Cathy Freeman Receives Australia's Highest Honour

More than two decades after electrifying the Sydney Olympics with her 400-metre gold medal run, Cathy Freeman has received Australia's highest civilian honour.

The 52-year-old track legend was named a Companion of the Order of Australia for her athletic excellence and her profound impact on reconciliation and youth mentorship. Freeman called the recognition "truly humbling" and said it strengthens her determination to continue her work.

Her mother captured it perfectly: "It's a lovely gift from the Australian public."

Freeman's influence extends far beyond the track. In 2007, she founded what's now called Murrup, a foundation dedicated to helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children discover the power of education.

"We're all interested in a future that's brighter for everybody," Freeman said. She takes seriously her role as what she calls "some kind of symbol of possibility" for young Australians.

The athlete is already looking ahead to Brisbane 2032, describing the upcoming Olympics as a "wonderful opportunity" for the nation.

The Ripple Effect

Freeman was one of 680 Australians honoured this year for service to their communities. The diverse group included Maurice Kensell, an 87-year-old former naval intelligence officer who spent his retirement preserving records of Jewish marriages dating back to 1878.

Former New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally received an Officer of the Order of Australia and said the recognition made her reflect on "how many people made that career possible."

Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant was awarded a Public Service Medal for pioneering the world's first social media ban for users under 16. Since December, the measure has removed 4.7 million Australian teens from social media platforms.

In Melbourne, HoMie streetwear founders Nicholas Pearce and Marcus Crook were honoured for their social enterprise that funnels all profits into supporting young people facing homelessness. "We wanted to make caring cool for young people," Pearce explained.

These stories remind us that service takes countless forms, from athletic achievement that unites a nation to quiet work preserving history and protecting vulnerable youth.