‘It's an honour': Inside The Pitt with Australian actor Shabana Azeez
It's no secret The Pitt is one of the most exciting new shows of 2025. The bracing real-time medical drama, which followed hospital staff over the course of one relentless day in a Pittsburgh emergency room, won praise from critics, viewers and healthcare workers for its empathy and realism. But you might not have realised one of those endearing on-screen doctors is actually Australian.
Deputy TV editor Meg Watson spoke to Shabana Azeez, who plays the show's youngest intern Dr Victoria Javadi, about landing her role in the hit show, working with Noah Wyle and other key creatives from ER, and what we can expect from season two.
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MW: What have the past few months been like for you? This is by far the biggest project you've been a part of – the show averaged 10 million global viewers an episode, with Max reporting every episode since the premiere in January had more viewers than the last.
SA: It's been wild! I really miss week-to-week TV like this. Bingeing is really fun, but I love shows that encourage watercooler conversations that the audience slowly trickle into. Especially ones like this with good character arcs. Even though the show was only 15 hours, over the course of one day, it stretched out to months for all of us.
Absolutely. The show had good reviews from the start, but then it built such a connection with people as time went on. Was there a moment you realised, 'Oh this is actually a hit'?
I knew it was good from the get-go, even though it was not an easy script. It was intense, dense with medical jargon. But I knew it was special. Seeing the table reads made me realise it was going to be incredible. And just knowing the team as well.
For an Australian actor, for this to be your first American gig is the jackpot. I knew I was in safe hands and that I'd have the best experience of my life. A lot of Australians just don't watch Australian TV, and so you work for a long time without much recognition. Now, suddenly, everyone is watching.
It's a long way from guest spots on Utopia, ABC's Fresh Blood Pilots and local indie films. How did you find yourself on the show?
This was my second US audition – and I was so scared! I hadn't built any relationships in America yet. They saw one audition tape, and just believed in it. It's kind of crazy.
I didn't get into drama school when I was younger, and my parents did not want me to be an actor. They thought that was a crazy career path – which is fair. They're not wrong. But I am so lucky. I worked at a filmmakers' hub and ended up making a bunch of friends who gave me a shot. That happened, like, 14 times in a row and that's sort of how I got here.
I just want to act. I want to act so much. And I knew early on I'd have to move. I'm from Adelaide, where there's not heaps of stuff being made. This opportunity to work in America is a ticket to career sustainability, wherever I end up. My dream is that I get to make a little indie feature in every country once a year until I die!
You're back in Adelaide, but filming for season two starts next month and the show will come back in January 2026. What does your life look like right now?
I'm really excited to get into season two, but I haven't read any scripts yet. Everything is under lock and key, and I'll be the last to know.
But it's been really great being back in Australia (and it's so strange to get recognised in Adelaide). I've been doing a lot of research, going to med schools and talking to students. Obviously, it's a very different environment to America, but I've learnt so much. Research is such an important part of being an actor – and something that's quite invisible from the outside.
In this show, I think all the behind-the-scenes efforts have been made really clear. There's been so much talk about the medical supervision and the 'doctor boot camp' all the actors went through. The Pitt has rightfully been praised as the most realistic medical drama – and it seems to mean a lot to real healthcare workers. Does that response bring an added pressure now?
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It's the most important thing for me. Healthcare workers are incredible, and it's a very, very difficult industry. The closer I get to it, the more completely in awe I am. I never watched a lot of medical dramas growing up, but being part of 'the accurate one' is a privilege. People have opened up to me in so many ways about the emotional impact of being in an emergency room: having to tell parents that their child is dead and then in the next second doing a knee replacement. You can't bring any emotional baggage with you, so it all gets compartmentalised.
There's some pressure, but really it's an honour.
Are there big differences in what Australian healthcare workers say to you versus people in the US?
The themes are universal, but there are nuances that are so cultural. I did a lot of research on gun violence before season one. Obviously, I'm very unfamiliar with that and the toll it would take. My character is 20 years old; she would have been doing school shooter drills in primary school. That kind of thing impacts your reactions to a mass shooting in ways that maybe an Australian wouldn't have.
