Olympic legend, top silks score highest honours
From an Olympic legend to the sharpest legal minds, groundbreaking researchers and leading politicians, Australians from all walks of life are recognized for their contributions to the country.
Nearly 680 people have been honored in the overall division of the Order of Australia as part of the annual Australia Day honors list.
It’s been more than 25 years since Cathy Freeman crossed the finish line first in the nation-uniting gold medal race in the women’s 400 meters race at the Sydney Olympics.
An estimated 8.8 million people across Australia watched as Kuku-Yalanji and Biriri Gubba took a barefoot victory lap at the 2000 Games.
Ms Freeman is among 10 people appointed to the Order of Australia (AC), the highest honour, recognized for her services to athletics, her social impact across Australia and as a role model to young people.
The other AC appointee, Chris Kourakis, has presided over the Supreme Court of South Australia as chief justice since 2012.
But the senior jurist, who will be appointed head of the state court in February, is delighted to be recognized for his contributions to the Greek community.
His upbringing as one of 10 children of immigrant parents led him to a career in law.
“The experiences of immigrant communities in Australia have shaped many of my views and opinions on equal opportunity, which is why I have been keen to support immigrant communities to establish themselves,” Chief Justice Kourakis told AAP.
“My mother’s family had a strong commitment to social justice… They were full of ideas about how the world should be organized, and by the end of high school there was really no doubt that I wanted to be a lawyer.”
Chief Justice Kourakis recently issued official guidelines on the use of generative artificial intelligence in the legal profession, reminding lawyers of their professional and ethical obligations.
Another senior lawman, barrister and former NSW Supreme Court judge Geoffrey Bellew SC, also said it was special to be recognized for his work outside the law, given his father Tom received a similar award 40 years ago.
Mr Bellew was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his work in law as well as his contribution to rugby league as a former NRL director and the sport’s head of judiciary.
His father also “essentially ran the game” for a time, making the award particularly important as the pair had a very close relationship throughout their lives.
One memorable moment of his career was presiding over the trial of disgraced ex-cops Roger Rogerson and Luke McNamara, who were found guilty of murder in 2016.
Hours after the verdict was announced, Mr Bellew sat as NRL head of judiciary to preside over a difficult case.
Other AC recipients include NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell, cancer and epidemiologist Bruce Armstrong, biomedical researcher Anne Kelso, climate expert Peter John Cook, cancer researcher Paula Fox and quantum physicist Michelle Simmons.
Mathias Cormann, who went from federal minister to OECD secretary-general, Kristina Keneally, the first female premier of NSW, and Annastacia Palaszczuk, the former long-serving premier of Queensland, are among the well-known politicians.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the awardees’ diverse achievements reflected the value Australians place on service, community, kindness, curiosity, perseverance and care.
“As the list so vividly shows, many Australians continue to do their best in many endeavors in the interests of others,” he said.
The youngest person to receive help was 32-year-old Nicholas Pearce, who was known for helping homeless youth.
The oldest surviving recipients are Janina Archabuz and Derrick Hammon, both 99 years old.
A further 269 Australians were honored with separate awards for their work in the military, emergency services and public services.
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