Latest news with #OrderofAustralia
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trailblazing Indigenous actor and dancer who was awarded an Order of Australia dies aged 90
A trailblazing Indigenous actor and dancer who was awarded an Order of Australia in 2015 has died in Melbourne. The arts world is mourning the loss of Noel Tovey AM, a multi-award-winning dancer, actor, director, choreographer, mentor and storyteller. Noel, who passed away earlier this month aged 90, was a true pioneer - the first Aboriginal Australian male ballet dancer and a globally celebrated figure in the performing arts. Born in Melbourne on Christmas Day 1934, Noel's early years were marked by hardship - but his hard work and commitment saw him rise against the odds to worldwide recognition. Noel earned multiple awards and global acclaim over a career spanning more than seven decades. This included recognition as a dancer, actor, director, choreographer, mentor, writer and storyteller. He rose to fame in the late '50s as a stage actor and dancer, and appeared in Australia and London in many renowned productions, including William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part II. The talented dancer also appeared in the groundbreaking 1959 Channel Seven TV series Beauty and the Beast opposite late actor Paul Karo, and featured in the popular 1963 TV movie The Hot Potato Boys with actor Peter Aanensen. His achievements broke new ground for Indigenous Australians in ballet and the wider performing arts, opening doors for future generations. In 2015, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts. Noel's work included collaborations with internationally renowned figures such as Vanessa Redgrave, Boy George, and Damian Hirst and extended across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition to his artistic accomplishments, he was a passionate advocate for First Nations rights and LGBTQ+ communities. He played a key role in significant cultural moments, including the Indigenous welcome ceremony at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. At the time, he staged the incredible achievement of directing a production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in Sydney featuring an all-Aboriginal cast. Heartbroken fans took to social media to share their memories of Noel. 'A testament to human dignity and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Rest in peace, dear Noel,' one person wrote. 'What a life! Vale,' a second added. 'Rest in power, Uncle Noel - travel safe to the Dreamtime,' a third person chipped in. Despite health challenges in recent years, Noel remained committed to mentoring emerging Indigenous artists. He later helped foster new talent through initiatives such as a scholarship established in his name. In his later years, he was frequently seen giving political speeches at rallies across Australia.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Beloved Play School star Judy Bailey dies aged 89
Beloved Playschool star Judy Bailey had died in Sydney, aged 89. Bailey, an Auckland-born jazz musician, passed away in Willoughby on Friday. Bailey began formal music training at the age of 10. By 16, she had received a diploma from Trinity College London. The musician moved to Sydney in 1960, where she immersed herself into the city's vibrant music scene. She performed at the well-known El Rocco club. The vibrant performer soon found her way into TV, including stints on all three major networks. Tommy Tycho's Orchestra on Channel Seven, John Bamford's Orchestra on Channel Nine and Jack Grimsley's Orchestra on Channel 10. By 1973, she was part of the founding faculty of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music's jazz studies program, a role she was deeply passionate about throughout her life. Bailey started working on the ABC's Radio Kindergarten program for young people. That led to her role on Play School, where she became part of the cherished program. She later directed the Sydney Youth Jazz Ensemble, toured southeast Asia with a quartet for Musica Viva, and served as musical director for Sydney Opera House's Bennelong jazz series. Bailey got a number of honours including the Order of Australia medal in 2004. She also received the APRA Jazz Composition Award and an induction into the Australian Jazz Bell Hall of Fame in 2014. Tributes started pouring in for Bailey, including from musician Virna Sanzone. She wrote: 'I'm one of probably thousands of musicians lucky enough to have been mentored, nurtured and championed by Judy. Her generosity, energy and positivity seemed to be boundless. 'I met Judy in 1996 when I was as green as could be. Two years later, I was singing as part of her trio at the Opera House. She lovingly threw me in the deep end so many times in my early days as a singer, and I can't thank her enough for that. 'Judy taught us all so much. For one thing, I can safely say I owe a lot of my inner musical world to Judy. She taught people to listen, to really hear, deeply. What a precious gift for any musician.' She is survived by her children, Chris and Lisette.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Lee Hsien Loong receives Australia's highest civilian honour for advancing bilateral ties
SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has received Australia's highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia, for his contributions toward growing its bilateral relationship with Singapore. Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who is on a state visit to Singapore, conferred on Lee the award of Honorary Companion in the General Division of The Order of Australia at an investiture ceremony on Tuesday (Aug 5). A citation from the Prime Minister's Office, Australia, said that 'throughout his 40-year political career, and particularly as Prime Minister of Singapore from 2004 to 2024, Lee has made significant contributions to advancing Australia-Singapore relations'. 'He has been a strong and influential advocate for closer ties between our two countries and has consistently driven agreements and initiatives which encourage stronger and mutually beneficial relationships,' the citation added. The economic relationship between Australia and Singapore has grown enormously during Lee's term as PM, the citation said, with Singapore becoming Australia's largest trading partner and investor in South-East Asia. The citation noted how Lee oversaw and drove six revisions of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) – Canberra's first bilateral FTA with an Asian country – to keep it up to date and 'anticipate change through new technologies and supply chain vulnerabilities'. He oversaw the development of the 2015 Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which serves as a broad-ranging agreement to deepen collaboration between both countries, it said. He also actively welcomed and supported defence and security partnerships between the two countries, which have contributed to regional peace and security, and advocated strongly for Australia's inclusion in key regional forums, the citation said. It added: 'Lee's eminent service to the Australia-Singapore bilateral relationship is thoroughly worthy of formal national recognition'. Lee was accompanied by his wife at the ceremony, held at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann, and North West District Mayor Alex Yam, who is also chairman of the Singapore-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group. In a speech after the investiture, Lee thanked the Australian government for the honour and said he was 'deeply humbled to receive the award'. 