157 Queenslanders recognised in King’s first Birthday Honours

• 157 Queenslanders have been recognised in The King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List.
• Honourees have been recognised across the fields of science, health, public service, music, palaeontology and more.
• Three Queenslanders have been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
• Twenty-nine recipients have been appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM).
• Ninety-one have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

More than 150 Queenslanders have been recognised in The King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List for their outstanding service across the science, health, public service, music and palaeontology sectors.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the 157 Queensland honourees for their contributions and inspiring achievements which have positively impacted the lives of Queenslanders.

Three Queenslanders have been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large.

They are biological and medicinal chemistry scientist Professor David Craik, obstetrician and gynaecologist Professor David Ellwood and current Chair of the North West Queensland Hospital and Health Service Board Cheryl Vardon.

Twenty-nine recipients have been appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM) including the current Mayor of Townsville Jenny Hill, former Queensland Senator Ian MacDonald and former Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Professor Peter Martin.

Founder of Pub Choir Astrid Jorgensen, former Queensland Health Minister Ken Hayward and co-founders of the Outback Gondwana Foundation Robyn and Stuart Mackenzie are four of 91 recipients awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“In every corner of our great state there are Queenslanders doing amazing things, and today we have the chance to recognise some of that hard work on an international stage.

“To each of the 157 Queensland honourees in the King’s first Birthday Honours – congratulations.

“It is no small feat to be selected for such an esteemed list, so each recipient should be proud of their achievements.

“The 2023 cohort represent some of the best Queensland has to offer across the fields of healthcare, music, science and the public service.

“Our honourees now leave a lasting legacy for the people of Queensland and for generations to come.”

Further information:

Queenslanders are encouraged to nominate remarkable members of their community for an Order of Australia throughout the year, with the Council for the order of Australia meeting biannually to consider nominations.

The nomination form for the Order of Australia and a complete list of The King’s Birthday 2023 Honours recipients is available on the Governor-General’s website at www.gg.gov.au.

ENDS