Who received Australia Day honours in the arts?

Actor Deborra-lee Furness, singer songwriter Delta Goodrem, and Indigenous artist Lena Nyadbi are among the arts figures honoured with Australia Day awards.

732 Australians were recognised with honours awards this Australia Day, in a list being praised for its highest ever representation of women (47%), and its sizeable contingent of local community services contributors.

However the list has also been scrutinised for its recognition of high flyers like mining magnate Gina Rinehart, who received an AO for her work in the mining sector and in the community through philanthropic initiatives. Rinehart’s support of many of the country’s charitable causes are immense – health and sports are high on her list – though interestingly, from an arts perspective, cultural activities do not factor hugely in her philanthropic portfolio.

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ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).