Australia Day 2026 AICD member recipients

The Australian Institute of Company Directors congratulates members who appeared on the Australia Day Honours list this year. The awards were announced in January by the Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC. 

Dozens of AICD members were awarded in this year’s list, which recognises and celebrates 949 Australians.

The Governor-General said at a ceremony to announce the awards: “The qualities and accomplishments of this year’s honourees reflect Australia’s values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity, and care.”

Notable amongst AICD recipients were Bruce Cowley AM FAICD, (Queensland), who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to business, to the law, and to tertiary education. Cowley, author of the AICD publication “Directorship in Context”, and co-author of the book entitled “Duties of Board and Committee Members”, has in recent years been co-host of the Essential Director Update.

The former chair of Minter Ellison serves as Chair of the Queensland Trust for Nature and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Australian Retirement Trust, as director of the South Bank Corporation and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.