From music legends to writers, cartoonists and architects, this year’s Australia Day Honours List recognises the contribution of Victorians to Australia’s creative industries and cultural life.
The late great Uncle Archie Roach was awarded the highest, Companion of the Order of Australia, for his service to the performing arts, to Indigenous rights and for supporting emerging First Peoples artists.
Music promoter Paul Dainty was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for his organisation of charity bushfire recovery events after the devastating 2019/20 fires; founder of the African music festival Fred Alale was recognised for significant service to the African communities of Victoria, and artist manager Terry Blamey was awarded for his contribution to the music industry.
Robert Manne, Judith Brett and Jenny Hocking were among the writers and academics to receive honours this year.
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne director Mitu Bhowmick Lange was recognised for her service to film, while conductor of the Australian Welsh Male Choir, Tom Buchanan, was recognised for services to music.
Museums Victoria Research Associate Lesley Kool, who Vis partly named after, was honoured for her services to palaeontology.
Business leaders and philanthropists were also recognised for their contribution to the arts, including former Victorian Opera chair Jane Hemstritch and member of the NGV Board of Trustees Andrew Penn.
See below for a full list of Victorian creative honourees – our congratulations to them all.
Find information on how to nominate someone for an Order of Australia.
2023 Victorian Australia Day Honours in the creative industries
Companion
Archibald William ROACH
For eminent service to the performing arts as a songwriter and musician, to Indigenous rights and reconciliation, and through support for emerging First Nations artists.
Officers
Paul Noel DAINTY
For distinguished service to the community through the organisation of charitable events following the Bushfires in 2019-20.
Jane HEMSTRITCH
For distinguished service to the community through medical research administration, the arts, and business roles.
Robert Michael MANNE
For distinguished service to tertiary education, to political and social commentary, to public affairs, and to the Indigenous community.
Andrew PENN
For distinguished service to business, to charitable organisations, to youth, and to the arts.
Mary-Jane GETHING
For distinguished service to biochemistry and molecular biology, to tertiary education and the arts.
Members
Edward Anthony ADAIR
For significant service to arts administration and philanthropic endeavours.
Frederick Eyitayo ALALE
For significant service to the African communities of Victoria.
Robert Terry BLAMEY
For significant service to management in the music industry.
Judith Margaret BRETT
For significant service to education and public debate, particularly in social science and politics.
Belinda DUARTE
For significant service to the Indigenous community, and to sports administration.
Elisabetta Maria GIANNINI
For significant service to architecture, and to the arts.
Jennifer Jane HOCKING
For significant service to the preservation of Australian political history.
Suzanne Jennifer HUNT
For significant service to the arts, particularly live performance, and to community health.
Honorary Member
Mitu BHOWMICK LANGE
For significant service to the performing arts through film.
Medals
June Frances BROWN
For service to the creative arts.
Thomas Maxwell BUCHANAN
For service to music, particularly through choirs.
Helen Patricia CHAMBERLIN
For service to literature as a publisher.
Elizabeth EXINTARIS
For service to the community, particularly through music.
Adrian FACTOR
For service to the Jewish community, and to music.
Jill Elisabeth FENWICK
For service to community history preservation.
Lesley KOOL
For service to palaeontology.
James Vane LINDESAY
For service to literature as a cartoonist, illustrator and writer.
Colin MOCKETT
For service to the arts, and to local history.
Richard Douglas MOORE
For service to music through pipe bands.
Mervyn Gregory MORIARTY
For service to the visual arts.
Elaine Therese MURPHY
For service to education, and to the arts.
Narmatha RAVICHANDHIRA
For service to the arts in music and dance.
Kenneth Victor SIMPSON-BULL
For service to jazz music preservation.
Liliane VITA
For service to dance as a teacher and administrator.
Alan James THOMPSON
For services to wood turning.