Two of Australia’s best know television faces, Melissa Doyle and Lisa Wilkinson, were recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours, both being appointed a Member in the general division of the Order of Australia.
Melissa Doyle was recognised for her service to the community through representational roles with a range of charitable groups and the broadcast media.
The Channel Seven presenter joined the network in 1995 after beginning her television career with WIN TV in Canberra. She became best known as a co-host of Sunrise before moving to prime time duties with Seven News and Sunday Night.
Lisa Wilkinson’s honour was for significant service to the print and broadcast media as a journalist and presenter, and to a range of youth and women’s health groups.
Her current duties as co-host of the Nine Network’s Today began in 2007 but also include the host of a number of special television events including Carols by Candlelight, Australian of the Year Awards and Federal Election coverage. Prior to that she worked at the Seven and Ten networks and Foxtel.
Her print media achievements include Editor and International Editor in Chief, Cleo Magazine, 1985-1995; Editor, Dolly Magazine, 1980-1984 and Editor-At-Large, Australian Women’s Weekly, 1999-2007.
Full list of media related honours announced today were.
###Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Mr Brian James MALLON, South Yarra, Vic
For distinguished service to the community, particularly to children, through roles with medical and charitable foundations, and to the broadcast media industry.
Broadcast media service includes: Managing Director, Channel 7 Pty Ltd, Melbourne, 1989-1997.
###Member (AM) In The General Division Of The Order Of Australia
Mr Richard Alan ACKLAND, Potts Point, NSW
For significant service to the print and television media industries, particularly through reporting on legal issues, and as a publisher.
Presenter, Media Watch, ABC TV, 1998-1999.
Host, Daybreak, ABC Radio National, 1980s.
Host, Late Night Live, ABC Radio National, 1970s-1980s.
Canberra correspondent for the Australian Financial Review during the 1970s.
Ms Filippina Lydia (Tina) ARENA, Surry Hills, NSW
For significant service to the music industry as a singer, songwriter, and recording artist, and as a supporter of charitable groups.
Ms Arena is a singer, songwriter and performer.
Has released numerous albums.
Performer in numerous stage musicals and at various venues.
Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games, 2000.
Performer, Young Talent Time television show.
Ms Patsy BISCOE, Tanunda, SA
For significant service to the performing arts, and to the television industry, as a children’s entertainer, and to the community of the Barossa Valley.
Children’s Entertainer, for over 30 years, performing in a range of stage and television shows including:
Fat Cat and Friends, Here’s Humphrey and Channel Niners.
Has performed more than 2000 concerts for young children, Australia wide.
Ms Melissa Jane DOYLE, NSW
For significant service to the community through representational roles with a range of charitable groups, and to the broadcast media.
Media service includes:
The Seven Network:
Journalist/television Presenter, Seven Network, since 1995.
Host, National News Service, current.
Host, ‘Sunday Night’, current.
Co-Host, ‘Sunrise’, 2001 - 2013 and 1997-1999.
Host, ‘The Zoo’, 2008.
News Presenter/General Reporter, Prime Television, prior to 1995.
Radio Host, Smooth FM, Nova Entertainment, current.
Columnist, News Limited, 2008 - 2009.
Mr Michael (Mike) Hayden WALSH OBE, Sydney, NSW
For significant service to the entertainment industry, and to the performing arts through support for young actors, theatre restoration and production
Host, The Mike Walsh Show’ Ten Network and Nine Network, 1973 - 1985.
Recipient, Gold Logie, TV Week, 1980; Recipient, 24 Logies’.
Recipient, Best Light Entertainment Series, Television Society, 1980; Best Current Affairs Interviewer
Ms Lisa WILKINSON, NSW
For significant service to the print and broadcast media as a journalist and presenter, and to a range of youth and women’s health groups.
Print and Broadcast service includes:
Co-host, The Today Show, Nine Network, since 2007.
Presenter of a range of special television events including Carols by Candlelight, Australian of the Year Awards and Federal Election coverage.
Co-host, Weekend Sunrise, Seven Network, 2005-2007.
Co-host, The Morning Shift, Seven Network, 2000.
Panellist, Beauty and the Beast, Ten Network and Foxtel, 1996-2002.
Co-host, Doug Mulray Drive Show, 2WS-FM, 1998-1999.
Editor and International Editor in Chief, Cleo Magazine, 1985-1995.
Editor, Dolly Magazine, 1980-1984.
Editor-At-Large, Australian Women’s Weekly, 1999-2007.
Editor-At-Large, Huffington Post Australia, since 2015.
###Medal (OAM) In The General Division
Mr John Ruthven BUCHANAN, Belrose, NSW
For service to jazz music, and to the broadcast media.
Volunteer Presenter, Fine Music FM 102.5, current and Member, Jazz Committee, current.
Broadcaster, Radio 2MBS, Radio 2CCR and Radio 2NSB, 15 years.
Mr Samuel Joseph JOHNSON, Moorabbin, Vic
For service to cancer research support organisations, and to the performing arts.
Performing arts:
Has appeared in a range of Australian television series including:
Rush, 2008-2011.
Underbelly, 2009.
The Secret Life of Us, 2001-2005.
The Pacific, 2010.
Ms Zanne Jappe MALLETT, Chatswood West, NSW
For service to the Scandinavian community, and to multicultural media.
Presenter and Executive Producer, Danish Program, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Radio, 1980-2013. Scandinavian Head of Group, 1979-1980.
Subtitler, SBS Television, 1989-2013.
Provided English commentary for SBS TV on the occasion of the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson, 2004.
Mr Gregory Mark MILES, Williamstown VIC
For service to horse racing as a radio and television caller and presenter.
Service includes:
Chief Race Caller and Broadcaster, Racing Victoria Limited, current.
Race Caller, RSN Racing and Sport 927AM, since 2005.
Head Race Caller, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), 1981.
President, Victorian Racing Media Association.
Mr Eugene Oliver O’ROURKE, Malvern East, Vic
For service to the community, particularly through multicultural media.
Service includes:
3ZZZ Melbourne Ethnic Community Radio:
Chairperson, Broadcast Convenor Group, current.
Member, Building Committee.
Volunteer Broadcaster, GIor na nGael (Irish Program), since 1989; Convenor, since 1996.
Past Council Member.
Past Chairperson, Programming Committee.
Foundation Member, since 1989.