'I do so on behalf of the generations of Singaporeans and Australians who have worked hard to strengthen the partnership between our two nations over the past six decades,' he added. He noted that Australia had been a steadfast friend to Singapore over the years, being among the first to recognise the Republic's independence, and the first to establish diplomatic relations with it. The bonds have only deepened, he said. Security relations, which began with the Five Power Defence Arrangements in 1971, have grown over the years, with Australia welcoming the Singapore Armed Forces to train in the country. This year is the 35th anniversary of Exercise Wallaby, the SAF's largest overseas unilateral exercise, in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland. And as both sides celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025, Lee said he looks forward to its next bound and upgrade, when Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visits Australia for the 10th annual leaders' meeting later this year. Australia and Singapore have achieved a lot bilaterally and regionally, despite being very different countries, added Lee, who cited former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's description of the two as 'a wide brown land and a little red dot'. 'It is fundamentally about our shared values, our compatible perspectives of the world, and a deep reservoir of trust built up over the years. We both believe in the importance of an open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral order,' said Lee. 'Our societies are multicultural, diverse, and pragmatic. Australian leaders from both sides of the political aisle appreciate that Australia's future is deeply intertwined with our region's, while Singapore has consistently sought to be a steadfast partner and pathfinder for Australia's engagement in South-East Asia.' Lee added: 'These deep and extensive ties did not come about by chance. They are the fruit of sustained hard work, political will, and mutual trust built through weathering tough times together. 'I am privileged to have played a modest part in strengthening this relationship. I am confident that Singapore and Australia's friendship will continue to blossom and grow.' Former Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was awarded the Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in 2005, for his contribution to Australia-Singapore ties. Former foreign minister George Yeo, Stamford Land Corporation executive chairman Ow Chio Kiat and former police commissioner Khoo Boon Hui are among past recipients of the award of Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, for their contribution to relations between the two countries. - The Straits Times/ANN
AsiaOne
7 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
SM Lee receives Australia's highest civilian honour for advancing bilateral ties, Singapore News
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has received Australia's highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia, for his contributions toward growing its bilateral relationship with Singapore. Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who is on a state visit to Singapore, conferred on Lee the award of Honorary Companion in the General Division of The Order of Australia at an investiture ceremony on Aug 5. A citation from the Prime Minister's Office, Australia, said that "throughout his 40-year political career, and particularly as Prime Minister of Singapore from 2004 to 2024, Lee has made significant contributions to advancing Australia-Singapore relations". "He has been a strong and influential advocate for closer ties between our two countries and has consistently driven agreements and initiatives which encourage stronger and mutually beneficial relationships," the citation added. The economic relationship between Australia and Singapore has grown enormously during Lee's term as PM, the citation said, with Singapore becoming Australia's largest trading partner and investor in South-east Asia. The citation noted how Lee oversaw and drove six revisions of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) — Canberra's first bilateral FTA with an Asian country — to keep it up to date and "anticipate change through new technologies and supply chain vulnerabilities". He oversaw the development of the 2015 Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which serves as a broad-ranging agreement to deepen collaboration between both countries, it said. He also actively welcomed and supported defence and security partnerships between the two countries, which have contributed to regional peace and security, and advocated strongly for Australia's inclusion in key regional forums, the citation said. It added: "Mr Lee's eminent service to the Australia-Singapore bilateral relationship is thoroughly worthy of formal national recognition". Lee was accompanied by Mrs Lee at the ceremony, held at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann, and North West District Mayor Alex Yam, who is also chairman of the Singapore-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group. In a speech after the investiture, Lee thanked the Australian government for the honour and said he was "deeply humbled to receive the award". "I do so on behalf of the generations of Singaporeans and Australians who have worked hard to strengthen the partnership between our two nations over the past six decades," he added. He noted that Australia had been a steadfast friend to Singapore over the years, being among the first to recognise the Republic's independence, and the first to establish diplomatic relations with it. The bonds have only deepened, he said. Security relations, which began with the Five Power Defence Arrangements in 1971, have grown over the years, with Australia welcoming the Singapore Armed Forces to train in the country. This year is the 35th anniversary of Exercise Wallaby, the SAF's largest overseas unilateral exercise, in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland. And as both sides celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025, Lee said he looks forward to its next bound and upgrade, when Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visits Australia for the 10th annual leaders' meeting later this year. Australia and Singapore have achieved a lot bilaterally and regionally, despite being very