Those fighting COVID-19, bushfires, and climate change are honored on Australia Day.
From bushfires to climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australians have played a key part in protecting the country from some of the world's most serious challenges.
Others have dedicated their lives to assisting people who have come to our country seeking a better life.
Others are dedicated to improving the lives of senior persons, while some will not stop until Indigenous Australians gain equality and independence.
While some have worked from boardrooms to keep the economy afloat, many more are unsung heroes who would give their lives to serve people in need.
On Australia Day, 1,040 persons will be awarded the country's highest honors, including appointments to the Order of Australia.
Maggie Beer (AO)
Maggie Beer has offered so much more to our way of life than great food to Australians who have grown up watching her cook on television.
The culinary legend is well-known for her contributions to the tourist and hospitality industries, but she is also dedicated to improving the lives of seniors, whom she believes should not be overlooked.
Beer said it was a "logical development" for her to help improve the quality of life of aged care patients through cuisine after winning Senior Australian of the Year in 2010.
"Food is so vital to my well-being... It is not enough to have food; you must also have pleasure, which is a component of the joy of life," she explained.
Shane Fitzsimmons (AO)
When the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires appeared to be engulfing the entire country, Australians were reassured by then-NSW fire commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons' calm and steady leadership.
He rapidly became the authority people looked to for guidance during one of the nation's worst fire seasons, coordinating a statewide response of primary volunteers.
While Mr. Fitzsimmons was "humbled" by the Australia Day honor, he admitted it was "bittersweet" in light of the "amazing" events of the 2019-2020 season.
"Yes, I'm a proud Australian accepting this extraordinary award, but I was in awe of the remarkable work led by our volunteers during what was an unprecedented fire season," he added.
Dewani Bakkum (AM)
Dewani Bakkum, a Canberra woman, has been the CEO of Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services Australia for more than a decade, supporting displaced families from Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan to settle and prosper in Australia.
Ms. Bakkum, who arrived in Australia 40 years ago from Fiji, has dedicated her life to assisting migrants and refugees to completely integrate into their new communities.
However, the CEO and mother stated that she would not have been able to fulfill her goals without the help of her coworkers and the community.
"At the end of the day, I wouldn't be performing this kind of work without my family's help," she stated.
Mollie O'Callaghan (OAM)
Mollie O'Callaghan was the youngest member of Australia's Olympic swimming team in Tokyo. She is now the youngest recipient of the Australia Day 2022 honors.
As a heat swimmer, the 17-year-old won gold in the 4x100m medley and freestyle relays, as well as being a member of the bronze-winning 4x200m freestyle relay team.
"After the Olympics, it kind of hit me," she explained, "but I tried not to think about it too much so I could just focus on my swimming and what I could achieve next."
She revealed that she had no idea what the Australia Day accolades were at first, but that it was "amazing" to end a "fantastic" year.
Vicki O'Donnell (OAM)
Vicki O'Donnell was resolved to do something about the chronic disease among Indigenous people in the Kimberley after working in the health field for years.
For slightly over seven years, Ms. O'Donnell has served as the CEO of the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS). Before that, she was the director of the Derby Aboriginal Health Service for 12 years.
Her position includes advocating for and supporting members so that the sector has a stronger voice at the state and federal levels.
"I believe we must [advocate] because if we are fragmented, they will pick us off," she said. "However, if we are united — and the Kimberley and our member services are pretty united — when we speak, we speak with one voice," she added.
She's a wonderful person.
John Church (AO)
Climate scientist John Church has demonstrated that sea levels are rising at a faster rate after years of careful research.
Linking tidal gauge data with satellite data to create a time series of global sea levels dating back to the 19th century was one of his most significant accomplishments.
He was previously with the CSIRO and is now a professor at UNSW's Climate Change Research Centre, where he is significantly involved in driving international research through the World Climate Research Programme.
"Unless we take extremely major... and persistent mitigation steps, we will commit the globe to meters of sea-level rise over hundreds of years, affecting hundreds of millions of people who will have to relocate," he said.
Bakamumu Marika (AM)
Bakamumu Marika, an indigenous leader from North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, has dedicated his life to fighting for his community on the Gove Peninsula.
He works diligently as the chair of the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation to guarantee that royalties from bauxite mining operations are handed on to the land's indigenous guardians.
He stated that he sought to ensure the community's financial independence by investing in infrastructure, health care, and cultural activities that would benefit future generations.
"What we're doing right now is creating wealth and health, and that's the legacy I want to leave behind," he said. "I don't want my family to be reliant on Centrelink payments; I want them to be self-sufficient."
"We've put in a lot of effort and we're finally getting there."