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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Maths genius, devoted mum, headline-making CEO on King's Birthday Honours roll

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • 949 Australians were honored in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours list, including a mathematician, a philanthropist, and a CEO.
  • Natasha Stott Despoja received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her work in preventing domestic, family, and sexual violence.
  • Professor Terence Tao was recognized for his contributions to mathematical sciences, including a method that significantly speeds up MRI scans.

Australia's 2026 King's Birthday Honours list recognizes 949 individuals, celebrating achievements across various fields. Among the distinguished recipients are a brilliant mathematician, a devoted mother who overcame profound loss, and a prominent CEO, highlighting a diverse range of contributions to society.

I had a little cry when I was told about my honour.

— Natasha Stott DespojaStott Despoja's reaction to being bestowed with the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Natasha Stott Despoja AC, a gender equality advocate and former senator, received the highest honor, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), for her extensive work in preventing domestic, family, and sexual violence. Stott Despoja, who chaired South Australia's Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, expressed being "quite overwhelmed" by the recognition but emphasized her focus on the policies and people she has collaborated with. She currently serves on a United Nations committee dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women.

I'm quite overwhelmed. I'm well aware of the enormity and generosity of this honour.

— Natasha Stott DespojaStott Despoja's reaction to being bestowed with the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Professor Terence Tao AC, an Adelaide-born mathematician at the University of California, Los Angeles, was honored for his decades of excellence in mathematical sciences and academia. Tao, a recognized prodigy, has made significant contributions, including developing a method that drastically reduces MRI scan times from minutes to 30 seconds, a breakthrough particularly beneficial for scanning restless children. He noted the "stunning" nature of receiving this recognition from his home country.

But I prefer to focus on the policies that I've been working on and the people with whom I've worked.

— Natasha Stott DespojaStott Despoja's reaction to being bestowed with the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Other notable recipients of the Companion of the Order of Australia include Victorian philanthropist Elisabeth Calvert-Jones AC, former Tasmanian premier William Hodgman AC, and NSW virologist Professor William Rawlinson AC. Additionally, veteran broadcaster Fran Kelly AO was recognized as an Officer of the Order for her contributions to journalism and social justice.

There is no more important time for us globally to be conscious of some of the most egregious violations of women and girls.

— Natasha Stott DespojaStott Despoja on the importance of addressing violations against women and girls globally.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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