Cathy Freeman Honoured as Companion of the Order of Australia
Cathy Freeman, the legendary Olympic champion, has delivered a powerful message of unity and national pride after being appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This prestigious award represents Australia's highest civilian honour and was announced as part of the 2026 Australia Day awards ceremony. Freeman becomes one of only ten distinguished Australians to receive the AC this year, placing her among an elite group recognised for their eminent service and outstanding contributions to the nation.
A Significant Moment Beyond Athletics
The honour marks a particularly meaningful milestone for the four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time world champion, whose influence has extended far beyond the athletics track since her retirement over two decades ago. Speaking candidly after the announcement, Freeman revealed that the recognition carries deep personal significance, partly because another pioneering Indigenous sporting figure had previously received the same distinction.
'This means a lot to me, knowing that [Australian tennis star] Evonne [Goolagong Cawley] has already been here before, it almost makes me feel really comfortable in it all a bit more,' Freeman explained. She emphasised how this connection to another trailblazer helped her embrace the honour with greater ease and confidence.
A Gift from the People
Freeman also shared how her mother, Cecilia Barber, played a crucial role in helping her understand the award's true meaning. Her mother reframed the honour as something bestowed by the broader Australian community rather than merely an institutional recognition.
'It's a lovely honour and Mum was like: 'It's a gift from the Australian people Catherine',' Freeman recalled. This perspective transformed her understanding of the award, viewing it as a communal gesture of appreciation rather than a formal institutional accolade.
Maintaining an Apolitical Stance
Despite the inevitable intersections between her celebrated career, Indigenous identity, and national conversations about reconciliation and Australia Day, Freeman stressed that she has deliberately remained separate from political debate throughout her life.
'I am very apolitical, I have always been about just being true to who I am and I am proud of who I am and the community I belong to,' she stated firmly. 'I'm proud to be Australian, it just gives you energy, feeds positive energy.'
Her comments reflect a consistent stance she has maintained since her iconic victory in the 400 metres at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, when she famously carried both the Australian and Aboriginal flags during her victory lap. Freeman emphasised that her focus has always centred on collective progress rather than division.
'I'm a person who is only ever interested in being creative together and moving forward together,' she affirmed. 'We are a multicultural society and obviously I am a very proud Indigenous woman.'
Recognition for Athletic and Advocacy Work
The Companion of the Order of Australia award acknowledges both Freeman's extraordinary athletic achievements and her substantial long-term commitment to education and youth advocacy. In 2007, four years after retiring from competitive sport, she established the Cathy Freeman Foundation, now known as Murrup, which focuses on improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Freeman described how the recognition energises her and reinforces her pride in being Australian, viewing it as fuel for continued positive contribution to society.
The 2026 Australia Day Honours Context
The 2026 Australia Day Honours List recognised 680 Australians in the General Division of the Order of Australia. The breakdown of honours includes:
- 10 appointed as Companions of the Order (AC)
- 38 appointed as Officers (AO)
- 160 appointed as Members (AM)
- 472 receiving Medals (OAM)
Freeman joins other prominent AC recipients this year, including:
- Former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
- Former federal finance minister Mathias Cormann, now OECD secretary-general
- Quantum physicist Michelle Simmons
- Immunologist Anne Kelso
- Cancer epidemiologist Bruce Armstrong
- Geologist Peter Cook
- Philanthropist Paula Fox
- Chief Justices Andrew Bell and Chris Kourakis
This diverse group of honourees represents excellence across politics, science, law, philanthropy, and sport, with Freeman's inclusion highlighting the significant role sporting figures can play in national unity and social progress.
