Women honoured for their contributions at home and abroad
One hundred and fifty seven Australian women have been honoured for their contribution in Australia and abroad by being awarded 2005 Queen’s Birthday Honours in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
The Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues, Senator Kay Patterson, today congratulated the women in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
“For the first time four Australian women have received the highest award, that of Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) and I give my heartiest congratulations to Stella Bywaters, the Hon Dame Margaret Guilfoyle DBE, the Hon Justice Marilyn Warren and the Hon Dame Margaret Scott DBE,” Senator Patterson said.
“I thank all Australians for recognising the significant contribution they make to our community.
“The awards celebrate the significant achievements of these exceptional women who continue to contribute to the Australian community within their respective fields.
“Miss Bywaters was nominated for her services to the international community in Uganda through the provision of humanitarian aid and nursing care to improve the lives of the sick, poor and disadvantaged and to the Salvation Army.
“Dame Margaret Guilfoyle was awarded for her contributions to public life in Australia in support of hospital and health administration, social justice and education, to young people as a role model, and to the Australian Parliament.
“Justice Warren was nominated for her services to the judiciary and to the legal profession, particularly the delivery and administration of law in Victoria.
“Justice Warren is also recognised for her services in areas affecting the social and economic conditions of women as well as forensic medicine internationally.
“Dame Margaret Scott was recognised for her services to the arts in the field of dance as Founding Director of the Australian Ballet School.
“Dame Margaret Scott also supports and encourages young artists to achieve the highest standards in their careers.
“In addition to the Companion category in the General Division of the Order of Australia, women’s contributions were recognised in the other levels. Twelve women were appointed Officers (AO), 27 were made Members (AM) and 114 received an Order of Australia Medal.
“The Queen’s Birthday Honours List also acknowledged two women who received Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Military Division. In addition, one woman received a Distinguished Service Decoration and four women received Conspicuous Service Decorations (CSD).
“A further 15 women received Meritorious awards, such as the Public Service Medal (PSM), Australian Police Medal (APM) and Emergency Services Medal (ESM).
“People can be nominated all year round and I would encourage everyone who thinks there is a woman who should have been in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List to go to It’s an Honour website (www.itsanhonour.gov.au) and make sure she is nominated,” Senator Patterson said.