Actress Cate Blanchett tops Queen’s Birthday honours list

Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and human rights lawyer Julian McMahon are among the Aussies given the highest honour in this year’s Queen’s Birthday list. 

Almost 900 Australian were named on the 2017 honours list announced by Governor General Peter Cosgrove in a statement this morning.

Blanchett, the only Australian to win two Oscars (for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine), was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her services to performing arts, as a role model for women and young performer, and as a supporter of humanitarian and environmental causes. The actress was the only woman to receive the highest honour on this year’s list,

Irishman Joyce was awarded an AC for his service to the aviation industry and tourism, and to gender including and diversity. The airline boss is well known for his support of marriage equality, so much so that a anti-gay marriage protester smashed a pie into his face at an event last month. 

McMahon, who defended members of the Bali Nine, was awarded the AC for his work in overseas capital punishment cases and his contribution to human rights and social justice.

Other AC recipients included BHP chairman Jacques Nasser, winemaker Peter Gago and economist Ross Garnaut.

Fashion designer Collette Dinnigan was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), while Melbourne philanthropist Ron Finkel was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), as was the late Midget Farrelly for his services to surfing and surf-lifesaving.

Most honours, however, go to quiet achievers in the Australian community in fields ranging from education to science, health and the arts.

You can read the full honours list here. 

W0uld you have picked these winners?