It was actually really strange watching a bunch of American actors and crew do the mass shooting stuff. They had stories from their lives to draw on, things they'd all experienced. But I'm quite shocked by gun violence – it's not familiar to me. The cultural difference for myself and Gerran Howell, who's Welsh, were notable.
There's such a great mix of talent on this cast – from up and comers to veterans like Noah Wyle, who is also an executive producer. Wyle was a TV doctor three decades ago, as John Carter on ER, and The Pitt shares so much creative DNA with that show. You said you weren't big on medical dramas, but had you seen ER before auditioning?
I have now! And The West Wing and Shameless [all from John Wells Productions, founded by the former ER showrunner and Pitt EP]. This team is incredible. They're all wonderful to work with and are serious about being kind on set. There's a 'no assholes' policy. Everyone does background work, including Noah Wyle. We don't use stand-ins during scenes.
There was so much empathy and care given to us, particularly from Noah and John. I uprooted my life to the other side of the world, and there was so much warmth and genuine care.
Did Noah have any specific advice around that? He was, after all, just 23 when ER premiered.
He was really supportive of everybody, in really clever ways. If you mentioned you liked something or had a shared interest, he would buy you books on it. For me, I really want to make films so he bought me Shot By Shot and In The Blink of an Eye. The books were waiting for me in my dressing room.
He also encouraged me to come and shadow him on my days off. I'd just moved to this country, I didn't have any friends, and I was only working two days a fortnight. Everybody really encouraged me to come in and take up space, shadow directors, go to production meetings and see how TV gets made. Noah was really part of setting that tone.
You mentioned you haven't seen any scripts for the next season yet. But we do know Dr Javadi is back. Creator R. Scott Gemmill has said she'll be doing a sub-internship and t he show will pick up around nine months after the events of season one. Do you have any hopes for her in season two?
My thing about her is, I think she's really brave. And I don't know that people really give her any credit for that.
She's a very book-smart person. But like anyone with massive skills in one area, she has massive deficits in others. Socially, she's not killing it. She has a fear of blood. And she grew up isolated, so she's very lonely. I'd love to see her make friends, and develop more empathy for patients in different situations. Also, I just kind of want her to get a date!
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The Advertiser
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Aussie filmmaking royalty in the King's spotlight
It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection. It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection. It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection. It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection.
West Australian
2 hours ago
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Aussie filmmaking royalty in the King's spotlight
It's a long way from the small town of Herons Creek to Hollywood - and to the King's Birthday Honours List. That's been the trail taken by Australia's most commercially successful film director Baz Luhrmann, who grew up in the NSW outback town and on Monday will be appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. He's been honoured for eminent service to the arts as a filmmaker, to the theatre, to cultural heritage, and to the development of artistic talent. "My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians," Luhrmann said in a statement to AAP. The 62-year-old came to prominence with 1992's Strictly Ballroom, which was his first screen collaboration with his now wife, award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, who was responsible for the film's dazzling outfits. Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, has also been appointed an AC. "I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by," she said. "Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful." Martin has won four Academy Awards, two each for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, from a total of nine nominations. She has been recognised for eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. After Strictly Ballroom put Luhrmann and Martin on the global stage, they followed up with the sumptuous 1996 feature Romeo + Juliet, and 2001's Moulin Rouge!. Then came 2008's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, and 2013's The Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. After a foray into television, Luhrmann returned to the big screen in 2022 with the biopic Elvis starring Austin Butler. Martin and her team made 90 costumes for the Elvis character, and more than 9000 outfits for extras in the film's many concert scenes. Luhrmann has most recently been in Los Angeles for Sony's Music Vision Content Showcase, which featured his release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, based on previously unseen recordings. The project is not quite a documentary or a concert film, Luhrmann told the showcase audience. "We call it EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and he will sing and tell his story like never before. He will tell it. Because what was remarkable is that we found audio of Elvis talking about his life." Researchers unearthed a massive 68 boxes of film negative in the Warners Bros. film vaults, as well as unseen 8mm footage of Elvis, which has since been restored. As for projects in the pipeline, Luhrmann is reportedly working on another biopic, this time about Joan of Arc and based on a novel by fellow Australian Thomas Keneally. Meanwhile Martin has recently directed a short film titled Grande Envie, for luxury fashion label Miu Miu's Upcycled collection.
