Twelve music, radio identities in Aus Day Honours List

Jimmy Barnes, Nick Cave, Paul Kelly, jazz fusion composer Allan Zavod and live music pioneer Eric Robinson were among those from the music industry who made it onto yesterday’s Australia Day Honours List.

Barnes, Cave and Kelly were among the 72 who were made Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) for notable services to the performing arts and their charity work.

Barnes dedicated his award to “those who have worked so hard and sweated with me at all the shows that I have done over the last forty odd years. That means not only my fellow musicians and road crews, but also the public who have come along to share and celebrate live Australian music with me.”

He revered and thanked Australia as the country that helped him build his career. “I came to this country as a young Scottish immigrant with dreams and hopes. This country and the people who live here have allowed and helped me to realise those dreams. Thanks to everyone who I have met along that road.

“There are new children arriving and trying to reach our lucky country every day and I hope that we can all work together to help them find their dream too.”

Neither Cave nor Kelly alluded to their honour in their respective Facebook pages.

Anthony Warlow, singer, actor and entertainer received a gong for his contributions to opera and musical theatre.

Adelaide based Swan had his phone turned off and wasn’t aware of his win of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) until he received a text from Barnes. Singing with his own bands behind hits as Lady What’s Your Name and If I Were A Carpenter, as well as The Party Boys, Scottish-born Swan was also recognised for his considerable charity work for the homeless, disadvantaged youth and people battling addiction.

Among the other 482 who received OAMs were:

The late Eric Robinson, a pioneer of stadium live production in this country, ran the audio and lighting firm Jands in the early ‘70s. It supplied gear for major concerts and events and kept up with overseas technological advances. Robinson died from cancer in November 2015.

The late jazz pianist and composer Allan Zavod was discovered by US jazz icon Duke Ellington during a visit to Melbourne in 1969 and arranged for him to become a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Zavod went on to an eminent international career which jumped styles. He died in November 2016 from brain cancer aged 71.

Stephanie Camplin set up Bathurst Broadcasters in 1969 with her husband Ron (who got an OAM in 1995) and ran 2BS and B-Rock.

Bill Bunbury worked as a broadcaster and producer for the ABC in Perth, and was also an accomplished historian and writer.

Alexander Hehr is the Station Manager of Melbourne community radio station Golden Days Radio targeting the senior community.

Jill Page, a trained classical singer and theatre reviewer, was also a music administrator. She served as a music adviser for the Victorian Education Dept and several Melbourne councils to help with their music policies, and was Chair of Arts Springvale for five years.

Harpist Julie Raines was accredited to creating a bridge between classical and rock with her solo records and numerous appearances on soundtrack albums.