Governor General David Hurley inspects the Royal Guard during the Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Lake Burley Griffin on January 26, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. (Getty)
A number of Australians have also been recognised for their services to healthcare, education and the emergency services during 2020, a year, of course, marked by the coronavirus pandemic and bushfire devastation.
Governor-General David Hurley said the honours helped celebrate the contributions of people from every part of the community. On behalf of all Australians, I congratulate everyone recognised in the Australia Day Honours list, Mr Hurley said. The individuals we celebrate today come from all parts of our great nation and have served the community in almost every way conceivable.
Just five people were arrested following the conclusion to a peaceful Invasion Day protest in Sydney.
NSW Police Minister David Elliott said officers were pleased with the outcome.
Invasion Day protests in Sydney.(9News) We were happy, when you consider in previous years we ve had up to 15,000 people turn up to these rallies in Sydney alone, Mr Elliott told Today. The 3000 crowd dispersed into groups of 500 by negotiation with the police. In return, they didn t march, which was a great outcome. They complied with the request from police in that regard.
Thousands gathered in the Domain to listen to speeches from First Nations people, with people seated socially distanced.