different countries, added Lee, who cited former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's description of the two as "a wide brown land and a little red dot". "It is fundamentally about our shared values, our compatible perspectives of the world, and a deep reservoir of trust built up over the years. We both believe in the importance of an open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral order," said Lee. "Our societies are multicultural, diverse, and pragmatic. Australian leaders from both sides of the political aisle appreciate that Australia's future is deeply intertwined with our region's, while Singapore has consistently sought to be a steadfast partner and pathfinder for Australia's engagement in Southeast Asia." Lee added: "These deep and extensive ties did not come about by chance. They are the fruit of sustained hard work, political will, and mutual trust built through weathering tough times together. "I am privileged to have played a modest part in strengthening this relationship. I am confident that Singapore and Australia's friendship will continue to blossom and grow." Former Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was awarded the Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in 2005, for his contribution to Australia-Singapore ties. Former foreign minister George Yeo, Stamford Land Corporation executive chairman Ow Chio Kiat and former police commissioner Khoo Boon Hui are among past recipients of the award of Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, for their contribution to relations between the two countries. [[nid:720319]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
05-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
SM Lee receives Australia's highest civilian honour for advancing bilateral ties
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SM Lee Hsien Loong with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn at the ceremony where he was made an Honorary Companion in the General Division of The Order of Australia. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has received Australia's highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia, for his contributions toward growing its bilateral relationship with Singapore. Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who is on a state visit to Singapore, conferred on Mr Lee the award of Honorary Companion in the General Division of The Order of Australia at an investiture ceremony on Aug 5. A citation from the Prime Minister's Office, Australia, said that 'throughout his 40-year political career, and particularly as Prime Minister of Singapore from 2004 to 2024, Mr Lee has made significant contributions to advancing Australia-Singapore relations'. 'He has been a strong and influential advocate for closer ties between our two countries and has consistently driven agreements and initiatives which encourage stronger and mutually beneficial relationships,' the citation added. The economic relationship between Australia and Singapore has grown enormously during Mr Lee's term as PM, the citation said, with Singapore becoming Australia's largest trading partner and investor in South-east Asia. The citation noted how Mr Lee oversaw and drove six revisions of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) – Canberra's first bilateral FTA with an Asian country – to keep it up to date and 'anticipate change through new technologies and supply chain vulnerabilities'. He oversaw the development of the 2015 Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which serves as a broad-ranging agreement to deepen collaboration between both countries, it said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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It added: 'Mr Lee's eminent service to the Australia-Singapore bilateral relationship is thoroughly worthy of formal national recognition'. Mr Lee was accompanied by Mrs Lee at the ceremony, held at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann, and North West District Mayor Alex Yam, who is also chairman of the Singapore-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group. In a speech after the investiture, Mr Lee thanked the Australian government for the honour and said he was 'deeply humbled to receive the award'. 'I do so on behalf of the generations of Singaporeans and Australians who have worked hard to strengthen the partnership between our two nations over the past six decades,' he added. He noted that Australia had been a steadfast friend to Singapore over the years, being among the first to recognise the Republic's independence, and the first to establish diplomatic relations with it. The bonds have only deepened, he said. Security relations, which began with the Five Power Defence Arrangements in 1971, have grown over the years, with Australia welcoming the Singapore Armed Forces to train in the country. This year is the 35th anniversary of Exercise Wallaby, the SAF's largest overseas unilateral exercise, in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland. And as both sides celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025, Mr Lee said he looks forward to its next bound and upgrade, when Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visits Australia for the 10th annual leaders' meeting later this year. Australia and Singapore have achieved a lot bilaterally and regionally, despite being very different countries, added Mr Lee, who cited former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's description of the two as 'a wide brown land and a little red dot'. 'It is fundamentally about our shared values, our compatible perspectives of the world, and a deep reservoir of trust built up over the years. We both believe in the importance of an open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral order,' said Mr Lee. 'Our societies are multicultural, diverse, and pragmatic. Australian leaders from both sides of the political aisle appreciate that Australia's future is deeply intertwined with our region's, while Singapore has consistently sought to be a steadfast partner and pathfinder for Australia's engagement in Southeast Asia.' Mr Lee added: 'These deep and extensive ties did not come about by chance. They are the fruit of sustained hard work, political will, and mutual trust built through weathering tough times together. 'I am privileged to have played a modest part in strengthening this relationship. I am confident that Singapore and Australia's friendship will continue to blossom and grow.' Former Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was awarded the Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in 2005, for his contribution to Australia-Singapore ties. Former foreign minister George Yeo, Stamford Land Corporation executive chairman Ow Chio Kiat and former police commissioner Khoo Boon Hui are among past recipients of the award of Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, for their contribution to relations between the two countries.
