CSIRO Chief Dr Megan Clark has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), in recognition of her strategic leadership roles in fostering innovation through scientific research and development.
She is the only woman among the seven ACs appointed, including Professor Richard Gibbs, Professor Mark Feldmann, Ewan Charles, Dr Barry Owen Jones author Les Carylon and NSW Chief Justice Thomas Bathurst.
This year’s Queens Birthday list honours has done little to even up the playing field when it comes the gender gap between the number of men and women who receive such awards
In total, 783 Australians were named in the 2014 Queens Birthday Honours list. Men outnumbered women in the general list by about two to one, with 383 men named and 178 women, according to Sydney Morning Herald analysis. Meritorious and military awards made up the remaining 212 honours named.
Over the last 14 years, the more than 15,000 honours handed out across 31 different fields have seen men recognised at twice the rate of women, according to the Fairfax analysis. It’s a split that’s 68% male and 32% female. Women outnumber men when it comes to librarians, but not when it comes to more general services to the community.
However women do now outnumber men when it comes to modern knight and dame honours, with the NSW Governor Marie Bashir appointed a Dame of the Order of Australia today. She joins former Governor General Dame Quentin Bryce and current Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in receiving such titles.
Some of our highlights on this year’s list include:
Patricia Audrey ANDERSON Hackett, ACT. For distinguished service to the indigenous community as a social justice advocate, particularly through promoting improved health, educational and protection outcomes for children.
Maryanne DIAMOND Strathmore, Vic. For distinguished service to people who are blind or have low vision through national and international leadership roles, and as an advocate for best-practice employment opportunities.
Dr Gwendolyn GRAY JAMIESON Hughes, ACT. For distinguished service to the community, particularly through better women’s health outcomes, advocacy, and the development of public policy
Dr Barbara CAINE Greenwich, NSW. For significant service to tertiary education, particularly gender studies, and as a role model and mentor.
Judith DURHAM OAM South Yarra, Vic. For distinguished service to the performing arts as an entertainer, through seminal contributions to Australian music, and as a supporter of a range of not-for-profit organisations.
Maureen WHEELER Melbourne, Vic. For distinguished service to business and commerce as a publisher of travel guides, and as a benefactor to a range of Australian arts and aid organisations.
Virginia Mary HAUSSEGGER Griffith, ACT. For significant service to the community, particularly as an advocate for gender equity, and to the media.
Angela Penelope CRAMMOND Point Piper, NSW. For significant service to children through Barnardos Australia, and to the community.
Mary Amanda MUIRHEAD Hawthorn, Vic. For service to people with disabilities and their families
Elizabeth Therese FRITZ Currumbin Waters, Qld. For significant service to social welfare through accommodation and support services for the homeless.