A number of high profile media industry figures made it into the 2021 Australia Day honours list.
Maureen Plavsic Kerridge, the first woman to become head of a television network, was posthumously made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
She was given the award for “significant service to the television industry, to the arts, and to charitable organisations”.
Sue Cato, probably Australia’s best known spin doctor, is also an AM for “significant service to the contemporary arts, to women, and to social justice”.
The award Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) was rejected by television journalist Kerry O’Brien in protest against the decision to give Margaret Court Australia's highest award, a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
He referred to what he called Court's "hurtful and divisive criticisms" relating to the LGBTQ+ community.
Media-connected recipients making it to the Australia Day honours list:
AM
Mrs Genevieve Mary Jacobs, for significant service to the broadcast media, and to the community
Mr Graham Alastair Ross, for significant service to the broadcast media, particularly to horticulture, and to the community
Mr Brady Haran, for service to the broadcast and online media
Mr Simon Edward Moore, for service to the broadcast media, and to the community
Mr Glenn Anthony Wheeler, for service to the broadcast media, and to the community
Ms Katie Lisa Woolf, for service to the broadcast media in the Northern Territory
Mr Michael Bruce Hawkins, for significant service to the film and television industry, and to screen content
The late Mrs Maureen Anne Kerridge, for significant service to the television industry, to the arts, and to charitable organisations
Ms Susan Gale Cato, for significant service to the contemporary arts, to women, and to social justice
Mr Neil Rogers, for service to community radio as a presenter
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