The response to COVID-19 and the Australian Honours System

The 2021 Australia Day Honours List included the first awards to people who have helped the community respond to the health, economic and social challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor-General with a COVID-19 frontline worker

The different types of service recognised – from the design of JobKeeper, to securing COVID-19 tests and Personal Protective Gear, to keeping public transport safe during the pandemic – shows both the broad impact of COVID and the different ways people have helped their community.

Highlighting the Meritorious Awards (which recognise outstanding and distinguished service by public servants and members of our police, fire and emergency services), the Governor-General said the Honours system exists to recognise outstanding service.

“The awards in our Honours system are the highest form of recognition of the efforts and achievements of Australians. The system recognises and celebrates those who go above and beyond, who, through their determination, commitment and selflessness have a profound impact on our community,” the Governor-General said.

“The ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has challenged us in ways that we could not have imagined, has been made possible by many, many people like this. In the midst of the challenges we have witnessed countless examples of Australians who have served tirelessly and done extraordinary things.

“I encourage all Australians to look around those in their community, think of who has gone above and beyond and consider nominating them for recognition.”

Examples of those recognised in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List include:

  • Ms Caroline Edwards PSM, facilitated research opportunities for potential treatments and vaccines, was instrumental in the purchase and deployment of personal protective equipment and ensuring COVID-19 testing was available, and led the expansion of telehealth services. Her hard work, skill and commitment has directly helped Australia and her fellow Australians.
  • Ms Jennifer Wilkinson PSM, the key architect of the JobKeeper program, which was designed to provide crucial financial support to over 3.5 million Australians to maintain their employment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms Wilkinson’s work has made a significant and tangible difference to Australians in every part of the country.
  • Dr Hugh Heggie PSM, the Chief Health Officer in the Northern Territory, provided leadership and superior advice throughout the pandemic. He has directly contributed to the Territory’s successful response to COVID-19 (where there has no community transmission to Jan 2021) and helped his community immeasurably.

To find out more about recipients of Meritorious Awards, click here and search ‘COVID’. To find out how you can nominate someone for recognition through the Order of Australia, click here.