Human rights lawyers, infectious disease expert and Indigenous advocate headline Australia Day honours

On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Australian National Day Honours List, this year's awards have been bestowed upon a group of distinguished individuals, including two prominent Australian human rights lawyers, a leading infectious disease expert, and a deceased Indigenous activist. These awards aim to recognize their outstanding contributions to Australian society.

Governor-General Samantha Mostyn announced today that a total of 732 people have been included on the annual honours list. Among them, six individuals have received Australia's highest honour – the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). These individuals include human rights lawyers Gillian Triggs and Megan Davis. Triggs previously served as Assistant High Commissioner for the United Nations Refugee Agency and President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. Davis is an internationally renowned lawyer who played a significant role in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal and the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The late Indigenous advocate Galarrwuy Yunupingu, the 1978 Australian of the Year, was also awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia. In addition to his long career as a leader of the land rights movement, Yunupingu was the brother of Mandawuy Yunupingu, lead singer of the Yothu Yindi band, and played an important role in the band's work, responsible for album cover design and singing traditional lyrics in some songs. Epidemiologist Allen Cheng, former Deputy Chief Health Officer of Victoria (who became a public figure in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic response), High Court Justice James Edelman, and Gondwana Choir founder Lyn Williams also received the Companion of the Order of Australia.

The honours list also includes all Australian athletes who won their first gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, including canoeist Noemie Fox, swimmer Alexa Leary, and 14-year-old skateboarder Arisa Trew. Former Australian women's cricket captain Raelee Thompson, and singer-songwriter and ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Gerard Bertelkamp (better known as Beeb Birtles) were awarded Member of the Order of Australia.

Mostyn stated: "Reading the stories of the award recipients reminds us that contribution to the community nationwide, and caring, kindness, respect and love, are the most important things for all Australians, in all walks of life. The recipients embody the best of us, and we thank them all. This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australian Honours system. In the next 50 years of honours and awards, we have a wonderful opportunity to reflect our generous, successful and modern Australian society. For all Australians, nominating and recognising our fellow citizens is a meaningful way to express our gratitude as a nation."