Australia Day honours recognise inspiring Queenslanders

• More than 140 Queenslanders receive Australia Day honours
• Two of only four national recipients appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) are Queenslanders

The 2024 Australia Day Honours List has recognised 147 Queenslanders for their outstanding contributions to the nation.

Recipients include University of Queensland Vice Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry and leading criminologist and researcher Professor Lorraine Mazerolle who are two of only four people nationally appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia.

Professor Terry AC is honoured for her service to tertiary education as an institutional leader and academic, for strengthening higher education, and to the community.

Professor Mazerolle AC receives her award for her service to education, to the social sciences as a criminologist and researcher, and to the development of innovative, evidence-based policing reforms.

An Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) honour, for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large, has been awarded to Emeritus Professor Deborah Theodoros for service to community health, rehabilitation sciences, and tertiary education.

The Australia Day Honours List was today announced by the Governor-General His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd).

Other recipients of Australia Day honours include Indigenous health administrator Adrian Carson, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australian (AM), and long-standing television weather presenter Jenny Woodward, awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

There are 98 Queensland recipients of Order of Australia honours in the General division, including four posthumous awards, 37 recipients awarded Meritorious Service Awards, and 12 recipients receiving military awards for distinguished and conspicuous service.

At a national level, this is the second time since the introduction of the Australian honours system in 1975 that more women (50.5 per cent) than men have been recognised in the Order of Australia General Division.

Recipients will be presented with their awards at an Investiture Ceremony, in the coming months, either by the Governor-General of Australia at Government House in Canberra, or by Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeanette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland.

Quotes attributable to Premier Seven Miles:

“Congratulations to all Queenslanders who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the nation with an Australia Day honour.

“The number and significance of the honours emphasises the amazing work undertaken by ordinary Queenslanders every day.

“I would like thank each and every one of them for their contribution to helping make Queensland, and Australia, such a great place to live.”

Further information:

Queenslanders are encouraged to nominate members of their community for an Order of Australia throughout the year to ensure high achievement, professional contributions and charitable pursuits are justly recognised and celebrated.

The Council for the Order of Australia – and independent body with representatives from each state and territory of Australia – meets twice a year to consider nominations.

The nomination form for the Order of Australia can be found at www.gg.gov.au

The complete Australia Day 2024 Honours List is available on the Governor-General’s website.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney Thompson - 0433 585 570