The arts heard several gongs sound on Australia Day with many of those honoured using the opportunity to reflect on the purpose of the day and the importance of storytelling in the national identity.
Sydney Festival Director Wesley Enoch was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his long career in theatre. A Noonuccal Nuugi man, Enoch was previously Artistic Director at Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts, Artistic Director at Ilbijerri Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-operative, and Artistic Director at Queensland Theatre Company before taking on his current role at Sydney Festival.
