Every year on Australia Day, January 26, we present awards to individuals who have accomplished remarkable things in service to our country. For some time now, I’ve wondered how these awards are judged. Apparently, the process involves nomination and review.

I don’t want to sound negative about these awards, as I’m sure many recipients are truly deserving. However, I’ve long held the view that some of these beneficiaries—particularly figures from the worlds of sport, entertainment, and politics—may not be the most appropriate recipients of national achievement awards. Many of these individuals are already highly paid and have gained notoriety through their talents, often amassing significant wealth in the process. While it’s true that some have contributed generously to charitable causes, it still raises the question: are the right people truly being recognised?

Although there are certainly deserving individuals acknowledged for their service to many different causes across Australia, we rarely see recognition given to the people who quietly and consistently make a difference—our doctors, nurses, emergency room workers, and medical researchers who save lives daily. Where are the honours for our first responders—paramedics, firefighters, and police officers? What about those who have committed themselves for decades to helping people with disabilities or mental health challenges? Instead, it often seems the spotlight falls on sports stars and entertainers—individuals who already have their own award nights to celebrate industry achievements.

Perhaps the reason for this imbalance is that the vast majority of those working in emergency services and community care never seek accolades. They do their jobs with quiet pride, motivated by the satisfaction of helping others, not by the pursuit of awards.

Frankly, I find it a bit absurd when the media highlights the mental health struggles and stress faced by celebrities and athletes. Really? It must be so difficult earning millions to perform in front of a camera or play a sport you love. And yet, the media often labels these individuals as “heroes.” Try working in an emergency department at a large metropolitan or regional hospital & see what pressure really is. It isn’t a gig that you can stress out of & go home when you are under pressure. Every day, you have people’s lives & survival in your hands. You often don’t get a second chance if you stuff up & make a mistake. There’s no ten minutes in the sin bin or a stint on the sidelines to regather your thoughts & composure before you come back & do it again.

Meanwhile, our real heroes work every day without applause—our military personnel, paramedics, police officers, and hospital staff. They confront danger, trauma, pain, and death daily, yet they continue to show up, shift after shift. Paramedics & hospital staff regularly face violent assaults from some patients whom they are attempting to help. These dedicated and highly trained health care professionals don’t get paid massive wages and don’t ask for praise or awards. Yet, we still hand out hollow honours to those whose most notable achievement might be winning a race, starring in a film, or playing for Australia.

Give me a break.

………Edit June 2025- At the recent King’s Birthday Honours List, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to the people and parliament of Australia, particularly for leading the national pandemic response.

I nearly fell off my chair when I read this.

As anyone living in Australia knows, Morrison is arguably the last person who deserves recognition for his role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia’s success in navigating the crisis was due almost entirely to the actions of individual state governments—across all political lines—who held their nerve and made tough decisions despite weak federal leadership.

It was the state governments, along with their teams of expert healthcare professionals, who steered the country through the pandemic. While much of the world descended into chaos, these state-level responses kept Australians safe. In contrast, the Morrison government appeared determined to steer the country toward disaster through poor communication, delayed action, and inconsistent messaging.

That period in Australia’s history was incredibly difficult, and it could have been far worse had the states not stood firm against Morrison’s lackluster leadership. To award him for “eminent service” during this time is baffling—and, to many Australians, deeply frustrating.