The late Barry Humphries has been awarded top-class honours in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honour’s list.
Humphries, who died in late April, was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for “eminent service to the arts as a comedian, actor, author, satirist and entertainer, to the promotion of Australian culture, and as a patron of organisations”.
Among the other Australian’s recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours were former WA Premier Colin Barnett (AC), former Labor cabinet minister Jenny Macklin (AC), comedians Judith Lucy and Denise Scott (AM) and author Tim Winton (AO).
The Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp received AO honours.
Governor-General David Hurley said 1191 Australians received awards as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.
“Congratulations to the outstanding Australians recognised in today’s honours list. Recipients have made substantial contributions and had a significant impact at the local, national or international level. Some are volunteers, others have had a remarkable impact in professional roles – many have done both. They are all inspiring and their service is valued by us all,” the Governor-General said.
“Learning about the wide-ranging service of recipients, which spans almost every field of endeavour imaginable, is uplifting and makes me enormously optimistic for our country. Collectively they speak to who we are now and who we can be in the future.”
Humphries’ death at age 89 after complications from hip surgery triggered an outpouring of tributes in April.
The man known for his characters like Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone also courted controversy for his views on transgender people.
Mr Barnett’s AC recognition was given “for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia, particularly as Premier, to economic and infrastructure development, to social welfare reform, and to the Indigenous community”.
Macklin was honoured “for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to social welfare, particularly the introduction of paid parental leave and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and to the Indigenous community”.
Medical researchers Emeritus Professor Caroline Bower and Professor Glenda Halliday also received AC awards, as did skin disease epidemiologist Professor David Hunter.
Gender representation improving
The majority of recipients of honours in the general division were women, the first time that has happened since the Order of Australia was established since 1975.
There was gender parity or better at the top three of four levels of the Order in 2023.
“While we can take a moment to acknowledge the significance of achieving gender parity in our honours, it should not be a cause for pause. We reflect on our progress, and then recommit our efforts to ensure nominations reflect our diverse and strong community,” the Govenor-General said.
“Each recipient has something in common: Someone nominated them.
“The Order of Australia belongs to each of us because nominations come from the community. In honouring today’s recipients, I also encourage all Australians to consider nominating someone they admire who has had a significant impact in the community.”
