Mrs Jacqueline Gasson OAM has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in The King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List for service to the arts as a ceramicist.

For more than 53 years, Jacqueline has dedicated her career to ceramics as both an educator and practitioner, developing expertise across all forms of clay, glaze and kiln-fired work. Along the way, she has become a respected mentor, advocate and community leader within Australia’s ceramics sector.

“Networking and communication are equally as important as hands on production. Community brings sharing, warmth, good health and sustainability of the arts and it stays with you as a lifelong journey,” Jacqueline shares.

Her belief in the value of community has shaped much of her contribution to the arts. Jacqueline is a Founder, Life Member and long-serving President of Suncoast Clayworkers, where she has helped create opportunities for artists through workshops, exhibitions and events. More recently, she was elected President of the Australian Ceramics Association, continuing her commitment to supporting and strengthening the ceramics community on a national scale.

Throughout her career, Jacqueline has drawn inspiration from many acclaimed Australian artists and educators, including Ted Secombe, Janet DeBoos, Greg Daly and David Walker. She credits these mentors with helping shape her practice and providing opportunities to share her knowledge through demonstrations, discussions and educational workshops across the country.

A passionate advocate for artistic development, Jacqueline enjoys helping others build both their technical skills and the confidence to share their work with broader audiences.

She explains, “having been in this industry for 53 years I am able to bring a wealth of information to the table, thus allowing people of any level of skill to discuss changes, problems and development with me,” she explains.

While grateful for the recognition, Jacqueline sees the award as a reflection of the many people who have contributed to her journey:

“This award is not just recognition for me, but for the whole ceramic community that I work with, so many lifelong friends and just as many new ones.”

Jacqueline hopes her recognition will encourage others to celebrate the contributions of people within their own communities through the Australian Honours and Awards system:

“There are a great many people in the Arts community that deserve this award and I would encourage anybody to nominate a worthy person.”

Through decades of leadership, education and artistic practice, Jacqueline has helped nurture a vibrant and connected ceramics community, leaving a lasting legacy for artists across Australia.