Part time Phillip Island resident Dave Sweeney was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to nuclear-free campaigning, and to First Nations advocacy” in this year's King's Birthday Honours List.
Among his many roles, he has been the nuclear free campaigner for the Australian Conservation Foundation since 1996, is a former anti-nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth Australia, as well as being a co-founder and Victorian representative of the Aboriginal-led Australian Nuclear Free Alliance.
He was also a cofounder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
Dave - who spends a third of his time on Phillip Island, when not traversing Australia in his campaigning role - says the AM more than anything underscores the importance of engaging with democracy.
"We are really lucky in this country because we can criticise and not be shot or imprisoned for it. In a world that is often reduced to shouting matches, this is a recognition that different perspectives, non-violent debate and active engagement are valid.
"I have spent more than 30 years of my career saying no (to nuclear)."
The awards were announced on Sunday evening by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia.
The awards recognised 830 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.
“I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List,” the Governor-General said.
“These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity and care that flourish across our country.
In addition to the 581 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (14 AC, 31 AO, 123 AM and 413 OAM), the Honours list includes:
• 36 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (3 AO, 10 AM and 23 OAM)
• 149 Meritorious awards
• 64 Distinguished and 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.
Read more about Dave Sweeney's achievements in this week's Advertiser.