The last surviving member of iconic pop band the Bee Gees has been honoured along with five other non-citizens who have received medals for bettering the nation.
Barry Gibb, 75, was named an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia on Thursday.
Mr Gibb and his now deceased brothers Robin and Maurice formed one of the world’s most successful and well known pop groups of all time after emigrating to Australia from the UK in 1958.
There is a statue of the three on a road named after their band in Redcliffe, Queensland, where the Bee Gees first started performing before going on to dominate the global stage.
Mr Gibb has also been recognised for his philanthropy and charity work, including his involvement in a 2009 charity concert benefiting Victorian bushfire and Queensland flood victims, where he performed with Olivia Newton-John.
He has also been credited for supporting and developing the Australian music industry and introducing it to the world.
Mr Gibb is a US citizen and the honorary award he has received is designed to honour non-citizens “where their service has benefited Australia and Australians” in “Australia’s pre-eminent means of recognising service and achievement”, Governor-General David Hurley said.
Unlike citizen appointments that are considered by the Council of the Order of Australia, honorary award recipients are recommended by the prime minister before being approved by the governor-general.
In addition to Mr Gibbs’ honorary companion award, five other non-citizens were awarded honorary medals in the Order of Australia.
Full list of recipients
Barry Gibb, USA: For eminent service to the performing arts as a musician, songwriter and record producer, to the advancement of Australian music artists, and to philanthropy.
Barry Barnes, United Kingdom: For service to commemorating the service of Australian Flying Corps in Tetbury, England, and surrounding areas, during World War One.
Gilbert Brogden, Narrabeen NSW: For service to the community, particularly through volunteering and fundraising for local and national charity organisations.
Shirley Connolly, Grasmere NSW: For service to netball, particularly in the Macarthur region of NSW.
Christine Forsyth, Laguna NSW: For service to the Wollombi Valley region, particularly through sporting, arts and community organisations.
Wayne Lindsay, Boronia Heights, Qld: For service to the Australian and New Zealand veterans community.
-AAP
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