While you were either protesting, getting drunk and listening to the Hottest 100 or just enjoying a relaxing day off on Australia Day, three of the country’s bestest musicians were receiving our highest civillian honour, the Order of Australia.
The award is extended to any Australian who has proved themselves with “distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large.” Nick Cave, Paul Kelly and Jimmy Barnes were the musicians amongst the days’ recipients.
Nick Cave, Jimmy Barnes and Paul Kelly have been granted the Order of Australia, joining a legacy of the most highly distinguished Australians of recent times.
There’s no doubt that each of these music legends are fitting recipients of the Order, but what’s really surprising is that Paul Kelly hadn’t received one already. He’s won everything else under the sun – I just kind of assumed he had this under his belt already?
Each of the three songwriters have been at the top of their game from start to finish, and together they’re a sturdy embodiment of the last generation of Aussie music, or at least what was at the forefront of it.
Congratulations to the three recipients. You were already going down in history, and this is the icing on the cake.
