Victorians honoured on Australia Day

Dozens of distinguished Victorians have been honoured for their contributions to the community.

Transcript

00:00Never turning down the chance to put on a show.

00:10I'm honestly very proud as an Australian to be part of that situation, bringing Australian

00:16music to the world.

00:18David Briggs is best known as the lead guitarist in the Little River Band.

00:23The Victorian musician is among hundreds receiving Australia Day honours.

00:27During the course of yesterday, we had several concerning developments.

00:31A familiar face during the pandemic, Professor Alan Cheng is one of six awarded a Companion

00:37of the Order of Australia.

00:39It's been a while since we were dealing with the acute part of the pandemic, so I wasn't

00:46really expecting this.

00:48The state's former Deputy Chief Health Officer recognised for his services to epidemiology

00:53and medicine.

00:54One thing I hope to do is to pay this forward and to nominate other people who are equally

00:59deserving of recognition.

01:02Those making waves internationally are also being celebrated, like former UN Assistant

01:08Secretary General Gillian Triggs.

01:10You can go through some very bad times and the fact that somebody recognises that what

01:15you're doing may be helpful, may be useful, is important.

01:20Ms Triggs is receiving the Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to

01:25human rights law.

01:27People don't always know about the very high level of generosity that Australians show

01:31to funding the work of refugee groups.

01:36Ayshagul Kuzuz is accepting a Medal of the Order of Australia for her volunteer efforts

01:41with the state's Turkish community.

01:43They're very fragile older generation at the moment and they are, after the pandemic, they

01:50are very, very lonely.

01:53Also honoured, journalist Kelly Underwood, restauranteur Jacques Ramon and criminologist

01:59Dr Marietta Matinovic, along with dozens of other prominent Victorians.