Governor-General recognises financial supporters ahead of Australian performers and artists.

In stark contrast to the 2014 Australia Day Honours, which saw actors Geoffrey Rush and Jacki Weaver, composer Brenton Broadstock and conductor Patrick Thomas commended for their contributions to the arts, yesterdays Australia Day honours saw the Abbott government and Sir Peter Cosgrove favouring the financial contributions of private individuals rather than the creative work of Australian artists.

Receiving the highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), was Marcus Besen of Victoria, a long-standing member of the National Council of Australian Opera and a Trustee of the Australian National Gallery, who has been a benefactor of these and other Australian Arts institutes over many years.

Husband and wife philanthropists Peter and Joan Clemenger were also recognized as supporters of Orchestra Victoria, the Australian Ballet, Melbourne Theatre Company and the National Gallery of Victoria to name a few. Each was made an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for their continued support and interest in Victorian arts.
Topping the smattering of musicians and performing artists on the list was New York-based composer and conductor Sean O’Boyle, whose well-known concerto for didgeridoo and orchestra ranked number 32 in the ABC Classic FM Classic 100 Concertos. His musical credits include conducting more than 400 performances with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as well as composing for Queensland Ballet. He has written and produced more than one hundred albums in collaboration with the ABC. O’Boyle becomes a Member in the General Division of Australia (AM) for “significant service to music as a composer, conductor, musician, performer and musical director.”

The other significant musician recognised was ‎Ashley Arbuckle, Artistic Director of The String Co-op and Western Arts Orchestra, and Concertmaster and Artistic Director of the West Australian Philharmonic. As concertmaster, musical director, co-leader and soloist in some of WA’s most prominent ensembles he has also performed internationally including a co-leadership of the London Symphony Orchestra. Arbuckle was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia Division (OAM).

The dance world received a nod with Leanne Benjamin, former principal dancer of London’s Royal Ballet being awarded an AM for her “services to the arts as a ballet dancer and role model”.
Representing actors, Judith Nunn received an AM, a reflection of her career in television between 1974 and 2000, coming to prominence after her controversial role as a scheming bi-sexual reporter in ‘The Box’, becoming a household name as Ailsa Stewart on ‘Home and Away’. As well as television, Nunn is known for her work as a theatre actor, appearing with Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre Company, Perth Theatre Company and The Old Tote Theatre, Sydney. To her credit, Nunn has also published 14 books for both adults and children.