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More than 82 Defence personnel have been recognised in the 2026 Australia Day honours list for their contributions across the land, maritime, air and cyber domains.
Personnel were recognised for their efforts in shaping emerging capabilities, leading teams on operations at home and overseas, and delivering critical technical and specialist expertise across the Australian Defence Force.
This year’s honours include 11 appointments as members in the military division of the Order of Australia and 12 medals in the military division of the Order of Australia, as well as distinguished and conspicuous service decorations.
In addition, the first Australian to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s space program, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, was recognised as the 2026 Australian of the Year.
Bennell-Pegg has previously acted as a group captain in the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve, serving as a specialist capability officer. She previously served as an Army Reserve officer, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 2008.
“Every year, on the eve of our national day, we honour the people who represent our national values. The hard work and aspiration that have built our prosperity. The courage and resilience that carry us through adversity. The creativity and genius that have changed our country and our wider world for the better. And the kindness, service and sense of community that bind us together as Australians. These are the values that draw together our nominees for 2026, just as they defined the class of 2025,” said Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, speaking at the Australian of the Year Awards Ceremony on 25 January.
“On Australia Day, we reflect on how lucky we are to live in the best country on earth. Yet this nation we cherish, and all that we have achieved together, is not the product of luck.
“Our democracy, our prosperity, our commitment to fairness and opportunity have been built, enriched, defended and strengthened over generations.
“By people of every background and tradition, people united by their love of this country, their optimism for their future and their determination to shape it.
“125 years ago, our Commonwealth was born in that spirit of national unity, in the understanding we are stronger together.
“All of us belong to that story – together, we will write the next chapter in it. And when we consider the uplifting example of the nominees here tonight. We have every reason to be optimistic about Australia’s future.”
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Navy: Commodore Stephen Dalton RAN; Commodore Nathan Robb RAN; Rear Admiral Brett Sonter RAN
Army: Colonel Mark Coyle; Brigadier Nathan Juchniewicz DSC and Bar CSC; Brigadier M
Air Force: Air Commodore Maria Brick; Group Captain Aleisha Broadhead; Squadron Leader Andrew Harris; Wing Commander Nadia Harrison CSM
MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Navy: Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins CSM; Commander Nicholas Doyle RAN; Commander Wesley North RAN; Petty Officer Kerryn Seaborn; Chief Petty Officer Erol Williams
Army: Warrant Officer Class Two K; Warrant Officer Class One Kimberly Kiely; Warrant Officer Class One Michael Killalea; Warrant Officer Class One Anthony Luchterhand
Air Force: Flight Lieutenant Christopher Rhone; Wing Commander Estevan Samanes; Air Commodore Brett Williams CSM
COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE (CDS)
Army: Sergeant Ashlee Liversedge; Ms Sarah Nixon
BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC and Bar)
Army: Colonel Gerard Kearns CSC
Air Force: Group Captain Anthony Kay CSC; Air Commodore Kaarin Kooij CSC
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)
Navy: Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Bonehill RAN; Captain Aaron Cox RAN; Commander Stefanie Curic RAN; Lieutenant Commander Caitlin Fuller RAN; Lieutenant Commander Jay Pettifer CSM RAN; Chief Petty Officer Bradley Smith
Army: Sergeant Kirsti Claymore; Lieutenant Colonel Sven Harris; Corporal Geoffrey Izod; Brigadier Caitlin Langford; Colonel Scottie Morris; Lieutenant Colonel Tegan Musumeci; Sergeant Rick Scott; Colonel Lauren Wright
Air Force: Group Captain Phillip Godfrey; Wing Commander Shannon McGuckin; Flight Sergeant Gary Neidert; Group Captain Lucas Ricciardi
BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM and Bar)
Navy: Lieutenant Commander Justin Downey-Price CSM RAN; Warrant Officer Lyndon Quirke CSM
Army: Major Justin Cross CSM
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL
Navy: Petty Officer Jack Bellingham; Lieutenant Commander Gemma Casserly RAN; Commander Joshua Clifford RAN; Lieutenant Commander Daniel Dowell RAN; Chief Petty Officer Gavin Downes; Captain Benjamin Hurst RAN; Chief Petty Officer Adam Moxham; Leading Seaman Jack Schulze; Lieutenant Commander Scott Shipton OAM RAN; Lieutenant Perri Trew RAN; Chief Petty Officer Tara-Ann Wilson
Army: Major P; Signaller Bailey Campbell; Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Dent; Lieutenant Colonel Julian Fleming; Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Kukas; Colonel Andrew Moss; Warrant Officer Class One William Renwick; Colonel Scott Revell; Warrant Officer Class Two Corey Rocca; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Squire; Major Joshua Vogel; Warrant Officer Class One Nigel Ward; Lieutenant Colonel Shandelle Welbourn
Air Force: Flight Lieutenant I; Flight Sergeant Anthony Ahchow; Warrant Officer Geoffrey Bird; Flying Officer Chad Bowes; Warrant Officer Kerrie-Anne Hammond; Sergeant Gavin Jefferis; Wing Commander Grant Leader; Flight Lieutenant Scott McNichol; Warrant Officer Ivan Petrovic; Flight Lieutenant Thomas Rogers
