A top cop, a millionaire matriarch and the man with his finger on the economy's pulse are recognised alongside ordinary Aussies doing extraordinary things in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, Ros Packer and Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens are among the high-profile names being honoured along with hundreds of quiet achievers for their work in medicine, charities, sport, education and the arts.
Mrs Packer and Mr Stevens and 11 others are being appointed the top honour, a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia.
The 77-year-old widow of billionaire Kerry Packer is recognised for being a leading benefactor and patron to health care, medical research and social welfare groups, as well as her philanthropic contributions to the arts for more than four decades.
After a decade heading the RBA, Mr Stevens is recognised for his service to the financial sector through his involvement in economic policy and setting interest rates. Mr Stevens is due to step down on September 18 after spending his 36-year career at the RBA.
And while Mr Stevens has been honoured for watching the economy, Mr Scipione has been appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia for his service to law enforcement as NSW's top cop on the beat.
From the world of politics, former ALP president Warren Mundine is honoured for his role as an indigenous leader, while retired federal Liberal backbencher Judith Moylan has been recognised for her service to parliament and promoting the status of women.
Plenty of sports stars were honoured, including Swimming Australia president John Bertrand, who also famously skippered Australia II to victory in the 1983 America's Cup, as well as race walker Jared Tallent who will be retrospectively awarded a gold medal from the 2012 Olympics after Russian Sergey Kirdyapkin was revealed to be a drug cheat.
Keeping millions of Aussies entertained for the past few decades also earned 80s pop queen Kate Ceberano and Ol'55 frontman Frankie J Holden spots on the honours list.
Among the quiet achievers were Betty Burgess for her services to the Country Women's Association, Barbara Cochrane for being a Meals on Wheels driver for 24 years, and Pamela Dunlop for her work with the Victorian Working Sheepdog Association.
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove said the 771 Australians being honoured were role models who gave without any thought of recognition or personal gain.
"We are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them," he said.
Share
