Primary Industry Leaders Celebrated in 2026 Australia Day Awards
Notable figures from Australia’s agricultural and rural sectors honoured for their contributions to primary industry and community leadership
Several distinguished Australians from the primary production and agricultural sectors were recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Awards announced on January 26, highlighting outstanding service to farming industries, environmental stewardship and rural communities.
The honours include appointments in the Order of Australia that reflect the depth and diversity of contributions across cattle, grain, wool and broader agricultural pursuits.
Among the recipients of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division recognised for significant service to primary industry and related fields were the late Leith Boully, remembered for her leadership in water governance, environmental management and rural sustainability, and Geoffrey Ashton-Jones, whose career spanned service to the environment, primary industry and community.
Also honoured with an AM was Graham Spencer-Laitt, founder of a major agribusiness, acknowledged for his philanthropic contributions to Western Australia’s rural communities.
Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) were awarded to key industry figures including grain grower Rodney Birch of Western Australia for his contributions to the grains sector through leadership roles with industry bodies such as Pulse WA and Grain Growers.
Former Australian Agricultural Company managing director John Griffith was recognised for his service to primary industry, particularly in developing livestock marketing technologies and integrated production systems.
Agricultural consultant and wool industry leader Graham Peart was honoured for his service to the wool sector, including roles in industry research and advisory committees.
The awards also acknowledged Kathleen Lovelock, a long-standing leader in the cattle breeding community in Western Australia, for her service to the beef cattle industry, including her tenure leading breed associations and mentoring young judges.
Collectively, these honours underscore the vital role that primary industry leaders play in driving innovation, sustainability and economic resilience across rural Australia, celebrating a cohort whose careers embody dedication to both sectoral advancement and community wellbeing.
The honours include appointments in the Order of Australia that reflect the depth and diversity of contributions across cattle, grain, wool and broader agricultural pursuits.
Among the recipients of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division recognised for significant service to primary industry and related fields were the late Leith Boully, remembered for her leadership in water governance, environmental management and rural sustainability, and Geoffrey Ashton-Jones, whose career spanned service to the environment, primary industry and community.
Also honoured with an AM was Graham Spencer-Laitt, founder of a major agribusiness, acknowledged for his philanthropic contributions to Western Australia’s rural communities.
Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) were awarded to key industry figures including grain grower Rodney Birch of Western Australia for his contributions to the grains sector through leadership roles with industry bodies such as Pulse WA and Grain Growers.
Former Australian Agricultural Company managing director John Griffith was recognised for his service to primary industry, particularly in developing livestock marketing technologies and integrated production systems.
Agricultural consultant and wool industry leader Graham Peart was honoured for his service to the wool sector, including roles in industry research and advisory committees.
The awards also acknowledged Kathleen Lovelock, a long-standing leader in the cattle breeding community in Western Australia, for her service to the beef cattle industry, including her tenure leading breed associations and mentoring young judges.
Collectively, these honours underscore the vital role that primary industry leaders play in driving innovation, sustainability and economic resilience across rural Australia, celebrating a cohort whose careers embody dedication to both sectoral advancement and community wellbeing.
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