The Advertiser
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'Doing extraordinary things': 2025 King's Birthday Honours list revealed
Hundreds of Australians have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours for their extraordinary work within their communities, from leading the nation through a pandemic to those who quietly pull up their sleeves to help. Governor-General Sam Mostyn announced honours and awards for 830 Australians on Sunday, June 8, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. "I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List," the Governor-General said. "These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country." "To all who are being recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia." 14 people were appointed companions of the Order of Australia, the highest honour, including: Former prime minister Scott Morrison for leading Australia during COVID-19 and his work on the AUKUS agreement; READ MORE: Scott Morrison lauded with highest King's Birthday honour Director, producer and writer Baz Luhrmann alongside his long-time collaborator and wife, production designer and producer Catherine Martin; Former CSIRO and Reserve Bank chair Kathryn Fagg, former Business Council of Australia chief executive Professor Jennifer Anne Westacott and businesswoman and former University of Canberra chancellor Wendy McCarthy; High Court Justice, The Honourable Justice Simon Harry Steward and Former Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Court of Victoria judge, The Honourable Mark Samuel Weinberg; Former ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams, who retired in 2024 after hosting his radio show Late Night Live for 33 years; and Nobel laureate in Literature Dr John Maxwell Coetzee, Professor Ian Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor Stuart Mark Howden, Distinguished Professor Graeme Leslie Stephens and Emeritus Professor Roger Byard. Among others recognised at other levels were former Socceroo Jimmy Rooney (OAM), former swimmer and AFLW CEO Nicole Livingstone (AO), WIN Corporation owner Mr Bruce Gordon (AO), former AFL footballer and businessman James Demetriou (AM) and former ABC journalist the late Matt Peacock (AM). Also recognised were television presenter and magazine editor Deborah Hutton (OAM), former Australian rugby union player Shirley Russell (AM), former Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements (OAM), weightlifter Tia-Clair Toomey (AM), jeweller and goldsmith Robert Baines (OAM), fantasy writer Garth Nix (OAM), and choreographer and performer Dr Elizabeth Dalman (AM). The Governor-General said the honours "rely on others taking the time to nominate". "Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the consideration of the work that goes on all around us and should deserve recognition." Of the 581 awards in the General Division, there are 378 male and 200 female recipients, with one recipient preferring not to provide this information. This is a change from the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, which had gender parity with 246 of both male and female recipients. In 2023, there were more women than men honoured for the first time. The youngest recipient for 2025 is 19-year-old Scott Guerini for his charitable work in raising funds for Telethon since the age of four. The eldest living recipient is 101-year-old Henry Young for his service to veterans and tennis. In addition to the 581 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (14 AC, 31 AO, 123 AM and 413 OAM), today's Honours list includes: Recipients announced will be invested with their awards by the Governor-General at Government House in Canberra, or by the State Governors or Administrator of the Northern Territory in the coming months. "I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards," the Governor-General said. Anyone can nominate any Australian within the general division on the Governor-General's website. Hundreds of Australians have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours for their extraordinary work within their communities, from leading the nation through a pandemic to those who quietly pull up their sleeves to help. Governor-General Sam Mostyn announced honours and awards for 830 Australians on Sunday, June 8, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. "I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List," the Governor-General said. "These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country." "To all who are being recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia." 14 people were appointed companions of the Order of Australia, the highest honour, including: Former prime minister Scott Morrison for leading Australia during COVID-19 and his work on the AUKUS agreement; READ MORE: Scott Morrison lauded with highest King's Birthday honour Director, producer and writer Baz Luhrmann alongside his long-time collaborator and wife, production designer and producer Catherine Martin; Former CSIRO and Reserve Bank chair Kathryn Fagg, former Business Council of Australia chief executive Professor Jennifer Anne Westacott and businesswoman