Roland Peelman, Claire Spencer, Wesley Enoch, and Tim Minchin are among the arts figures recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours. Also honoured were conductor Emily Cox, musical theatre performer Caroline O’Connor, actors Rachel Griffiths, Hugo Weaving, Kate Mulvany, Jane Turner and Heather Mitchell, artistic director Rachael Maza, dancer/choreographer Paul Mercurio, and musical director Michael Tyack, among others.

There are four levels of awards and recognition: Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

This year, 837 people were recognised across the four categories in the General Division of the Order of Australia (compared to last year’s record of 1127), with 41.6 percent of the honours going to women (compared to the previous record of 37.5 percent in 2019).

Roland Peelman. Photograph © William Hall

Conductor, pianist and musical director Roland Peelman, who is currently the Artistic Director the Canberra International Music Festival (CIMF), was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to music. Born in Belgium, Peelman has been in Australia for more than 30...