Mixed response as O’Brien declines his award

COMMUNITY heroes from the bushfire and COVID-19 emergencies have joined politicians, performers, scientists and sports stars in the ranks of the Australia Day honours list for 2021.

This year’s awards sparked controversy last Friday when it was revealed Margaret Court was one of four people who have been made Companions of the Order of Australia. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Jewish community leader Dr John Levi and mathmetician Emeritus Professor Cheryl Praeger were the other three.

It comes as ABC veteran journalist Kerry O’Brien advised the Secretary of the Order of Australia that he has declined his appointment as an Officer in the Order of Australia.

O’Brien was recognised for his “distinguished service to the broadcast media, and to journalism, as a current affairs television presenter, interviewer and reporter”.

Among the community figures to be honoured this year is 88-year-old May Blacka, who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to Cobargo, one of the towns most devastated by the bushfires.

A Cobargo resident since 1953, Mrs Blacka has fundraised for the Rural Fire Service by selling pies, flowers and pot plants since the inferno which swept through the small town on New Year’s Eve, 2019.

Former Socceroos captain, and refugee advocate Craig Foster was among the honours recipients who have called for the date of the national day to be moved.