2024 Australia Day Honours list recognises more than 1,000 people

A range of people from across the leisure industry have been recognised in the 2024 Australia Day Honours list.

For only the second time in the history of the Honours, more women than men have been recognised in the 1,042 people on this year's Australia Day list.

Advising that all recipients had made a profound contribution, Australian Governor-General, David Hurley stated “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.

"In my experience most are humble and often try to deflect attention or praise - please enjoy the moment because your country has decided that you deserve recognition."

Among the recipients, Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, swimmer Ellie Cole is among those awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) - recognised for her advocacy for diversity and inclusion.

After losing her right leg to cancer when she was a young child, Cole has gone on to win 17 Paralympic Games medals, including six gold, as well as playing a role in sports administration.

Christina Matthews, wicketkeeper for the Australian women’s team in the 1980s and 1990s before moving into sports administration, becoming Chief Executive of the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA).

For her services to cricket, Matthews has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Michael Bushell, founder and current Group Managing Director of Sports Marketing and Management, has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to sports administration through a range of roles.

Bushell’s contributions to Australian sport has previously been recognised through honours including the Australian Sports Medal, the AOC Olympic Order of Merit and the IOC Golden Rings award.

In entertainment, musical director John Foreman, who has worked on some of the biggest events in Australian entertainment, including Carols by Candlelight, School Spectacular and Australian Idol, and Max Lambert - the mastermind behind the Sydney 2000 Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies - were each named as Members of the Order of Australia (AM).

Baseballer David Hynes, Australia’s leading batter at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and now the President of Baseball Australia, has been awarded with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Vice President and Olympic fencer Evelyn Halls, dual hockey Olympian and current AOC Athlete’s Committee member Rachael Lynch and the late Rick Mitchell, three-time Olympic sprinter, have also been honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Australasian Leisure Management has already reported that Bronwyn Edinger, Chief Executive of The Events Centre Caloundra, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today’s Honours list.

Lower image: Christina Matthews. Credit: The Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA).