Ian James, Fifa Riccobono, Frank Stivala and Peter Rix are among the Australian music industry professionals recognized in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, published Monday (June 10).
There’s an Order of Australia medal for James, who served as Mushroom Music managing director from 1986 to 2018 and is chairman of the AMCOS board. James is honored for his “service to music publishing and rights.” James’ longtime Mushroom Group colleague Stivala, managing director of Premier Artists, also earns an AOM for service to the music industry.
Also feted is Riccobono, the pioneering record executive who led Albert Music, becoming the first female CEO in Australian music business history. Riccobono, who was the recipient of the prestigious Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music in 2015, becomes a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for significant service to the music industry.”
Meanwhile, veteran artist manager and ARIA Music Awards founder Peter Rix is lauded for “significant service to the music and events industries, and to philanthropy” and was awarded an AM.
Guy Sebastian, the pop singer who has gone on to enjoy a multi-platinum, award-winning recording career since taking out the inaugural Australian Idol back in 2003, receives an AM for significant service to the music recording industry, and to charitable initiatives, and Darren Hayes, the solo artist who twice led the Billboard Hot 100 with Savage Garden, receives an OAM “for service to music as a songwriter and performer.”
One of the top prizes goes to Hugh Jackman, the Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe and Tony-winning actor, singer and dance, who was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
A huge congratulations to music industry figures Fifa Riccobono and Peter Rix on becoming Members of the Order of Australia (AM), and to Ian James and Frank Stivala on receiving Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. pic.twitter.com/v7YJ4gRdBE
— ARIA (@ARIA_Official) June 10, 2019
Congratulations to the @RealHughJackman on his AC, @GuySebastian on his AM, and @darrenhayes and @DavidCampbell73 on their OAMs in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List. pic.twitter.com/AH121EeuMd
— ARIA (@ARIA_Official) June 10, 2019
The Greatest Showman star was feted for “eminent service” to the performing arts as an acclaimed actor and performer, and to the global community, “particularly as an advocate for poverty eradication.”
The awards—a system established by Queen Elizabeth II of England and the commonwealth states, which include Australia, in recognition of special achievements by the country’s citizens—usually coincide with Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday. This year, more than 1,000 Australians were honored for their outstanding achievements.
See the full list here.