I was honoured to receive Australia Day honours in the form of a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on 26 January 2022. There hasn’t been a ceremony as yet so no medal to speak of to don at official functions, but as someone who is still relatively young and very much mid career this feels like a moment to celebrate for both the arts and an almost equal list of female recipients of these Australia Day honours. I have had so many people from my past and current life reach out with lovely words and congratulations - not least these very fond memories from Roger Woodward OBE:
"One of the few, very special moments which are impossible to forget from the period of the Sydney Spring Festival (1989-2001) was was when you first lifted your drum stick to Xenakis. Your inspirational direction since then, brought others together successfully for more than twenty-five years.
Throughout the 1990s when I told Xenakis about the fearless, Amazonian relationship you had created with his works he chuckled in delight even though it was during the final period when he had begun withdrawing from the world.
It was because of you and those with courage like you that the exploration of the new prevailed in Sydney when I believed it might not...I deeply admired your determination to preserve all that was worthwhile in Sydney. You confirmed everything I always believed about you as an artist and as the one who would provide convincing leadership. Your achievements over twenty-five years are amazing. You are a great musician and human being."
Read this Limelight article about all the artists who received honours. Photo by Shayne Leslie Photography.
