On 8 June 2026, the Governor-General announced the King’s Birthday Honours List.
The list recognises 949 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards, and recognition for conspicuous service. Three Lane Cove Council LGA residents were honoured.
The list includes people who were nominated by the Australian community and then recommended to the Governor-General by the independent Council for the Order of Australia. It also includes people put forward by organisations responsible for recommending meritorious, and conspicuous honours.
“As Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, I am delighted to announce and congratulate the remarkable Australians receiving honours in The 2026 King’s Birthday list,” the Governor-General said.
“Our honours system recognises outstanding people who contribute so much to Australia. In our communities, in workplaces and across the country, recipients have made an exceptional contribution to Australia.”
“Just like those honoured across the past 50 years, their service and achievement in the community and public service, industry and academia, science, the arts and sport help shape our nation.”
“The work of our award recipients, and the contributions of the thousands of Australians who have been nominated and recognised throughout the history of our honours system, is something we can take great pride in celebrating.”
In addition to the 703 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (5 AC, 40 AO, 183 AM and 475 OAM), today’s Honours list includes:
- 34 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (3 AO, 11 AM and 20 OAM)
- 149 Meritorious awards
- 63 Conspicuous awards
The gender balance of this honours list has improved by 5 per cent but is still a long way from representing our community. The gender imbalance that persists in the Order of Australia will only change if more people from across the broad Australian community nominate exceptional women for recognition.
“Every Australia regardless of their gender, social, cultural or economic background should be able to look at the honours List and see themselves,” the Governor-General said.
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.
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
Considered the top award the Companion of the Order of Australia was awarded to five Australians. Professor William Rawlinson who lives in the Lane Cove LGA was one of those five.
Professor Rawlinson was awarded an AC for his eminent service to the medical sciences as a virologist, to clinical research and education, and to national and international public health.
Image Supplied
Professor Rawlinson told ITC:
“I am proud and also humbled to receive an AC today.
I have been privileged to work with outstanding, compassionate clinicians and scientists in studying virus illness for a long time. To me, the prevention and treatment of virus infections is so important, with so many preventable illnesses still with us.
The new and existing vaccines, the new antiviral treatments, and the new research we have available to us mean we are able to do something about reducing the harm of viral illness like never before.
My long-term work has been on how to reduce the effects of Cytomegalovirus infection on pregnant women and their unborn babies. I have been fortunate to research and work with families affected by congenital infection of their children, particularly with congenital Cytomegalovirus is a great privilege.
In Australia there are 1-2 children born every day with lifelong disability due to congenital Cytomegalovirus, and 1-2 newborns die every week from the same disease.
Families who have children with congenital Cytomegalovirus, all speak to the humanity of the people affected by this common infectious, and second most common of all, cause of severe disease in Australian neonates.
My hope is that with better information available to pregnant women and their partners, with research, new vaccines and treatments for Cytomegalovirus, the future will show we reduced the harm done to Australian children when we had the chance.
The compassionate ay families affected by Cytomegalovirus and other infections during pregnancy, care for each other, the love shown when they come to clinical, scientific and community meetings to educate people about reducing the risk of congenital Cytomegalovirus, is inspiring and humbling.
I have been lucky in my life with a loving, supportive family, with inspiring patients and with compassionate, committed colleagues.
Awards such as this are in my view for them, and for bringing attention to the work we do together.”
Learn more about Professor Rawlinson and his team’s work here.
June is Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month. The Cerebal Palsy Allinace posted the following on their Facebook page:
“June is CMV Awareness Month.
If contracted during pregnancy, it can be passed to a developing baby and may cause lifelong disability, including hearing loss, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy — especially if you have a toddler at home or work with young children — talk to your GP or obstetrician about CMV and how to reduce your risk.
Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x38sJ“
Medal (OAM) in the General Division
Mr John Devine
Mr John Devine was awarded an OAM for his services to the Lane Cove Community.
Mr Devine told ITC the following:
“I am humbled to receive the award given to me for my work with Sydney Community Services over 30 years.
In 2021, Mr Devine was awarded Lane Cove Citizen of the Year.
The Citizen of the Year criteria include a Lane Cove resident who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to Lane Cove’s community life.
Mr Devine joined the board of Sydney Community Services (or Lane Cove Community Aid, as it was then known) in February 2000. In 2021, Sydney Community Services had over 70 paid staff and more than 300 active volunteers (including Mr Devine, his wife and other board members).
Sydney Community Services provide valuable services to the elderly, disadvantaged, people with a disability and the vulnerable in Lane Cove and Hunters Hill.
Their services were particularly needed during COVID-19, and John Devine and his team had to work extremely hard to “pivot” and keep up with the extra demand for their services (which includes meals on wheels). Sydney Community Services also publishes The Village Observer. They also work with Delvena Women’s Refuge Lane Cove to provide much-needed food and grocery items. Find out more about the Sydney Community Services here.
Mr Roderick James Cooke
Photo Source: In the Cove Facebook
Mr Cooke was awarded an OAM for for service to the community through a range of organisations.
He has been a board member of Sydney Community Services since 2016 and is the current chair of their Strategy and Risk Committee.
Since 2003 he has been the Vice-President, Lane Cove Sub-Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia.
In May 2025 Member for Lane Cove Mr Anthony Roberts made the following statement in NSW Parliament:
“I acknowledge the work of Lane Cove RSL Sub-Branch who in conjunction with Lane Cove Council continue to pay tribute to our Veterans with a solemn and well attended service on ANZAC Day. I pay tribute to the RSL Sub-Branch Members and particularly Rod Cooke and Graeme Davis for the work they do in ensuring such a well-attended and successful service.”
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