The Australia Day 2026 Honours List

Awards

The Governor-General, the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, announced the Australia Day 2026 Honours List recognising 949 Australians.

The list included awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. This represents an increase of over 200 more awards than on Australia Day last year.

The list includes people recommended to the Governor-General by the Council of the Order of Australia and organisations responsible for recommending meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous honours.

"Throughout 2025, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Australian honours system and the people who for the past half century have epitomised the best of Australia," the Governor-General said.

"The qualities and accomplishments of this year's honourees reflect Australia's values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity, and care.

"Congratulations to everyone recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List. As the list so vividly showcases, so many Australians continue to give the best of themselves across many endeavours, in the interest of others."

In addition to the 680 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (10 AC, 38 AO, 160 AM and 472 OAM), the Honours list includes:

• 22 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (10 AM and 12 OAM)
• 187 Meritorious awards
• 60 Distinguished and Conspicuous awards

Local recipients

No one from Phillip Island or San Remo was amongst the Honours List, however Wendy Crellin from Wonthaggi was awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the community.

Wendy was a foundation member of the State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts and President since 2005.

She has been a member of the Friends of the State Coal Mine for 20 years and Founder of the Seniors Classical Ballet Classes (since 2021).

Wendy's award also acknowledged her work with the Bass Coast Artists Society (President for 10 years, member for 15), as well as volunteering for the Wonthaggi High School Productions and Wonthaggi Theatrical Group.

She was the founding President of the Bass Coast Arts and Cultural Forum and is currently an Arts and Cultural Ambassador for the Bass Coast Shire.

Wendy also chaired the Creatively Connecting Communities Project from 2002-2005.

She was a board member of Rose Lodge Community Aged Care for 20 years and has a wing named in her honour.

She was also a councillor in the Borough of Wonthaggi for two terms.