737 Australians recognised in King’s Birthday 2024 Honour List

737 Australians have been recognised for their services in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honour List - a significant decrease from the 1192 awards presented in 2023.

Of the 737 honours awarded, 493 recipients were within the General Division - which includes the leisure industry while the other 33% are military and public service recipients.

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
Australia’s highest honour, this year two of the six people - Sir Jonathan Mill and Samantha Mostyn - awarded the Companion of the Order (AC) were recognised for their contributions in the arts and sport.

Sir Jonathan Mills - celebrated for his ‘service to international cultural leadership and diplomacy, to the performing arts, to philanthropic ventures, and to tertiary education’.

He was Programme Director, Edinburgh International Culture Summit 2012-2022, an organisation which he founded and was Trustee of from 2014-2015.

Sir Jonathan has also served as Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, 2006-2014, and former Chief Executive Officer Aga Khan Music Initiative, where he steered the development of the Aga Khan Music Awards, and also Artistic Advisor, Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Aga Khan Music Initiative in Geneva from 2016-2019.

While Samantha Mostyn has been primarily recognised for her service in the social justice, gender equity and business sectors, she is also celebrated for her contribution to culture and sport as a patron.

Mostyn was Chair, Ausfilm (2019-2022), Chair, Carriageworks (2012-2019), a Board Member for the Australia Council for the Arts (2010-2016) and Sydney Theatre Company (2005-2014), and a Trustee of The Australian Museum (2002-2011).

She has also been Non-Executive Director at the Sydney Swans (2017-2021), Ambassador for the AFLW Cup in 2018, AFL Commissioner (2005-2016) and is a former Chair of The Climate Council.

As of 1st July, she will be sworn in as the next Governor-General of Australia, succeeding David Hurley.

Among other awards presented with relevance to the leisure industry, including a significant number of people involved in the surf life saving movement:

Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia 
The late Kevin Weldon of the Manly Surf Life Saving Club

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
North Melbourne AFL club President Sonja Hood
Peter Agnew of the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club 
John Collins - for significant service to the arts through music as Director and Co-Founder, The Triffid, a music venue and beer garden; Manager, Fortitude Music Hall; and Director, musician, and songwriter for ARIA Award winning group Powderfinger, and earlier with The Predators.

Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division 
Lindsay Davis of the Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club
William Gee of the Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club
Garth McMillan of the Tweed Heads Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club
Nanette Sharp of the Somerton Surf Life Saving Club
Former Socceroo and Cap Number 113, Kevin O'Neill for his outstanding contributions to Australian football and his significant impact on the sport both domestically and internationally.

To view a full list of those recognised for their services in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honour List click on the links below.

• Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)

• Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

• Members of the Order of Australia (AM)

• Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Image credit: Shutterstock.