, it's a wonderful recognition. And it's a great motivator to continue. "
Kirsty has been in Melbourne since undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 2012.
She and Xanana have separated, but her ties with her adopted homeland remain strong.
"I guess I've been a matchmaker, matching you know the needs, tremendous needs within Timorese society, with different groups in the Australian community. So it's my plan to continue to travel back and forth, and to build stronger and further relations, between groups in the two countries."
Indigenous singer and songwriter Archie Roach, already has a collection of music industry awards.
"Then they took the Children Away...took the children away..."
Now, 25 years after his haunting anthem to the Stolen Generations, he's been honoured for significant service to the performing arts, becoming a Member of the Order of Australia.
"I think it's a great, it's a great honour. Yeah, I love doing what I do. I love music, I love playing music. I love the audience- the audience has become a great friend. Most of my songs, have a message, or a story, yeah. Lately, it's about love, yeah."
Archie has also been recognised for service to the community as a spokesman for social justice.
"It's in our hands, as Australians, and the ordinary folk, ordinary Australians , everyday citizens, to affect change, in this country, for the better, for the better of the country and the future, our future generations, yeah."
Hass Dellal is the Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation.
He's been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, for distinguished service to the multicultural community through leadership and advisory roles.
He's spent decades promoting Australia's cultural diversity.
"Cultural diversity, is one of Australia's greatest assets.We can all agree that cultural diversity has enriched all our lives, in one way and another. But it also pushes us to accept a different reality from our own and that's where the challenge lies. That respect and that acceptance of that difference. And this is what we need to work constantly at. And appreciate that we need to work hard, to have that respect for each other."
Hass Dellal believes a multicutlural Australia has much to celebrate.
"I think we have come ahead, in leaps and bounds in this nation. And I know we have challenges, like any other country in the world. But the important thing is, we have laid a very solid foundation, as a multicultural nation. We have policies that assist people, to be able to settle, integrate, and make their contribution. And that's what's important. If you look at what we have achieved as a nation, it's something that we shouldn't underestimate. And we should be telling and celebrating a lot more of the good stories, and the achievements that we have made, as a nation."
The Honours List also recognises Australia's quiet achievers, people serving their communities and making a difference.
Iraqi born Amad Ismail Mtashar is a chemical engineer who came to Australia more than 20 years ago.
He's been helping other migrants ever since.
He's been awarded a Medal in the order of Australia - for service to multicultural relations and to the community of south western Sydney.
"This kind of appreciation, it is an appreciation, this award, which is a privilege for me and my family, really. And this country is great. So we have to serve this country.
I am humble and feel happy when I help people. And this is how it goes. This country accepts migrants in general and helps us. So, I'm proud to be skilled migrant, helping refugees and the settlement and other kinds of immigration."
Amad also plays a leading role in Sydney's Mandaean Community.
"As you know I am a Mandaean from Iraq. And I am proud for my Mandaean background, and Iraqi background, as well, and Australian now background. So, I should serve the three in one direction."
The Mandaeans are a religious minority from Iraq and Iran with ancient rituals and beliefs.
They conduct their prayer services in the ancient Aramaic language, practises the Mandaeans in Australia are striving to preserve, along with their unique identity.
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