Thirteen Olympic gold medallists and 24 Paralympic gold medallists were among 683 recipients of the awards approved by the Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, Quentin Bryce.

"I want to give my strong support to the awards made through the Australian Honours System," said Bryce.

"They elevate the concept of giving to others.

"They heighten our respect for one another, and they encourage Australians to think about the responsibilities of citizenship in our democracy.

"Awards in the Australian honours system represent the highest level of recognition accorded by our nation for outstanding achievement and service.

"The Honours announced today recognise community values and celebrate what is important and unifying in Australian life."

The women's 4x100m relay team all received an OAM after winning Australia's only gold in the pool at the 2012 Olympic Games ©Getty Images



Alicia Coutts, alongside her fellow 4x100 metres relay gold medallists Cate Campbell, Brittany Elmslie and Yolane Kukla, were amongst those receiving the honour after winning Australia's only gold medal in the pool at the London Olympic Games.

They were joined by fellow Olympians Sally Pearson, who won gold in the 100m hurdles; sailors Tom Slingsby, Mathew Belcher, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen, who won three gold medals between them at the Games – just shy of half Australia's total gold haul; and the men's K4 Kayaking team of Jacob Clear, David Smith, Tate Smith and Murray Stewart.

Five-time Paralympian Liesl Tesch was recognised for more than her sporting abilities as she was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for both her Paralympic success and "promotion and facilitation of sport for people with disabilities".

Tesch has won four medals for Australia at the Paralympic Games including two silver at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 and a bronze at Beijing 2008 for the wheelchair basketball team, and a gold medal at London 2012 after switching to sailing.

She is also the co-founder of Sports Matters, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes disabled sport in developing countries.

Her partner at the London Games, Daniel Fitzgibbon, was awarded an OAM.

Liesl Tesch earned the honour of Member of the Order of Australia for her actions both at the Paralympics and in the disabled community as a whole ©Getty Images



Jacqueline Freney, who became Australia's most decorated athlete at a single Games when she won eight gold medals in London, was also amongs the 24 Paralympians to receive an OAM.

She was joined by swimmer Ellie Cole, who won four gold medals and two bronze at the Games; Nazin Erdem, who led the Australian wheelchair rugby team to its first ever Paralympic gold medal; and Maddison Elliot, who, at the age of 13, became Australia's youngest ever Paralympic gold medallist.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2014: Paralympic swimmer Jacqueline Freney named Young Australian of the Year
April 2012: Australia's Liesl Tesch to make Paralympic sailing debut at London 2012