Chris Murphy, Milly Petriella, John Foreman & More Awarded Australia Day Honours

Former INXS manager Chris “CM” Murphy, music industry heavy hitter Milly Petriella and musical director and composer John Foreman are amongst the picks awarded Order of Australia (OAM) medals on 26 January.

Murphy was posthumously honoured at the ceremony. He passed away in January 2021 after struggling with cancer.

Murphy managed INXS from the early days through their global domination from 1979 to 1995 and started working with the band again in the late 2000s. He also managed fellow Australian new wave breakout act Models for a short period in the mid-'80s. And before his passing, he worked closely with the Byron Bay country group The Buckleys.

In addition to his work as a band manager, Murphy was an entrepreneur, founding the labels rooArt and Petrol Records. RooArt went on to be home to influential local acts, such as You Am I, Screaming Jets, Ratcat, Wendy Matthews, and Custard. In 2014, he founded another company, Murphy Rights Management. He received the OAM for “distinguished and conspicuous service”.

Meanwhile, Petriella received her OAM on Australia Day for her “service to music and the performing arts”. After working as the Director for Member Relations and Partnerships at APRA AMCOS from 1995 until two years ago, Petriella joined Milk & Honey and is the company’s Managing Director in Australia and New Zealand.

Petriella also notably founded the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, which has gone on to raise more than $2 million for Nordoff-Robbins since its inception in 2009 and assisted in the career growth of artists. The 2022 winners were King Stingray, with runners-up Budjerah and co-writer (and impressive artist herself) Ainslie Wills and Charley, all taking home a monetary prize.

In her career, Petriella also created the SongHubs songwriting camps. In the 11 years since its establishment, SongHubs has hosted 90 get-togethers.

Responding to receiving the Order of Australia medal, Petriella wrote on Instagram, “Thank you for all your beautiful messages. I chose not to share yesterday out of respect for our First Nations colleagues and friends, but I wanted to say how privileged I have been to work with such amazing songwriters, producers, artists and industry peers for over 30 years.” She added that she’s “truly honoured and humbled”.

John Foreman received the OAM for “distinguished and conspicuous service”, too. After co-writing and co-producing the likes of Tina Arena’s Chains, Anthony Callea’s The Prayer, and significant works on Australian television, it’s a wonder he didn’t receive the Order of Australia already.

Also receiving an OAM this year for “service to the performing arts and to the music industry” is Dennis Burgess, Chairman of the Australian Songwriters Association and Managing Director of A Red Letter Day, Burgess Bookings, Regal Records and more. ARIA Award winner for The Boy From Oz (2000) and musical director and composer for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Max Lambert, takes home an AM.

Go here to find out who else is on the Australia Day Honours List.