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Queen's Birthday Honours

14 June 2010 at 9:55 am
Lina Caneva

Philanthropist named as one of five people awarded Companions of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

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Lina Caneva | 14 June 2010 at 9:55 am

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An Australian Philanthropist has been named as one of five people awarded Companions of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The AC is the highest honour on the list and has been awarded to philanthropist and media buyer Harold Mitchell.

More than 470 Australians have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List this year; many acknowledged for their services to community work and charitable organisations.

The citation for Mitchell says the award is for eminent service to the community through leadership and philanthropic endeavours in the fields of art, health and education and as a supporter of humanitarian aid in Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities.

Mitchell says in his autobiography that he set up a Foundation in 1999 to give his money away to people who needed it rather than giving it to the Australian Tax Office.

Mitchell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day 2004 Honours List for his service to the community, particularly as a benefactor and fundraiser in support of artistic and cultural endeavour, and to business through advertising and media interests.

Joining Harold Mitchell in the top hours list are:

Former Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, for eminent service to the Parliament and the community of Victoria through reform of the constitutional and electoral systems, the introduction of initiatives for education and training, leadership in the promotion of multiculturalism and through economic development.

Professor Valerie BERAL, for eminent service to medicine and women’s health through significant advances in cancer research and epidemiology, through seminal contributions to public health policy and as a mentor to young scientists.

Dr Allan Douglas HAWKE, for eminent service to public administration, particularly through the formulation and implementation of policy in the areas of transport, defence and education, and to the strengthening of bilateral relations with New Zealand.

Graeme Julian SAMUEL AO, the head of the ACCC, for eminent service to public administration through contributions in the area of economic reform and competition law, and to the community through leadership roles with sporting and cultural organisations.

Others from the sector who were honoured this year include: Bruce Phillip Bonyhady who was awarded with an Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division. Bonyhady is President of Philanthropy Australia, the national peak body for philanthropy. Based in Melbourne Bonyhady was awarded for his contributions to the community through a range of charitable organisations, as well as his service to people with disabilities, their families and carers. In particular, his role as Chairman of Yooralla was highlighted, as one of Victoria’s oldest and largest Not for Profit community service providers supporting children and adults with disabilities.

A fellow Melbournian, Robert Trenberth was honoured for his service through advisory roles in emerging manufacturing and research enterprises to a range of Not for Profit organisations. Michael William Traill was also awarded for his contributions to the Not for Profit sector through development and implementation of effective financial systems and mentoring and as a facilitator for social change.

The full list of Queen’s Birthday Honors recipients can be found at http://www.gg.gov.au/honours/content.php?id=38