Order of Australia - Knights and Dames

Knights and Dames

The category of Knight (AK) or Dame (AD) of the Order was created by Letters Patent issued by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 24 May 1976 on advice from the Fraser Liberal-National government and was discontinued by her on 3 March 1986 on controversial advice from the Hawke Labor government. (The Australian Labor Party does not support the awarding of titles.). Existing knights and dames were not affected by the removal of the category from the Letters Patent.

During this period, twelve knights and two dames were created, of whom ten of the knights and both of the dames are now deceased.

The following is a complete list of the knights and dames of the Order of Australia, shown in order of appointment. Living knights are shown in bold:

Name Known for Date of appointment Date of death
Sir John Kerr Governor-General 1974-77 24 May 1976 24 March 1991
Sir Robert Menzies Prime Minister 1939-41, 1949-66 7 June 1976 15 May 1978
Sir Colin Syme Industrialist 6 June 1977 19 January 1986
Sir Zelman Cowen Governor-General 1977-82 8 December 1977 8 December 2011
Sir MacFarlane Burnet Immunologist, Nobel laureate 26 January 1978 31 August 1985
Dame Alexandra Hasluck Historian 6 June 1978 18 June 1993
Dame Enid Lyons Politician 26 January 1980 2 September 1981
HRH The Prince of Wales Royalty, Heir apparent 14 March 1981 living (age 64)
Sir Roden Cutler Soldier, Governor of New South Wales 1966-81 7 April 1981 22 February 2002
Sir Garfield Barwick Chief Justice of Australia 1964-81 8 June 1981 14 July 1997
Sir Charles Court Premier of Western Australia 1974-82 14 June 1982 22 December 2007
Sir Ninian Stephen High Court Judge, Governor-General 1982-89 29 July 1982 living (age 89)
Sir Roy Wright Physiologist 26 January 1983 28 February 1990
Sir Gordon Jackson Industrialist 13 June 1983 1 June 1991

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Famous quotes containing the words knights and/or dames:

    The threadbare trees, so poor and thin,
    They are no wealthier than I;
    But with as brave a core within
    They rear their boughs to the October sky.
    Poor knights they are which bravely wait
    The charge of Winter’s cavalry,
    Keeping a simple Roman state,
    Discumbered of their Persian luxury.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    These o protect from step Dames injury.
    And if chance to thine eyes shall bring this verse,
    With some sad sighs honour my absent Herse;
    And kiss this paper for thy loves dear sake,
    Who with salt tears this last Farewel did take.
    Anne Bradstreet (c. 1612–1672)