On Australia Day, the Governor-General announced Honours and Awards for 732 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

Closer to home, Inverloch resident Gaye Hamilton received the AM (Member of the Order of Australia) for services to tertiary education and the community.

Gaye's achievements included her current position as Secretary of the Inverloch Jazz Festival, as well as former roles that included the Director of the Western Bulldogs and Chair of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, Co-Chancellor of Victoria University, Director of Operations at Museums Victoria. Her teaching career stretched from the late 60s through until the early 90s.

This was not the first public recognition for Gaye, who was the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year in 2022, Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in 2003 and the Western Bulldogs Community award the same year.

The Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, congratulated all the 2025 Australia Day honours recipients.

"Thank you for your work of care and service to our nation.

"To read recipient stories is to be reminded that contribution to communities across the country, underpinned by care, kindness, respect and love, is what matter most to all Australians, in every sphere of life. Recipients embody the best of us, and we are grateful to all of them.

"This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of Australia's honours system. We have a wonderful opportunity over the next 50 years of our honours and awards to reflect our generous, successful and modern Australian society.

"To all Australians, nominating and honouring our fellow Australians is a meaningful way of saying, as a nation, thank you. 

"To all the remarkable 2025 Australia Day honours recipients today we celebrate you."

In addition to the 457 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (6 AC, 23 AO, 108 AM and 320 OAM), today's Honours list includes: 

• 25 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (1 AO, 11 AM and 13 OAM)
• 196 Meritorious awards 
• 3 Distinguished and 51 Conspicuous awards

Recipients will attend investiture ceremonies at the Government House in their respective state or territory in coming months to receive the insignia of their award.

The list also includes 24 Australians recognised for their contribution in support of Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals will also be included in an ongoing and permanent COVID-19 Honour roll.

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au.