A former University Librarian at the ANU, author and, more recently, CityNews book reviewer Colin Steele has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Australia Day honours. 

Ivan Slavich, well known locally for his relentless charity fundraising, especially for Camp Quality, was also appointed an AM.

“I am very surprised and humbled by the acknowledgement, and especially happy that it also acknowledges the causes and businesses that I have been involved with over the years,” he says.

Topping the ACT list with an Officer of the Order of Australia honour is ANU academic Prof Prof Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt and Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty. 

In announcing honours and awards for 1042 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service, Governor General David Hurley said of the recipients: “Individually, they are inspiring and collectively they speak to the strength of our communities. 

“Recipients come from all parts of the country. They have served and had an impact in just about every field you can imagine; their stories and backgrounds are diverse. We value their service, thank them for their hard work and selflessness and, today, celebrate them.”

For the second consecutive Honours list the majority of recipients in the General Division are women. 

“To all Australians: our honours system belongs to all of us and the Order of Australia must reflect who we are. We can all nominate someone we admire and respect for recognition. Please consider doing so,” the Governor-General said.

Here is the list of local and regional people honoured in the 2024 Australia Day awards:

 Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 

Prof Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt, Watson, for distinguished service to natural resource management research and innovation, to gender equality, and to tertiary education.

Mr Gregory Lawrence Moriarty, ACT, for distinguished service to public administration in leadership roles, particularly in national and international security.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 

Emeritus Professor Dudley Cecil Creagh, Griffith, for significant service to science, and to tertiary education.

Emeritus Professor Hilton John Kobus, ACT, for significant service to forensic science through governance and administrative roles.

Emeritus Professor Christian Joseph Lueck, ACT, for significant service to neurology and neuro-ophthalmology through medical research and clinical practice.

Mr Benedict George Maguire, Bowning NSW, for significant service to veteran rehabilitation and support, and to the community.

Her Excellency Ms Harinder Kaur Sidhu, ACT, for significant service to public administration, and to foreign affairs.

Mr Ivan Roman Slavich, Denman Prospect, for significant service to business, and to the community through governance and philanthropic endeavours.

Mr Colin Robert Steele, ACT, for significant service to librarianship, and to digital information sharing.

The late Ms Sophie Jessica Trevitt, ACT, for significant service to social justice, and to human rights protection for youth and Indigenous people.

Clinical Associate Professor Kathleen Elizabeth Tymms, ACT, for significant service to rheumatology, and to professional associations.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 

Mrs Stephanie Joy Armstrong, ACT, for service to indigenous health and education.

Mrs Bronwyn Alice Brown, Bruce, for service to the community through music.

Mrs Vicki Lynnette Brown, Fadden, for service to education, and to the community.

Mr Isaac Te Ao Cotter, Karabar NSW, for service to the Maori community of Australia and NZ.

Ms Kyira Louise Cox, ACT, for service to softball.

Mrs Elizabeth Jan Dawes, Gordon, for service to the community through social welfare organisations.

Miss Gail Margaret Eastaway, Cooma NSW, for service to the print media, and to the community.

Dr Benjamin James Field, Turner, for service to osteopathy.

Mr David Charles Hatherly, Holder, for service to the community of the ACT.

Mrs Marina Jane Maguire, Bowning NSW, for service to veterans, and to the community.

Mrs Lois Pearl Maiden, Forrest, for service to primary and early childhood education.

Mr Ronald Noel Miller, Gundaroo NSW, for service to the community of Gundaroo.

Mr Peter Thornton Murray, Red Hill, for service to the community of Canberra.

Ms Ruth Bronwyn Osborne, Watson, for service to the performing arts, particularly dance.

Ms Wendy Parsons, ACT, for service to animal welfare.

Mrs Ann Sutton, Kingston, for service to the community through a range of organisations.

Mr Roy Henry Teymant, ACT, for service to chess.

Mrs Catherine Verlie Walker, Yass NSW, for service to education, and to the community.

Mr Peter Charles Waterman, Griffith, for service to the media as a journalist.

Dr Christopher Lex Watson, Latham, for service to the community of Belconnen.

Public Service Medal (PSM) 

Federal


Dr John Harold Dawson, Ainslie, for outstanding public service to government, industry and the community to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes for Australia.

Mr Nicholas John Housego, Pearce, for outstanding public service in developing and embedding the practice of facilitation services within government departments and agencies.

Ms Amanda Lee, ACT, for outstanding public service in leadership and professionalism in the development and delivery of the Commonwealth budgets and fiscal policy.

Ms Chantelle Stratford, ACT, for outstanding public service in leadership and innovation in gender equality and women’s policy within the Australian Government.

Ms Gemma Van Halderen, Turner, for outstanding public service in delivering significant statistical developments for better use of data for public policy purposes, both in Australia and internationally.

Australian Capital Territory


Ms Kareena Arthy, ACT, for outstanding public service to economic development and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Fiona Barbaro, Campbell, for outstanding public service to the ACT government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Ms Natalie Jayne Cooper, Bungendore, for outstanding public service in communications for the ACT government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Mr Rodney Dix, Wamboin NSW, for outstanding public service to environmental protection services across the ACT.

Ms Karen Elizabeth Doran, ACT, for outstanding public service to community safety through leadership, policy advice and program administration.

Ms Emma May Gowling, NSW, for outstanding public service to the Office of the COVID-19 Local Business Commissioner for the ACT.

Mr Michael Hatswell, For outstanding public service to public education as the principal of Evatt Primary School.

Mr Jonathan Kobus, ACT, for outstanding public service to the Canberra and region tourism industry through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Victor Hugo Martin, ACT, for outstanding public service in managing the COVID-19 Proactive Compliance Inspection Program for the ACT’s COVID-19 response.

Ms Jenny Anne Priest, Pearce, for outstanding public service in leading the delivery of Business Support Grants to businesses in the ACT impacted by COVID-19.

Ms Charmaine Smith, ACT, for outstanding public service to the ACT government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Ms Susan Ruth Vroombout, Curtin, for outstanding public service as the Deputy Under Treasurer in the ACT Treasury during COVID-19.

Ms Joanne Margaret Wood, Kaleen, for outstanding public service in supporting vulnerable Canberrans throughout the ACT’s COVID-19 response.

Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) 

Mr Gerald Peter Muhldorff, ACT

Emergency Services Medal (ESM) 

Mr Tristan Wesley Peemoeller, ACT.

Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) 

Mr Dean Matthew Smith, ACT