Olivia made an OBE for service to arts
Olivia Newton-John, the English-born singer who grew up in Australia, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the performing arts.
Miss Newton-John, now a resident of Los Angeles, has achieved international recognition as a singer and actress.
She visited Australia last month as part of a world tour following her success in the rock film Grease.
Among the other entertainers honoured were Jill Perryman and Hayes Gordon. Miss. Perryman, of Gooseber ry Hill in Western Australia, becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the performing arts. The founder of the Ensemble Theatre. Mr Gordon, of St Ives, Is created an OBE for services to the theatre. He is known as a producer, director, actor and singer.
Mrs Edna Sirius Roper, a member of the NSW Legislative Council for 20 years, has been made an OBE for parlia-mentary and trade-union service. Mrs Roper, of Randwick, has twice been president of the Federal Labor Womens Committee.
For services to local government, health and the commu-nity. Dr Ella Stack, the Mayor of Darwin, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Another award for local government, an OBE. has gone to Leon Parmeter Carter, the Town Clerk of Sydney and a former president of the Austra lian Institute of Municipal Administration. Mr Carter, of North Sydney, has been town clerk since 1974.
Gregory Stephen Chappell, of Kenmore, Queensland, is made an MBE for his contribution to cricket. A former Australian Test captain, he is at present playing with World Series Cricket.
Tracey Lee Wickham, at 16, is one of the youngest Australians to become an MBE. Miss Wickham, of Kedron. Queens-land, holds the world records for the 400, 800 and 1.500 metre freestyle swimming events. Her award is for services to swimming.
Other sporting MBs are Alexander lan Mackie, of Bexlev North, who has been deputy president of the NSW Rugby League since 1976. and Mrs. Lorna Pauline Thomas of Leichhardt. for service 10 women’s cricket.
The prominent radio journalist Vincent Ross Smith of Balgowlah has been made an MBE. Mr Smith, who is with 2UE, has recently had published a book on the conservation of whales.
Victor John Bahr, the former regional director of the NSW Bureau of Meteorology, Department of Science, becomes a Companion of the Imperial Service Orders (ISO).