A heartfelt congratulations to the eight APRA AMCOS members and Australian music industry heavyweights who have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours.
Recipients are celebrated for their incredible service to the arts, music, education and their communities.
Three cheers go to Milly Petriella, Milk & Honey Australasia Managing Director, Noro director and of course, former Director Member Relations at APRA AMCOS, who was honoured for her service to music and the performing arts. We have seen firsthand over the years how dedicated Milly is to developing and supporting Australian musical talent.
APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston: “You'd be hard-pressed to find a greater advocate for Australian music creators than Milly. Passionate, committed, tireless and always with an eye to the opportunities - locally and globally - for Aussie songwriters and composers.”
The highest honour awarded in music this year was Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) awarded to conductor and composer Richard Mills. The Artistic Director of Victorian Opera, and Senior Fellow at University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Music was honoured for his ‘distinguished service to the performing arts as a composer, conductor and artistic director’.
Three APRA AMCOS members received Member of the Order of Australia (AM) honours - Max Lambert, John Foreman and Loreta Fin.
ARIA Award-winning composer and musical director Max Lambert is known through his work in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, The Boy From Oz (2000) and Play School.
APRA AMCOS Ambassador and musical director, pianist and composer John Foreman had his 2015 OAM promoted to an AM. Foreman has been the musical director for Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight, Australian Idol and Good Morning Australia, amongst others. Additionally, he penned the iconic track ‘The Flame’, performed by Tina Arena at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Queensland’s Loreta Fin was recognised for significant service to music, to education and to professional associations. Music teacher, conductor, and former president of the Australian Strings Association.
Four APRA AMCOS members received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). They include Dennis Burgess, Matthew Fargher, Cath Mundy and Jay Turner.
Dennis Burgess is the chairman of the Australian Songwriters Association and patron of the Association of Artist Managers. Tasmania’s Matthew Fargher is the Music Director and Board Member of the Marrugeku Indigenous dance company and has also composed or musically directed for Circus Oz and Belvoir St Theatre, amongst others. Queensland’s Cath Mundy and Jay Turner have also been honoured - both in their individual pursuits and as a duo.
Cath Mundy has been recognised for her 16 years of conducting community choirs, including leading the youth choir at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Jay Turner has been recognised for his nearly 50 years of service to the Australian music scene.
Additional recognition goes to Australian music industry heavyweights. INXS’ long term manager Chris Murphy was posthumously awarded the OAM. Murphy managed the group from 1979 until 1995, and again in the 00s. Radio presenter and producer at 3RRR Fiona Bamford-Bracher also received an OAM for her 30 years of service to community radio.
We also salute Becc Bates, who earned a Public Service Medal, 'for service to the people of South Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic response'. Becc has been a long-time leader in cultural and arts policy development in South Australia and has overseen world-leading work in supporting live music and the music industry in SA.
Congratulations again to all honourees.
Read the full Australia Day 2024 Honours List here.
APRA AMCOS members honoured:
Richard Mills
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
For distinguished service to the performing arts as a composer, conductor and artistic director
Max Lambert
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
For significant service to music, and to the performing arts
John Foreman
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
For significant service to the performing arts, particularly music, and to the community
Loreta Fin
AM - Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
For significant service to music, to education, and to professional associations
Jay Turner
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service to music as a performer
Catherine Mundy
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service to music as a performer, and to choral music
Matthew Fargher
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service to the performing arts, particularly through music
Dennis Burgess
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service to the performing arts, and to the music industry
Australian music industry heavy-weights honoured:
Milly Petriella
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service to the performing arts through administrative roles
Chris Murphy
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service to the performing arts through music
Fiona Bamford-Bracher
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service to community radio
Becc Bates
Public Service Medal (PSM)
For outstanding public service to the people of South Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic response