Limelight congratulates this year’s artistic luminaries recognised for services to the arts.

Australian opera stars Cheryl Barker and Peter Coleman-Wright were among four artistic luminaries recognised in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, announced yesterday. Both singers received AOs, the second highest laurel bestowed in the annual honours. Barker was praised for her work as a mentor and role model, for her charitable and fundraising efforts, and for being a torch barer for equal opportunities for the future generations of women in opera. Coleman-Wright was also honoured for his fundraising, and for his work as a mentor and role model.

Also awarded AOs were Australia Council Chair Rupert Myer, for distinguished service to the visual and performing arts, as a cultural leader, a supporter and benefactor, and as a champion of the sector and a promoter of philanthropy. One of Australia’s most cherished actors and musical theatre stars Simon Burke was also honoured with an AO, both for his achievements as a performer and for senior advocacy roles for performance rights.

The wife of one of Australia’s richest men, Paula Fox, was also recognised with an AO for her significant philanthropic work. Married to Lindsay Fox, founder and chairman of trucking and logistics company Linfox, Mrs Fox has been a tireless fundraiser for a range of arts, cultural youth, research and social welfare organisations.

While no artists were recognised with Australia’s highest honour, the Companion to the Order of Australia, a number of notable artists, teachers and creative professionals were decorated with AMs. These included Aboriginal singer Archie Roach and the Australian ballet dancer, choreographer, and current Artistic Director of the Houston Ballet, Stanton Welch. 

Officer (AO) in the General Division

 Ms Cheryl Ruth Barker, Pyrmont, NSW 

For distinguished service to the performing arts as an operatic soprano, as a mentor and role model, and through fundraising support for educational opportunities for the next generation of opera singers.

Mr Simon Gareth Burke, Sydney, NSW 

For distinguished service to the performing arts as an actor, singer and producer, and through senior advocacy roles for performers’ rights and access to professional development and education programs.

Mr Peter Coleman-Wright, Pyrmont, NSW 

For distinguished service to the performing arts as an operatic baritone, as a mentor and role model for young singers, and through fundraising support for opera companies.

Mrs Paula Grace Fox, Melbourne, Vic

For distinguished service to the community through philanthropic contributions to, and committed fundraising support and advocacy for, a range of arts, cultural, youth, research and social welfare organisations.  

Mr Rupert Hordern Myer AM, East Melbourne, Vic 

For distinguished service to the visual and performing arts, through governance roles with leading cultural institutions, as a supporter and benefactor, to the promotion of philanthropy, and to the community.

Member (AM) in the General Division

Mr William Richard Armstrong, St Kilda, Vic

For significant service to the commercial music recording industry through pioneering roles, and to the broadcast media sector.

Ms Maureen Patricia Cahill, Glebe, NSW

For significant service to the visual arts, as a leading practitioner and promoter of contemporary glass 

Distinguished Professor Stuart Duncan Cunningham, Highgate Hill, Qld

For significant service to higher education, particularly to the study of media and communications, as an academic and researcher.  

Ms Catherine Winifred Fowler, Adelaide, SA 

For significant service to the performing arts, particularly to youth and children’s theatre, as a creative director and producer, and to education.

Ms Diane Elspeth Gardiner, Northcote, Vic 

For significant service to public administration, particularly in the heritage preservation and historical museum sectors, and to education.

Dr Dennis James Haskell, South Guildford, WA 

For significant service to literature, particularly poetry, as an academic, author, editor and critic, to tertiary education, and to inter-cultural understanding.  

Dr Michael McKenzie Henry, Melbourne, Vic 

For significant service to the not-for-profit and cultural sectors through a range of roles, to business governance standards, and to the community.

 Mr John Anthony Howie, Southbank, Vic 

For significant service to the community of Victoria, particularly through leadership of film, arts and sporting organisations, and to the law.

Mr Patrick John Lindsay, North Sydney, NSW 

For significant service to the media as a television presenter and journalist, to international relations, and to literature as an author.

Mr Robert Tasman Nation, Woollahra, NSW 

For significant service to architecture and environmental design as a practitioner, to higher education, and to professional organisations.  

Ms Valerie Christine Parv, Tamarama, NSW 

For significant service to the arts as a prolific author, and as a role model and mentor to young emerging writers.

Ms Lesley Ann Reece, Fremantle, WA 

For significant service to children through improving literacy skills and promoting Australian authors and illustrators.

Mr Archibald William Roach, Fitzroy, Vic 

For significant service to the performing arts as a singer, song-writer and guitarist, and to the community as a spokesman for social justice.

Mr Morris Zoltan Schwartz, Carlton, Vic 

For significant service to the print media industry as a publisher, and to the community through promoting Australian political and intellectual discourse.

Ms Anne-Marie Lucienne Schwirtlich, Deakin West, ACT 

For significant service to the library and archives sector through leadership roles at state and national level, and to professional information management organisations.

Ms Merle Estelle Thornton, Collingwood, Vic 

For significant service to the community as an advocate for women, and Indigenous rights, and to the arts as a writer and director.

Mr Stanton De Burgh Welch, Houston TX, United States of America

For significant service to the performing arts as a ballet dancer, mentor, choreographer and artistic director.

Ms Janet Mary Whiting, South Yarra, Vic

For significant service to the community through contributions to the arts, health and major events sectors, and as a legal professional.

Medal (OAM) in the General Division

Mr Grant Jackson Alley, Keysborough, Vic 

For service to the performing arts, particularly theatre.

Ms Joyce Mary Bennett, South Brisbane, Qld 

For service to music as a teacher, fundraiser and mentor.

Mrs Janice Ethel Conroy, Brendale, Qld 

For service to the performing arts through dance.

Mr John Robert (Jock) McIlwain, Mermaid Beach, Qld 

For service to the community of the Gold Coast through arts and educational organisations.

Mr Michael Arthur McMartin, Cambewarra, NSW 

For service to the performing arts, particularly to the music industry.

Mr James Bernard Mooney, O’Connor, ACT 

For service to the broadcast media as a radio presenter, and to the community.

Ms Helen Margaret Musa, Queanbeyan, NSW 

For service to the performing and visual arts as a critic and magazine editor.

Mrs Wendy Anne Oakes, Mooroopna, Vic 

For service to the community through music as a director, musician and teacher.

Mr Rodney Edward Quantock, Clifton Hill, Vic

For service to the performing arts, and to conservation and sustainability.

Ms Jane Laura Reilly, Norwood, SA 

For service to the broadcast media, and to charitable groups.

Ms Denise Marie Schumann, College Park, SA 

For service to the community through cultural heritage preservation.

Mr Kenneth George Shadie, Brooklyn, NSW 

For service to the film and television industries as a writer, and to veterans.

Ms Marie Irene Tysoe, Waverton, NSW

For service to the performing arts, particularly as an opera singer, and to the community.

Mr Alan Wale, Mittagong, NSW

For service to the visual arts, and to craft and woodworking associations.

Mr Denis Walter, Geelong, Vic

For service to the performing arts as a singer and entertainer, and to the broadcast media.