and former University of Canberra chancellor Wendy McCarthy; High Court Justice, The Honourable Justice Simon Harry Steward and Former Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Court of Victoria judge, The Honourable Mark Samuel Weinberg; Former ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams, who retired in 2024 after hosting his radio show Late Night Live for 33 years; and Nobel laureate in Literature Dr John Maxwell Coetzee, Professor Ian Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor Stuart Mark Howden, Distinguished Professor Graeme Leslie Stephens and Emeritus Professor Roger Byard. Among others recognised at other levels were former Socceroo Jimmy Rooney (OAM), former swimmer and AFLW CEO Nicole Livingstone (AO), WIN Corporation owner Mr Bruce Gordon (AO), former AFL footballer and businessman James Demetriou (AM) and former ABC journalist the late Matt Peacock (AM). Also recognised were television presenter and magazine editor Deborah Hutton (OAM), former Australian rugby union player Shirley Russell (AM), former Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements (OAM), weightlifter Tia-Clair Toomey (AM), jeweller and goldsmith Robert Baines (OAM), fantasy writer Garth Nix (OAM), and choreographer and performer Dr Elizabeth Dalman (AM). The Governor-General said the honours "rely on others taking the time to nominate". "Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the consideration of the work that goes on all around us and should deserve recognition." Of the 581 awards in the General Division, there are 378 male and 200 female recipients, with one recipient preferring not to provide this information. This is a change from the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, which had gender parity with 246 of both male and female recipients. In 2023, there were more women than men honoured for the first time. The youngest recipient for 2025 is 19-year-old Scott Guerini for his charitable work in raising funds for Telethon since the age of four. The eldest living recipient is 101-year-old Henry Young for his service to veterans and tennis. In addition to the 581 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (14 AC, 31 AO, 123 AM and 413 OAM), today's Honours list includes: Recipients announced will be invested with their awards by the Governor-General at Government House in Canberra, or by the State Governors or Administrator of the Northern Territory in the coming months. "I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards," the Governor-General said. Anyone can nominate any Australian within the general division on the Governor-General's website. Hundreds of Australians have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours for their extraordinary work within their communities, from leading the nation through a pandemic to those who quietly pull up their sleeves to help. Governor-General Sam Mostyn announced honours and awards for 830 Australians on Sunday, June 8, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. "I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List," the Governor-General said. "These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country." "To all who are being recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia." 14 people were appointed companions of the Order of Australia, the highest honour, including: Former prime minister Scott Morrison for leading Australia during COVID-19 and his work on the AUKUS agreement; READ MORE: Scott Morrison lauded with highest King's Birthday honour Director, producer and writer Baz Luhrmann alongside his long-time collaborator and wife, production designer and producer Catherine Martin; Former CSIRO and Reserve Bank chair Kathryn Fagg, former Business Council of Australia chief executive Professor Jennifer Anne Westacott and businesswoman and former University of Canberra chancellor Wendy McCarthy; High Court Justice, The Honourable Justice Simon Harry Steward and Former Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Court of Victoria judge, The Honourable Mark Samuel Weinberg; Former ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams, who retired in 2024 after hosting his radio show Late Night Live for 33 years; and Nobel laureate in Literature Dr John Maxwell Coetzee, Professor Ian Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor Stuart Mark Howden, Distinguished Professor Graeme Leslie Stephens and Emeritus Professor Roger Byard. Among others recognised at other levels were former Socceroo Jimmy Rooney (OAM), former swimmer and AFLW CEO Nicole Livingstone (AO), WIN Corporation owner Mr Bruce Gordon (AO), former AFL footballer and businessman James Demetriou (AM) and former ABC journalist the late Matt Peacock (AM). Also recognised were television presenter and magazine editor Deborah Hutton (OAM), former Australian rugby union player Shirley Russell (AM), former Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements (OAM), weightlifter Tia-Clair Toomey (AM), jeweller and goldsmith Robert Baines (OAM), fantasy writer Garth Nix (OAM), and choreographer and performer Dr Elizabeth Dalman (AM). The Governor-General said the