Composer Andrew Ford and Heldenbaritone John Wegner are also named among the 565 Australian honourees.

Conductor and music educationalist Richard Gill, composer, writer and ABC Radio National presenter Andrew Ford, and Heldenbaritone John Wegner are among the arts recipients announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours yesterday.

Richard Gill, appointed to Officer (AO) in the General Division, is one of Australia’s most respected and proactive figures in music education. He has written books and articles, including a regular column for Limelight, programmed concert series, and given talks and lectures on the power of music in the education space. Advocating for better training for teachers and increased hours for music education in the curriculum, Gill is a passionate believer in the numerous scholastic advantages and improvements in childrens’ intellectual and psychological development offered by listening and performing music. As a conductor, he is in demand across the country. The former dean of the West Australian Conservatorium of Music, former Director of Chorus at Australian Opera (now Opera Australia), and the inaugural Music Director of Victorian Opera between 2005 and 2013, Gill is currently the Musical Director...