Australia Day

From flood rescues to undersea warfare capability development, cyber operations and coalition deployments, 82 Defence personnel have been recognised in the 2026 Australia Day honours list for their contributions across the land, maritime, air and cyber domains.

Representing ranks from signaller to rear admiral, the recipients include personnel who have shaped emerging capabilities, led teams on operations at home and overseas, and delivered critical technical and specialist expertise across the Australian Defence Force.

This year’s honours include 11 appointments as Members in the Military Division of the Order of Australia and 12 Medals in the Military Division of the Order of Australia, as well as distinguished and conspicuous service decorations.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Navy: Commodore Stephen Dalton RAN; Commodore Nathan Robb RAN; Rear Admiral Brett Sonter RAN

Army: Colonel Mark Coyle; Brigadier Nathan Juchniewicz DSC and Bar CSC; Brigadier M

Air Force: Air Commodore Maria Brick; Group Captain Aleisha Broadhead; Squadron Leader Andrew Harris; Wing Commander Nadia Harrison CSM

MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Navy: Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins CSM; Commander Nicholas Doyle RAN; Commander Wesley North RAN; Petty Officer Kerryn Seaborn; Chief Petty Officer Erol Williams

Army: Warrant Officer Class Two K; Warrant Officer Class One Kimberly Kiely; Warrant Officer Class One Michael Killalea; Warrant Officer Class One Anthony Luchterhand

Air Force: Flight Lieutenant Christopher Rhone; Wing Commander Estevan Samanes; Air Commodore Brett Williams CSM

COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE (CDS)

Army: Sergeant Ashlee Liversedge; Ms Sarah Nixon

BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC and Bar)

Army: Colonel Gerard Kearns CSC

Air Force: Group Captain Anthony Kay CSC; Air Commodore Kaarin Kooij CSC

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)

Navy: Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Bonehill RAN; Captain Aaron Cox RAN; Commander Stefanie Curic RAN; Lieutenant Commander Caitlin Fuller RAN; Lieutenant Commander Jay Pettifer CSM RAN; Chief Petty Officer Bradley Smith

Army: Sergeant Kirsti Claymore; Lieutenant Colonel Sven Harris; Corporal Geoffrey Izod; Brigadier Caitlin Langford; Colonel Scottie Morris; Lieutenant Colonel Tegan Musumeci; Sergeant Rick Scott; Colonel Lauren Wright

Air Force: Group Captain Phillip Godfrey; Wing Commander Shannon McGuckin; Flight Sergeant Gary Neidert; Group Captain Lucas Ricciardi

BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM and Bar)

Navy: Lieutenant Commander Justin Downey-Price CSM RAN; Warrant Officer Lyndon Quirke CSM

Army: Major Justin Cross CSM

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL

Navy: Petty Officer Jack Bellingham; Lieutenant Commander Gemma Casserly RAN; Commander Joshua Clifford RAN; Lieutenant Commander Daniel Dowell RAN; Chief Petty Officer Gavin Downes; Captain Benjamin Hurst RAN; Chief Petty Officer Adam Moxham; Leading Seaman Jack Schulze; Lieutenant Commander Scott Shipton OAM RAN; Lieutenant Perri Trew RAN; Chief Petty Officer Tara-Ann Wilson

Army: Major P; Signaller Bailey Campbell; Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Dent; Lieutenant Colonel Julian Fleming; Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Kukas; Colonel Andrew Moss; Warrant Officer Class One William Renwick; Colonel Scott Revell; Warrant Officer Class Two Corey Rocca; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Squire; Major Joshua Vogel; Warrant Officer Class One Nigel Ward; Lieutenant Colonel Shandelle Welbourn

Air Force: Flight Lieutenant I; Flight Sergeant Anthony Ahchow; Warrant Officer Geoffrey Bird; Flying Officer Chad Bowes; Warrant Officer Kerrie-Anne Hammond; Sergeant Gavin Jefferis; Wing Commander Grant Leader; Flight Lieutenant Scott McNichol; Warrant Officer Ivan Petrovic; Flight Lieutenant Thomas Rogers

For the full list of Australia Day award recipients visit the Governor-General's website.