honours "rely on others taking the time to nominate". "Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the consideration of the work that goes on all around us and should deserve recognition." Of the 581 awards in the General Division, there are 378 male and 200 female recipients, with one recipient preferring not to provide this information. This is a change from the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, which had gender parity with 246 of both male and female recipients. In 2023, there were more women than men honoured for the first time. The youngest recipient for 2025 is 19-year-old Scott Guerini for his charitable work in raising funds for Telethon since the age of four. The eldest living recipient is 101-year-old Henry Young for his service to veterans and tennis. In addition to the 581 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (14 AC, 31 AO, 123 AM and 413 OAM), today's Honours list includes: Recipients announced will be invested with their awards by the Governor-General at Government House in Canberra, or by the State Governors or Administrator of the Northern Territory in the coming months. "I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards," the Governor-General said. Anyone can nominate any Australian within the general division on the Governor-General's website. Hundreds of Australians have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours for their extraordinary work within their communities, from leading the nation through a pandemic to those who quietly pull up their sleeves to help. Governor-General Sam Mostyn announced honours and awards for 830 Australians on Sunday, June 8, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. "I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List," the Governor-General said. "These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country." "To all who are being recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia." 14 people were appointed companions of the Order of Australia, the highest honour, including: Former prime minister Scott Morrison for leading Australia during COVID-19 and his work on the AUKUS agreement; READ MORE: Scott Morrison lauded with highest King's Birthday honour Director, producer and writer Baz Luhrmann alongside his long-time collaborator and wife, production designer and producer Catherine Martin; Former CSIRO and Reserve Bank chair Kathryn Fagg, former Business Council of Australia chief executive Professor Jennifer Anne Westacott and businesswoman and former University of Canberra chancellor Wendy McCarthy; High Court Justice, The Honourable Justice Simon Harry Steward and Former Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Court of Victoria judge, The Honourable Mark Samuel Weinberg; Former ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams, who retired in 2024 after hosting his radio show Late Night Live for 33 years; and Nobel laureate in Literature Dr John Maxwell Coetzee, Professor Ian Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor Stuart Mark Howden, Distinguished Professor Graeme Leslie Stephens and Emeritus Professor Roger Byard. Among others recognised at other levels were former Socceroo Jimmy Rooney (OAM), former swimmer and AFLW CEO Nicole Livingstone (AO), WIN Corporation owner Mr Bruce Gordon (AO), former AFL footballer and businessman James Demetriou (AM) and former ABC journalist the late Matt Peacock (AM). Also recognised were television presenter and magazine editor Deborah Hutton (OAM), former Australian rugby union player Shirley Russell (AM), former Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements (OAM), weightlifter Tia-Clair Toomey (AM), jeweller and goldsmith Robert Baines (OAM), fantasy writer Garth Nix (OAM), and choreographer and performer Dr Elizabeth Dalman (AM). The Governor-General said the honours "rely on others taking the time to nominate". "Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the consideration of the work that goes on all around us and should deserve recognition." Of the 581 awards in the General Division, there are 378 male and 200 female recipients, with one recipient preferring not to provide this information. This is a change from the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, which had gender parity with 246 of both male and female recipients. In 2023, there were more women than men honoured for the first time. The youngest recipient for 2025 is 19-year-old Scott Guerini for his charitable work in raising funds for Telethon since the age of four. The eldest living recipient is 101-year-old Henry Young for his service to veterans and tennis. In addition to the 581 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (14 AC, 31 AO, 123 AM and 413 OAM), today's Honours list includes: Recipients announced will be invested with their awards by the Governor-General at Government House in Canberra, or by the State Governors or Administrator of the Northern Territory in the coming months. "I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards," the Governor-General said. Anyone can nominate any Australian within the general division on the Governor-General's website.
