The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO has enjoyed a rich and distinguished career as an academic, lawyer, politician, and community and human rights advocate. She served as the 25th Governor-General of Australia from 2008 to 2014. She was the first woman to hold the position, after serving as the 25th Governor of Queensland from 2003 to 2008. Her contribution to advancing human rights and equality, the rights of women and children, and the welfare of the family was recognised in her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2003. Also in 2003, she was invested as a Dame of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. On 25 March 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Ms Bryce had become a Dame in the Order of Australia.
Ms Buttrose has had a stellar career in the media landscape within Australia, achieving many firsts during her long and successful career and service to the Australian community.
She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1979 and became an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1988. In 2003, she was awarded the Centenary Medal and in January 2013 she was named Australian of the year. In 2019, she becomes a Companion of the Order (AC) for her service to the community through leadership in the media, the arts, the health sector and as a role model.
In addition to her professional career, Ms Buttrose has played a vital role in raising public awareness of a range of social and health issues. She was Chairperson for the National Advisory Committee on AIDS from 1984 until 1988 and was the National President for Alzheimer’s Australia from 2011-2014.
Widely regarded as a trailblazer for women in the media, she was appointed to the Chair of the ABC in February 2019, becoming the second woman to hold this role since its founding in 1932.
Her tireless support for improving outcomes for those impacted by dementia comes from her firsthand experience with her father having dementia, and her deep desire to ensure that no one has to walk the journey alone.
