Everyday Aussies among celebrities Layne Beachley, Jessica Rowe on Australia Day Honours List

Surfer and mentor Layne Beachley and television presenter Jessica Rowe are among 824 people have been recognised in the Australia Day Honours list.

All from different fields, what defines those on the list is their extraordinary work in their communities.

While Layne Beachley first made her mark in surfing, it’s her mentoring of women that has helped her become an Officer of the Order of Australia.

“I’ve spent my whole life doing what I love and being driven to make a positive difference,” Beachley said.

“Develop a passion, embrace your passion and then it will work for you.”

Professor Jeremy Chapman received the highest honour for his work on organ donation saying it’s the smile on the face of his patients that makes it all count.

And Jessica Rowe will now put an AM after her name after being named a Member of the Order of Australia for her work advocating for sufferers of post-natal depression.

“I feel very strongly about the work that I’ve done with post-natal depression support organisations to reach out to women to say ‘you are not alone in this’,” Ms Rowe said.

Everyday Australians were also awarded, like Barbara Mitchell from Emu Plains who is making a difference to children in Bangladesh.

See the full list of recipients here.