Cathy Freeman receives highest honour: Former Olympic Gold medallist recognised in Australia Day Honours list; all about her life, career and key achievements

Cathy Freeman, Australia’s Olympic sprinter, has been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours list. She is one of only ten Australians this year honoured with the highest award, a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). The former Australian legend was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia, the country’s highest civilian honour.

The honours committee recognised her athletic achievements and also acknowledged her social impact across the community and her work on the reconciliation movement in the spirit of unity and inclusion and as a role model to young people.

According to the Governor-General of Australia, Freeman has been recognised “for her eminent service to athletics as an international competitor and ambassador, to positive social impact across the community, to the reconciliation movement in the spirit of unity and inclusion, and as a role model to youth.

The Order of Australia: About the awards

The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement, according to the Governor-General of Australia. There are four levels of award: Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), Member of the Order of Australia (AM), and Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

The Order of Australia also has a Military Division (awards in this division are recommended to the Governor-General by the Minister for Defence). Anyone can nominate a member of the community for an award in the Order of Australia.

Nominating someone is a chance to recognise a peer for their hard work, service and dedication. It is an opportunity to celebrate those inspiring people who make our nation what it is.

All nominations are independently researched before they are considered by the Council for the Order of Australia. This research checks the information you provide and gathers more details about the person you are nominating.

The Council for the Order of Australia considers the information and makes a recommendation to the Governor-General. Ultimately, the outcome is based on the impact the nominee has had. Your nomination is a starting point in the process, and success is not based on how well you write the nomination.

Cathy Freeman: Early life, career and achievements

Cathy Freeman was born on February 16, 1973, in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. She was an Australian sprinter who excelled in the 400-metre dash. She etched her name in history when she became the first Australian Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal in 2000.

At the age of 17, she began competitive running on the advice of her stepfather, winning a gold medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games as a member of the 4 × 100-metre relay team, according to Britannica. She was also named Young Australian of the Year.

Although Freeman failed to win a medal at the Barcelona Games in 1992, she still continued to grow from strength to strength and became the first Australian Aboriginal person to compete in the Olympics, bringing fresh attention to Aboriginal people, who had historically encountered discrimination.

Cathy Freeman: Contributions and achievements

Cathy Freeman Foundation (now Murrup)

• Director, 2007-2021.
• Founder, 2007.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame

• Legend of Australian Sport, 2011.
• Inductee, 2005.
• Mentor, Scholarship and Mentoring Program, 2012 and 2015.

Commonwealth Games

• Ambassador, Gold Coast, 2018.
• Gold Medallist, 4x400m Women's Relay, Manchester, 2002.

Patronage and Governance

• Member, Sport and Active Society Commission, International Olympic Committee, 2016.
• Ambassador, Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, 2009-2012.
• Ambassador and Patron, Cottage by the Sea, 2003-2015.
• Advisory Committee, Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Monash University.

Awards and Recognition include

• Cathy Freeman Stand, Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, 2023.
• Order of Merit, Australian Olympic Committee, 2018.
• International Olympic Committee, Women and Sport Award (Oceania), 2015.
• Inductee, Hall of Fame, Australian Athletics, 2009.
• Medal of the Order of Australia, 2001.
• Centenary Medal, 2001.
• Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Sports Award, 2001.
• ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award, 2001.
• Inductee, Victorian Honour Roll of Women, Victorian Government, 2001.
• Australian Sports Medal, 2000.
• Don Award, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, 2000.