Two women, former senator Natasha Stott Despoja and philanthropist Elisabeth Janet Calvert-Jones have been bestowed with the highest civilian honour on the King’s birthday honours roll this year.
Stott Despoja, the former leader of the Australian Democrats and commissioner of the South Australian royal commission into domestic, family and sexual violence, was recognised for her service to violence prevention, gender equity, human rights and global systemic change.
Calvert-Jones, a former director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, was recognised for her service to philanthropy, to the arts, to medical research organisations, to the community, and to children and youth.
Other high-profile women to be recognised on the King’s honours roll this year include the late Katie Allen, a former Liberal MP and doctor, who was recognised for service to medical research as a paediatric allergist and gastroenterologist, and to the people and Parliament of Australia. Radio presenter Fran Kelly, business executive Christine Holgate, First Nations advocate Pat Turner and CEO of Chief Executive Women Lisa Annese are among other notable women recognised this year.
The Governor-General Sam Mostyn announced The King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List on Monday, recognising 948 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for conspicuous service.
“Our honours system recognises outstanding people who contribute so much to Australia. In our communities, in workplaces and across the country, recipients have made an exceptional contribution to Australia,” Mostyn said.
“The work of our award recipients, and the contributions of the thousands of Australians who have been nominated and recognised throughout the history of our honours system, is something we can take great pride in celebrating.”
Mostyn noted the gender balance in this year’s honours list has improved by five per cent on last year, but is still a far way from adequately representing the community. She encouraged people from across the community to continue to nominate exceptional women for recognition going forward.
“Every Australia regardless of their gender, social, cultural or economic background should be able to look at the honours List and see themselves,” Mostyn said.
Below, Women’s Agenda has pulled out the names of women recognised across areas that often go underappreciated: services to women, health, education, nursing, childhood education. This list is not exhaustive but gives a snapshot of the incredible work done by women that’s been recognised this year.
Mrs Elisabeth Janet Calvert-Jones AO, AC For eminent service to philanthropy, to the arts, to medical research organisations, to the community, and to children and youth.
Ms Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja AO, AC, For eminent service to the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence, to gender equity, and to the promotion of human rights and global systemic change.
The late Professor Katrina Jane Allen, AO, For distinguished service to medical research as a paediatric allergist and gastroenterologist, and to the people and Parliament of Australia.
Ms Katarina Ruzh Carroll APM, AO APM, For distinguished service to law enforcement, to disaster management response and recovery, and to the community.
Ms Helen Maree Conway, AO, For distinguished service to business and legal governance, to youth social welfare, to gender equity, and to the not-for-profit sector.
Professor Elizabeth Jane Elliott AM, AO, For distinguished service to paediatric medicine, to women’s health, and to medical and social understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Ms Frances Margaret Kelly, AO, For distinguished service to broadcast journalism, to the advancement of social justice, to equality, and to advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Ms Patricia Ann Turner AM, AO, For distinguished service to the Indigenous community through policy development, to governance and leaderships roles, and to improving health outcomes.
Ms Lisa Annese, AM, For significant service to the community through social welfare organisations.
Ms Deborah Jane Blakey, AM, For significant service to the superannuation sector, and to corporate governance.
Dr Tanja Gizela Bohl, AM, For significant service to dermatology as a clinician, and to women’s health.
Scientia Professor Louise Annette Chappell, AM, For significant service to tertiary education, to human rights, and gender justice.
Ms Margaret Rose Cole, AM, For significant service to finance through regulatory reform in the industry.
The late Honourable Legh Hewitson Davis, AM, For significant service to the arts, to philanthropy, and to the community of South Australia.
Dr Kathy Dempsey, AM, For significant service to infection prevention and control, to patient safety, and to clinical governance.
Dr Ursula Bridget Dubosarsky, AM, For significant service to literature as an author of children and young adult books.
Ms Susan Jane Gaudion, AM, For significant service to netball as a coach and administrator, and to the media.
Dr Patricia Lorraine Hamilton, AM, For significant service to women in rural and remote Australia, and to the agricultural industry.
Ms Christine Wendy Holgate, AM, For significant service to business through a range of executive roles.
Dr Helen Mackie, AM, For significant service to rehabilitation medicine, and to research and treatment of lymphoedema.
Ms Debra Gladys Maher, AM, For significant service to the law, to women and children, and to the community.
Dr Joanna Christine Mendelssohn, AM, For significant service to art history as a researcher and author.
Ms Elizabeth Adele Woods, AM, For significant service to the law, to people with disability, and to basketball administration.
Mrs Silvia Fay Brown, OAM, For service to nursing.
Ms Mary Lou Byrne, OAM, For service to the community through refugee support.
Ms Wendy Lion, OAM, For service to early childhood education.
Dr Anne Pang, OAM, For service to the Chinese community of Melbourne, and to women.
Dr Helen Brenda Roxburgh, OAM, For service to general practice, particularly in the areas of women’s health.
Dr Pauline Elizabeth Rule, OAM, For service to history, and to secondary education.
Ms Jillian Sears, OAM, For service to people with disability, and to equality and diversity.
Mrs Maureen Edith Simpfendorfer, OAM, For service to nursing.
Mrs Susan Elizabeth Skinner, OAM, For service to youth with disability.
Mrs Margaret Blair Small, OAM, For service to nursing.
Mrs Mechelle Ann Turvey, OAM, For service to the Indigenous communities of Western Australia.
You can find the full list here.