Midnight OilIn what was closure for Rob Hirst’s family, fans and the Australian music industry, the Midnight Oil drummer, songwriter and activist was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the January 26 Australia Day Honours list.
He became the second in the band to get one, after Peter Garrett received his AM honour in 2003.
Hirst died at 70, six days before, after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Responding to the AM, his wife Lesley Holland and daughters, Lexi, Gabriella, and Jay released a statement: “Our beloved father and husband receiving this honour feels particularly poignant this week.
“Rob was a ferocious talent, and we’re so proud of the impact of his songwriting, music and advocacy.
“The outpouring of love this past few days has kept us afloat in this turbulent moment – we know so many are grieving alongside us.
“Rob loved this Great South Land, and dreamt of a day when we could heal through Makarrata and get on with the urgent work of caring for Country together. The time has come.”
The 949 Australians recognised include a number of other members of the local music and media industry who were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), including the following individuals.
Eliza Hull
It’s been an interesting fortnight for singer-songwriter Eliza Hull. This month, she was also one of the 61 writers and composers announced as finalists of the 2026 APRA Professional Development Awards.
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Her music has been synced on international and Australian TV shows such as Awkward, Teen Wolf, Saving Hope, The Heights and And Then Something Changed.
The single Running Underwater was about living with a disability, specifically Charcot-Marie-Tooth. She is an advocate for the rights of musicians with disabilities. She spoke at SXSW Sydney, BIGSOUND, and the Women in Music Awards, as well as the ABC Victoria’s Disability Arts Reporter on David Astle’s Evenings.
David Heard
Passing away in September 2021, David Heard was a long-time presenter on Melbourne community radio station 3PBS. His Acid Country program ran for 40 years.
Heard, renowned for supporting alt-country and roots musicians, also served as a board member, programming committee member and outside broadcast committee member at PBS.
Rodney Walker
Based in Tamworth, Rodney Walker played an essential role in the rise of Australian country music. Emerging in the late ‘60s, he played in the bands Country Gold, Shroud and Country Shade, and also served as President of local music organisations.
Now retired, he serves as a multi-instrumentalist busker and clown, who makes his own eccentric music instruments, and is a familiar figure on the Country Music Festival Cavalcade.
Russ Walkington
Serving 70 years as a radio broadcaster in 2023, Russ Walkington started his career in Sydney, before moving to Queensland, where he enjoyed long stints at 4BH Brisbane, 4AY and 4CRB 89.3 Gold Coast.
Sandra Chipchase
Honoured “for significant service to the major event and tourism industry,” Sandra Chipchase had close ties with the music industry as Executive Producer of the Vivid Sydney festival and Chief Executive of the NSW Government’s tourism and events agency Destination NSW for eight years.
Frances Kendall
Best known for teaching guitar and performance at Victoria University and directing stage productions, Frances Kendall also taught music and arts at Box Hill TAFE and the Victorian College of the Arts.
