Luke Bateman shared his love of books online. Then social media turned on him
Less than two months ago, in his first-ever TikTok video, Luke Bateman spoke to the camera from a truck in Toowoomba. The former NRL player, who also appeared on the 2023 season of The Bachelor, and who now works as a tree-logger, smiled and greeted the 'BookTok' community, saying that he's loved reading his entire life.
'I've never really had anywhere to talk about it or share those things,' he says, '... cause obviously being a male in a lot of blue-collar work'. Bateman said he hoped to speak to like-minded people about the stories he loves – fantasy, in particular – and find recommendations.
For the unfamiliar, the BookTok community first boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when readers started to use TikTok to discuss their favourite books and authors. Colleen Hoover, for example, found herself on the New York Times bestseller list after her novel, It Ends With Us, gained traction via BookTok.
To date, the BookTok hashtag has hundreds of billions of views and tens of millions of posts. It has also reshaped the publishing industry. Naturally, brands, publishers and authors have pivoted to focus on infiltrating the space as part of their marketing campaigns in the hope of going viral and seeing sales skyrocket.
Bateman's first post quickly racked up 2 million views and within weeks, the former footy star had become a poster child for BookTok, amassing 150,000 followers and launching a book club with close to 6000 members.
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Then in late May, Bateman posted something a little different. Trading in the front seat of his truck for a cosy room in front of a bookcase, he announced that he'd signed a two-book deal with Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia. 'It's a childhood dream come true,' he said. 'I've wanted to be an author my entire life.' He became emotional, thanking the community for giving him the opportunity 'to put my heart on the page for all of you'.
But as is often the way with social media, it didn't take long for the tide to turn.
'This is literally enraging. Absolutely unbelievable.'
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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.
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Scott Morrison, Baz Lurhrmann, Catherine Martin headline King's Birthday Honours List
Scott Morrison has received the highest possible accolade in the King's Birthday Honours List alongside prominent figures including filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his Academy Award-winning costume designer partner, Catherine Martin. Australia's 30th prime minister, who led the nation from 2018 until the coalition's 2022 election loss, was recognised for 'eminent service to the people and parliament of Australia, particularly as prime minister'. He famously declared 'miracles happen' when re-elected in 2019, and Sunday's news of his appointment to the Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia could come as a surprise to some people, given his low approval ratings at the time he left office. But since the establishment of the Order of Australia in 1975, every ex-prime minister has been appointed a Companion except Paul Keating, who declined because he believed the honours should be reserved for those whose community work went unrecognised. Morrison's honour specifically points to his 'notable contributions to global engagement, to leadership of the national COVID-19 response, to economic initiatives, and to national security enhancements, especially through leadership of Australia's contribution to AUKUS'. He received significant support during the early days of the pandemic, with an April 2020 Newspoll revealing he had the highest satisfaction rating for any prime minister since Kevin Rudd in 2009. But by the end of his second term, he had become the most unpopular major party leader since at least 1987, according to an Australian National University study. The lead-up to the 2022 election was plagued with blunders as Morrison crash tackled a child, performed a ukulele rendition of April Sun in Cuba and took off a protective mask to gaze straight into welding sparks. He was also criticised for saying, 'I don't hold a hose, mate' when questioned over his decision to go on a family trip to Hawaii during the 2019 Black Summer bushfires. And shortly before leaving politics, Morrison stunned parliamentary colleagues when it was revealed he had secretly appointed himself to five ministerial positions during the pandemic. The King's Birthday Honours List names 581 people in the General Division of the Order of Australia, including academics, ex-sport stars, leaders and creatives. 'These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country,' Governor-General Sam Mostyn said. Fourteen people were appointed to the highest honour, AC. Luhrmann and Martin, best known for their work on films including Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby and Strictly Ballroom, received the accolade for their service to the arts. Environmental scientist Mark Howden, who served as a vice chair on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was also appointed to AC alongside business leader Jennifer Westacott and NASA climate science centre co-director Graeme Stephens.
