Governor-General Sam Mostyn has unveiled the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, recognising 949 Australians – a jump of more than 200 awards on last year.

The expanded list honours Australians from all walks of life for service to the community, the nation and the Australian Defence Force, following a surge in nominations during the 50th anniversary of the honours system.

Prof Peter Cook was the ACT’s highest recipient, being awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for his eminent service to science.

Ms Mostyn said the recipients reflected the values Australians pride themselves on, including service, kindness and care.

“The qualities and accomplishments of this year’s honourees reflect Australia’s values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity, and care,” she said.

A total of 680 awards were made nationally in the General Division of the Order of Australia, including 10 Companions (AC), 38 Officers (AO), 160 Members (AM) and 472 Medals (OAM).

Here are the ACT recipients: 

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) 

Professor Peter John Cook CBE, Forrest, for his eminent service to science as an innovator, pioneer, and international expert in the development of carbon capture and storage, policy development, and climate change mitigation. 

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

Dr Bruce Moore, Isabella Plains, for distinguished service to linguistics, to the scholarship of Australian English, to lexicography, to the history of language, and to tertiary education. ​

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Ms Noor Blumer, for significant service to the law, to the legal profession, and to the community.

Mr Bruce Charles Gosper, Curtin, for significant service to public administration, particularly international policy and trade.

Air Vice-Marshal Margaret Mary Staib AM (Mil) CSC (Retd), Parkes, for significant service to business, to the aviation sector, and to the freight and logistics industry.

Ms Kylie Walker, for significant service to scientific communication and advocacy.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Mrs Caroline Lindsey Bartlett, for service to public administration.

Ms Beverley Anne Clarke, for service to the performing arts through administrative roles.

Mr Martin John Clarke, Kaleen, for service to basketball. 

Mrs Kerin Jayne Cox, Red Hill, for service to the community through a range of organisations. 

Mr Robert Barry Cranston, Calwell, for service to the arts.

Mr Derrick Hammon, for service to the community of Canberra. 

Mrs Catherine Anne Hindson, Deakin, for service to community health. 

Dr Matilda Ann House-Williams, Queanbeyan, for service to the indigenous communities of the Canberra region. 

Mrs Viola Kalokerinos, Curtin, for service to the community of Canberra. 

Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Hume Minchin, Forrest, for service to tertiary education. 

Mr Tony John Morris, Hall, for service to the community of Canberra. 

Mr Brett James Odgers, for service to history preservation, to planning, and to the community of Canberra. 

Dr William Joseph O’Malley, Garran, for service to baseball, and to public administration. 

Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder, Rivett, for services to children’s literature. 

Mr Thomas Roberts, MacGregor, for service to veterans and their families. 

Mrs Jennifer Reay Tyrrell, Hughes, for service to the community through a range of roles. 

Public Service Medal (PSM) 

Federal 

Ms Sarah Elizabeth Godden, ACT, for outstanding public service in the development and implementation of regulatory reforms

Mr Gareth William Meyer, Campbell, for outstanding public service in leadership and economic security to Australia and beyond.

Mr Paul David Ryan, Chisholm, for outstanding public service in advancing climate-smart land management in Australia.

Ms Elizabeth Harcourt Ward, Hughes, for outstanding public service to Australia’s trade and foreign policy interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr James White, O’Connor, for outstanding public service in climate change and energy policy.

Australian Capital Territory 

Clinical Associate Professor Philip John Crispin, Googong NSW, for outstanding public service in patient blood management and transfusion medicine.

Mr Derek Anthony Kettle, for outstanding public service in legal leadership and constitutional advice.

Ms Anne-Maree Sabellico, for outstanding public service in leading reforms in child protection and youth justice.

Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) 

Australian Capital Territory

Mr Paul Robert Owens, for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.

Emergency Services Medal (ESM) 

New South Wales 

Mr Joel Brendon Wiseman, ACT, for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.

Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) 

Australian Capital Territory 

Ms Natalie Marie Veenstra, for distinguished service as a member of an Australian correctional service.

Australian Intelligence Medal (AIM) 

Australian Capital Territory 

Mr Malak A, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Mr Carl Chang, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Ms Felicity Galvin, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Ms Angela Hardwick, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Ms Peita Loughhead, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Mr David M, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Mr Jeff P, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Mr Mark P, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.

Mr Christopher Yee, for distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community.