{"id":82175,"date":"2026-01-25T22:35:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T01:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/australia-day-honours-list-2026-meet-some-of-the-people-inspiring-the-nation\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T22:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T01:35:32","slug":"australia-day-honours-list-2026-meet-some-of-the-people-inspiring-the-nation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/australia-day-honours-list-2026-meet-some-of-the-people-inspiring-the-nation\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia Day Honours List 2026: Meet some of the people inspiring the nation"},"content":{"rendered":"


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More than a quarter of a century after her blistering run in Sydney to claim Olympic gold, Cathy Freeman has been bestowed Australia’s highest honour.<\/p>\n

Freeman was recognised for eminent service to athletics, as well as for “positive social impact across the community, to the reconciliation movement in the spirit of unity and inclusion, and as a role model to youth”.<\/p>\n

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Cathy Freeman etched her name into Australian sporting folklore with her win in the 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics. (Getty: Nick Wilson\/Allsport<\/span>)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The 52-year-old was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia, and said she was “surprised” to have been granted “such a lovely honour”.<\/p>\n

“As my mother says, it’s a lovely gift from the Australian public,” Freeman said.<\/p>\n