Victorians from across the arts and creative industries have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List for their contribution to our creative state.
Philanthropist Paula Fox was recognised with Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her longstanding service to the arts and range of community causes. Fox’s contribution has included a major donation of $100 million which Paula and her husband Lindsay Fox made toward the creation of The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Renowned children’s author and illustrator Graeme Base received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to children’s literature, while musician Eliza Hull was recognised for service to the arts and people with disability.
See below for a list of the Victorian creative honourees. Our congratulations to all.
2026 Victorian Australia Day Honours in the creative industries
Companion
Paula Fox
For eminent service to the arts, to medical research, and to children and youth, through philanthropic giving, fundraising and governance.
Officer
Anthony Burgess
For distinguished service to business, to tertiary education, to philanthropic corporate governance and benefaction, and to the arts.
Members
Graeme Base
For significant service to children’s literature as an author and illustrator.
Justine Clark
For significant service to architecture in a range of appointments.
Paul Cross
For significant service to the arts, and to secondary education.
Sylvia Falzon
For significant service to community health, to corporate governance, and to the museums and finance sectors.
Barry Janes
For significant service to the arts, and to philanthropic initiatives.
Janette Kendall
For significant service to business, to the arts, to the marketing sector, and to the community.
Medals
Dr Kevin Cameron
For service to music, and to education.
Nicholas Pearce and Marcus Crook
For service to the community through the not-for-profit sector (founders of streetwear business, Homie).
The late David Heard
For service to community radio.
Eliza Hull
For service to people with disability, and to the arts.
Mohammad Kamruzzaman
For service to the arts, and to the Bengali community of Melbourne.
Neil McLeod
For service to the visual arts.
The late Jacobus Smits
For service to the community of Port Fairy, including the Port Fairy Folk Festival.