More than 700 Australians have been recognised for their achievements in the Queen’s Birthday honours announced on Monday.

There were 170 women and 349 males appointed to the Order of Australia, while a further 198 were recognised through military and meritorious awards.

Athletes, philanthropists, entertainers, scientists, indigenous leaders and lawyers were honoured, with eight receiving the top honour of Companion of the Order of Australia.

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Entertainer and reporter: Denis Walter

After more than four decades in show business, Australian entertainer Denis Walter admitted there was one field he never conquered.

“I’ve experienced all areas except for theatre,” he said.

“But never say never.”

Australia has grown up with Mr Walter’s baritone voice, whether it’s been on the radio, television or through his music.

He presented the WIN evening regional news for 16 years and has been a Melbourne radio host for another 16 years – all while recording 16 albums.

He’s performed at the Carols by Candlelight events for more than 30 years and said music is in the family blood.

Mr Walter was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his work in broadcast media, as a singer and for his charitable work.

Australian radio presenter, singer, recording artist and media personality Denis Walter. Photo: AAP

Sports star: Lauren Jackson

Four-time Olympic medallist Lauren Jackson said being named on the Queen’s Birthday honours list made her want to push on for another year.

“It’s one of those things that never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be honoured with,” Ms Jackson said.

She was appointed an officer in the Order of Australia (AO), having won four Olympic medals, Commonwealth Games gold and several other achievements in the Women’s National Basketball Association and Women’s National Basketball League.

The accolade also recognised her role as a mentor to women in sport and social work.

National basketballer Lauren Jackson. Photo: AAP

Businessman and philanthropist: Dick Smith

Former Australian of the Year Dick Smith has called for an end to the “pathetic political strutting” in Canberra, urging MPs to pass laws to legalise same-sex marriage.

The businessman, aviator, conservationist, and philanthropist  lambasted all sides of politics for bickering over who or which party should have “ownership” of gay-marriage legislation, and said Prime Minister Tony Abbott should show some leadership on the issue.

Mr Smith was awarded one of the nation’s highest honours, appointed a companion (AC) of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the community, humanitarian and social welfare programs, to medical research and the visual arts, and to aviation.

Australian businessman Dick Smith. Photo: AAP

Indigenous entertainer: Archie Roach

Celebrated Aboriginal songwriter Archie Roach admitted he was in two minds about accepting the Queen’s birthday honours.

“How many First Nations people have received the award in the past?” he asked himself.

But the musician hoped to use it as a platform to unite Australia.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts and as an advocate for social justice

The 59-year-old said music had the power to draw people in more than someone banging their fists on a soap box.

“It’s a great catalyst for change,” Mr Roach said.
”It doesn’t change governments but it can change people.”

Musician Archie Roach. Photo: AAP

Victoria Cross: Keith Payne

A craggy former warrant officer awarded the Victoria Cross for breathtaking bravery in Vietnam, is to be awarded another gong.

Keith Payne was appointed a member of the Order of Australia in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list for his support for other veterans.

As elder statesman of Australia’s VC recipients, he has been guiding the brave young men of a later war.

The citation recognises his longtime support of veterans’ welfare, particularly as an advocate of those suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

He’s also served as a mentor to the three recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia from the Afghanistan conflict.

Mr Payne was awarded the last of four VCs from the Vietnam war for heroism during an extended battle with North Vietnamese troops in May 1969.

He is  the last living Australian recipient of the original imperial VC, awarded under the UK honours system.

Keith Payne VC displaying the Centenary of Canberra coin he minted at the Australian Mint in Canberra. Photo: AAP

Former Nationals Party MP: Kay Hull

Former Nationals whip in Federal Parliament Kay Hull was honoured for her community service.

It said a lot about Ms Hull that she helped launch Julia Gillard’s memoir last year.

The former Nationals MP for the federal seat of Riverina was appointed a member in the general division of the Order of Australia.

The 61-year-old former tow truck driver represented her NSW seat from October 1998 to July 2010.

She had a 20-year career in politics which also included eight years on Wagga Wagga City Council, where she still lives.

Kay Hull interjects during House of Representatives question time at Parliament House Canberra. Photo: AAP

Music man: John Foreman

The man behind some of the biggest events in Australian music said he owed his success to all the lessons he learnt as a kid.

John Foreman worked on the Sydney Olympics, the Logie Awards, Carols by Candlelight, Australian Idol and is the creative director for the Sydney Australia Day events, as well as musical director for the Nine Network’s Queen’s birthday Gold Telethon, which raises funds for Sydney Children’s Hospital.

He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts.

“I would have been a very different person had it not been for the wonderful musical education that I was lucky enough to receive,” Mr Forman said.

Musician John Foreman. Photo: AAP

Community advocate: Kirsty Sword Gusmao

Melbourne’s Kirsty Sword Gusmao has dedicated her inclusion on the Queen’s Birthday honours list to the courage of the East Timorese people.

Ms Sword Gusmao, the wife of East Timor prime minister Xanana Gusmao, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her work to further Australia-Timor relations and to improve education, health and living conditions in the developing nation.

She now lives in Melbourne but is continuing to work to improve the education system in East Timor.

Kirsty Sword Gusmao was recognised for her work in improving education, health and living conditions in the developing nation. Photo: AAP

Surgeon: Stephen Lynch (main photo)

Brisbane-based surgeon Stephen Lynch was recognised for pioneering life-saving liver transplant techniques.

The surgeon’s decades of pioneering service in the field of liver transplants cost his family a lot, but gave the gift of life to many families from Australia, New Zealand and other nations, he said.

His services to medicine have seen him appointed a companion in the Order of Australia in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Prof Lynch, the chairman of surgery and transplantation at Brisbane’s busy Princess Alexandra Hospital, prefered to heap praise on the medical teams that surround him.

But his role in pioneering and advancing liver transplantation surgery was undeniable.

“Without the organ donors and their families, without their courage and generosity, the miracle of transplantation would not be possible,” Prof Lynch said.

– with AAP