The 2008 Australia Day Honours are appointments to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by Australian citizens. The list was announced on 26 January 2008 by the Governor General of Australia, Michael Jeffrey
The Australia Day Honours are the first of the two major annual honours lists, the first announced to coincide with Australia Day (26 January), with the other being the Queen's Birthday Honours, which are announced on the second Monday in June.
Order of Australia Companion (AC) General Division Recipient Citation Notes Denise Irene Bradley For service to higher education through leadership and sector-wide governance, to the promotion of information-based distance learning, and to the advancement of Australian educational facilities internationally. John Leslie Carrick For distinguished service in the area of educational reform in Australia, particularly through the advancement of early childhood education and to the development and support of new initiatives in the tertiary sector, and to the broader community. Susan Maree CrennanFor outstanding service to the law and the judiciary, particularly through leadership and mentoring roles with legal and professional associations, as a contributor to reform, and to the community.William Duncan "Bill" Ferris For service to the community through a range of philanthropic endeavours, as a leader in support of medical research, and to business and commerce through ongoing roles supporting Australian exports, venture capital and private equity.Lindsay Edward Fox For continued service to the transport and logistics industries, to business through the development and promotion of youth traineeships, and to the community through a range of philanthropic endeavours.For distinguished contributions to Australia's defence industry through the provision of leadership and strategic advice on the development of naval capabilities, to maritime transport management, and to the people of South Australia.
Military Division Branch Recipient Citation Notes Angus Houston , For eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as Chief of the Defence Force.
Officer (AO) General Division Recipient Citation Notes John "Neil" AndrewFor service to the Parliament of Australia through the advancement of parliamentary administration and reform, and to the community in the areas of agricultural research, development and education. Arthur Brabham For service to motor sport as an ambassador, mentor and promoter of safety, and to the community through support of charitable organisations. Dean Craig BrownFor service to the Parliament of South Australia, to the promotion of economic development and reform, and through enhancing business and investment opportunities.Richard "Leigh" CliffordFor service to business through executive roles in the mining industry, to the promotion of international trade and the development of export markets, and to the arts. James Winter CruthersFor service to the community of Western Australia through support and involvement with a wide range of community and charitable organisations, particularly in the fields of health and medical research, to the media, and the arts.Lisa Gay Curry-Kenny For service to the community through encouraging national pride and identity, particularly through leadership of the National Australia Day Council.Joseph Benjamin EluFor service to the Indigenous community through contribution in the field of economic development, the promotion of financial independence and facilitating community partnerships with skilled volunteers. Nancy Fairfax For service to the community, particularly through philanthropic support of a range of organisations in the ethics, health, aged care, volunteering, church and arts sectors. John Kerr "Jock" Findlay For service to medicine in the field of reproductive endocrinology as a researcher through contributions to the regulation and promotion of assisted reproductive technology and treatment, and to the development of national and international health programs. Alan David GilbertFor service to tertiary education, particularly in the area of administrative and funding reform at Melbourne University, to the promotion of electronic learning in developing countries, and to Australia's contribution to global developments in higher education and research. William John GlassonFor service to medicine through contributions to people in rural and remote areas, to the eye health of Indigenous people, and to professional medical organisations. Stephen Newman Gower For service to the museum sector, particularly through innovative leadership and management strategies as Director of the Australian War Memorial, and to tourism through involvement with and support for regional industry organisations.Peter Bruce HarmsworthFor service to public administration through leadership of a range of policy areas, in advancing the study and practice of public administration and as a champion of continuous improvement strategies. Ross James HomelFor service to education, particularly in the field of criminology, through research into the causes of crime, early intervention and prevention methods.For service to education and the community as an academic, an advocate for social sustainability and a facilitator of debate about public policy, particularly in the housing, employment and welfare sectors, to the development of public administration, to theology, and to the arts. Leo KeliherFor service to public administration in Queensland and New South Wales, particularly as a leader in the implementation of public sector reform initiatives. John Francis LakerFor service to the regulation of the Australian financial system and to the development and implementation of economic policies nationally and internationally Michael Lawrence-BrownFor service to medicine, particularly in the field of endovascular surgery, as a clinician, researcher and teacher, and through contributions to professional organisations. Rex John Lipman , For service to the tourism and hospitality industry, particularly as a founder of the International College of Hotel Management, and to education through support of learning opportunities for young people.Catherine Brighid LivingstoneFor service to the development of Australian science, technology and innovation policies, to the business sector through leadership and management roles and as a contributor to professional organisations. Michael Joseph MillerFor service to science, particularly through leadership roles in the innovation and development of future generation telecommunications technology.Susan Kathleen "Sue" MillikenFor service to the film and television industry through a range of organisations, as an advocate for the development of the industry, for support and encouragement of Indigenous film makers, and as a producer. Spiro Moraitis For service to the Greek community through a range of executive roles with migrant assistance and aged welfare organisations, and to medicine as a general practitioner. James Gardner Murray For service to the development and implementation of policies related to animal and plant health, pest and disease control, quarantine, food safety, agricultural trade and emergency management, and to veterinary science. Patricia Mary RhatiganFor service to rural and remote education, particularly through activities supporting Indigenous development and learning in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and through Catholic, governmental, educational and representational roles at state and national levels.Ross Kenneth RolfeFor service to the community through the development and implementation of major infrastructure policies and in the coordination of whole-of-government program initiatives in Queensland. William Douglas Rolfe For service to veterans, particularly through leadership roles with the Veterans' Review Board, to the development and implementation of program initiatives, and to professional education.Joseph Alexander Skrzynski For service to the cultural environment, particularly through visionary leadership and management strategies as Chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust, through mentoring Australian film makers, to business through the venture capital and private equity industry, and to support for Indigenous scholarships.Mark Anthony SullivanFor service to the community, particularly Australia's veterans, through contributions to new governance arrangements, and to major public policy developments in the areas of family support, multicultural affairs and Indigenous service delivery. Gerard Roger SuttonFor service to tertiary education through administrative and representational roles, particularly as a leader in the growth and development of the University of Wollongong, through the promotion of international engagement in Australian higher education, and to the community of the Illawarra.
Military Division Branch Recipient Citation NotesNavy Rowan Carlisle Moffitt For distinguished service as Maritime Commander Australia and Deputy Chief of Joint Operations.ArmyFor distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments. Mark Andrew Kelly For distinguished service to the Australian Army in the fields of training, personnel and operations, in particular as the Commander of the 1st Division and as the Land Commander Australia.
Member (AM) General Division