This year’s King’s Birthday Honours have spotlighted a diverse group of 949 Australians, highlighting their impressive contributions to society. Among those celebrated are influential figures such as Indigenous and community leaders, gender equality champions, and a martial arts instructor.
Mechelle Turvey, whose son Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji schoolboy, was tragically murdered, stands out as one of the honourees. Also acknowledged are Natasha Stott Despoja, a former senator renowned for her advocacy in gender equality, and Anne Pang, a Melbourne-based martial arts instructor who has made significant impacts in her field.
The announcement, made by Governor-General Sam Mostyn on Sunday night, emphasized that the honours serve to recognize Australians who have been nominated by their communities. Recommendations come from both the independent Council for the Order of Australia and various organizations responsible for acknowledging meritorious and conspicuous service.
“Our honours system is a testament to the outstanding people who contribute immensely to Australia,” Mostyn stated. “Whether in our communities, workplaces, or throughout the nation, these recipients have made exceptional contributions to our country.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the past 50 years, Mostyn added, “The service and achievements of those honoured in areas like public service, industry, academia, science, the arts, and sport are instrumental in shaping our nation.”
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Of the 703 recognised in the Order of Australia (general division), five were appointed Companion of the Order (AC), 40 appointed Officer of the Order (AO), 183 appointed Member of the Order (AM) and 475 awarded Medal of the Order (OAM).
There were 471 male and 230 female recipients, and two people who used a different term.
Use the table below to search the full list.
The youngest recipient is 34-year-old Sarah Ward, who founded The Misfit Project, a charity organisation dedicated to youth empowerment through creativity and support.
The oldest living recipient was 106-year-old Florence Drury, recognised for community service in a range of roles.
There were also 34 recipients of awards in the military division of the Order of Australia (3 AO, 11 AM and 20 OAM), 149 meritorious awards and 63 conspicuous awards.
Turning grief into advocacy
For Senior Noongar Yamatji woman Mechelle Turvey, her OAM comes after years of transforming unimaginable loss into community leadership.
In October 2022, her son Cassius Turvey was assaulted while walking home from school. The 15-year-old tragically died from his injuries 10 days later.
His death sparked grief and outrage across Australia, with vigils and rallies held around the country in solidarity with his family.
But rather than retreat from public life, Turvey chose to advocate for victims of crime and their families.
Since 2023, she has helped train Western Australia Police Force recruits, drawing on her own experiences to help officers better understand how victims and families experience trauma.
She said building trust between Aboriginal communities and institutions remains one of her key goals.
“It is about getting out there with Aboriginal people, getting the police as well at the same table, to clear up misunderstandings and just to enhance that trust and get over those boundaries,” Turvey said.
Turvey said she dedicates this recognition to many others.
“I accept this award for those hardworking people out there that are working towards Aboriginal people and communities,” she said.
A lifetime advocating for women and girls
At just 26 years old, Natasha Stott Despoja became the youngest woman elected to the Australian parliament at the time and went on to build a career that focused on advancing the rights of women and girls.
After leaving parliament, Stott Despoja has since narrowed her focus on gender equality, human rights and the prevention of violence against women.
Becoming the founding chair of Our Watch in 2013, the national organisation was established to prevent violence against women and children. She later served as Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, representing the nation in various international roles focused on women’s rights.
She currently serves on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and was recently appointed commissioner of South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
She has been appointed AC for her decades of work advocating for women and girls both in Australia and internationally.
Building bridges through self-defence
Melbourne martial arts instructor Anne Pang has spent more than three decades helping Australians build a sense of safety and self-belief.
After arriving in Australia as a migrant, Pang has since built a career in martial arts and become a leading advocate for women’s self-defence.
Recognised with an OAM for her service to Melbourne’s Chinese community, Pang says a key focus of hers is strengthening understanding between Chinese Australians and the wider community.
She said her own migration experience helped shape her commitment to community building, and believes understanding between communities benefits everyone.
“It makes the social cohesion so much easier, and it just makes our society so much more harmonious, and that’s what I think I am set out to do,” she said.
Supporting older Australians through culture and connection
Sydney educator and community leader Bijinder Dugal has been recognised with an OAM for helping older members within Australia’s Indian communities remain connected through culture and social support. Through music, dance, and art, she has worked to reduce social isolation, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
As co-founding director of AASHA Australia Foundation, Dugal’s volunteer-run organisation promotes physical and mental wellbeing while helping older Indian Australians maintain connections to culture and identity.
Dugal said she hopes her community will continue building on that legacy.
“To the younger generation, my message is simple: please carry forward the mission of Australia,” she said.
Celebrating the achievements of Greek women
Panagiotis ‘Peter’ Andrinopoulos has spent over three decades supporting Australia’s Greek community.
Helping preserve Greek Australian history and culture by working across community organisations, welfare services and cultural institutions, he has been recognised with an OAM for his service to Melbourne’s Greek community.
Among his most recent projects was a publication celebrating the achievements of women with Greek heritage, highlighting stories he believes have too often gone unrecognised.
“The genesis of the idea was to celebrate women. Often times women are marginalised, they’re left on the sidelines,” he said.
Andrinopoulos said so many women have made substantial contributions to community life without receiving the same recognition as men.
“They might be just as active as men, but it seems that men tend to get more attention for doing similar exploits,” he said.
The project sought to ensure the achievements of Greek Australian women are preserved for future generations.
Recognising decades of public service
Former New South Wales premier Morris Iemma is also among those appointed AO for his service to the people of NSW and his work in the not-for-profit sector and community sport.
Iemma served as the state’s 40th premier between 2005 and 2008 after representing the south-west Sydney electorate of Lakemba in parliament for more than a decade.
During his political career he held several senior ministerial portfolios and played a prominent role in state politics.
Following his departure from parliament, he continued working in public affairs and government relations, including advising organisations in the property and infrastructure sectors.
Honouring the legacy of Katie Allen
Among those recognised this year is the late professor Katrina ‘Katie’ Allen, whose career spanned medicine, research and public service.
A respected paediatric allergist and researcher, Allen spent decades working to improve health outcomes for Australian children and families before entering federal politics.
She served as the Liberal member for Higgins between 2019 and 2022 and became a strong advocate for health and medical research.
Allen died in 2025 following a battle with cancer.
Her inclusion in this year’s honours list as an AO recognises a lifetime dedicated to public service, scientific research and improving the lives of Australians.
Reflecting modern Australia
While their contributions span different fields, communities and generations, this year’s recipients share a common commitment to helping others.
From supporting victims of crime and advancing women’s rights to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening community connections, reflecting the many ways Australians contribute to public life.
This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Mandarin and SBS Punjabi.
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