Restaurant founder Saba Abraham, domestic violence victim advocates Sue and Lloyd Clarke, and Olympian Alexa Leary are among those being honoured this year. (ABC News: Pete Mullins)
More than 70 Queenslanders have been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day honours for their contributions to the nation.
With achievements ranging from sporting victories to public advocacy, here are the remarkable stories from some of those honoured this year.
Community trailblazerÂ
Restaurant founder Saba Abraham has received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to African communities in Australia.
Saba Abraham's passion for women's rights inspired her to open an Eritrean restaurant. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)
Mrs Abraham was born in Eritrea, where she became a freedom fighter in the country's war for independence against Ethiopia at just 14-years-old.
After years of fighting, she moved to Australia as a refugee in 1992.
"What I found Australia was, was what I was I dreaming for my country to be," Mrs Abraham said.
"A democratic country with human rights respected … everybody has the freedom to be.
"I feel connected, this is my place."
Ms Abraham (right) migrated to Australia in 1992. (ABC News: Sarah Richards)
Mrs Abraham's passion for women's rights inspired her to open Mu'ooz — an Eritrean restaurant in Brisbane's West End, which employs refugee and migrant women.
"We train them on the job, the language, the skill, the culture of Australia, and of course, we connect them with society," Mrs Abraham said.
"It is more than a restaurant to be honest — we do a lot, including helping them to heal from the past torture and trauma they have been through."
Mu'ooz is an Eritrean restaurant in Brisbane that employs refugee and migrant women. (Supplied)
Over the last three decades, Mrs Abraham has also helped create dozens of multicultural initiatives, including the Queensland Eritrean Community Association, the Australian African Women's Association and the Queensland African Communities Council.
She said she felt "humbled" to receive an OAM for her work with vulnerable people.
"To be honest, I cried when they called and told me … I don't know what other words to use but yes, it's an honour," she said.
DV victim advocacy
Sue and Lloyd Clarke have received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for their service to domestic violence support and welfare.
Sue and Lloyd Clarke lost their daughter Hannah in a domestic violence incident. (ABC News: Michael Lloyd)
The Clarkes set up the foundation Small Steps 4 Hannah after their daughter Hannah and three grandchildren — Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey — were murdered in 2020.
Mr Clarke said the inspiration for the foundation came when they heard the term coercive control for the first time.
"We thought we need to educate and start talking about it, and it just snowballed from there," he said.
Hannah Clarke and her three children are being remembered through her parents' advocacy. (Supplied: Facebook)
The couple worked with the Queensland government to establish the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce, which reviewed the experiences of women across the justice system.
In 2024, Hannah's Law was passed, making coercive control a criminal offence.
The Clarkes were "surprised" and "honoured" to be given an OAM.
"We don't think we've done anything extraordinary, we've just started a conversation," Mrs Clarke said.
She said Hannah's presence drives the couple to continue advocating for domestic violence victims.
"It's for her and I feel she's there making sure we get it right," she said.
Revered swim coach
Queensland Swimming coach Laurie Lawrence has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the general division for his distinguished service to water safety and swimming.
Laurie Lawrence is famous for his work coaching swimming and advocating for water safety as the found of 'Kids Alive — Do The Five'. (AAP: Lukas Coch)
Mr Lawrence kicked off his career as an Australian Rugby Union representative in 1964, before founding the Laurie Lawrence Swim School two years later.
The water guru has coached Australian teams in three Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games.
The Laurie Lawrence Swim School and the Worldwide Swim School still operate in Logan and Brisbane, where they focus on educating children, parents and industry partners on safe water practices.
Indigenous leader
For her significant service to Indigenous business and media sectors, Leesa Watego has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Leesa Watego helps local Indigenous business owners build industry networks. (Supplied)
The academic has been part of numerous organisations and committees, including the South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and the Queensland government's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Group.
She is currently national coordinator for the Black Coffee Indigenous Business Network, which helps local Indigenous business owners build industry connections.
Healthcare pioneer
Medical practitioner and academic John Fraser has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to medicine and global critical care.
Brisbane-based Professor John Fraser is the founder and director of the Critical Care Research Group. (Australian Story: Anthony Sines)
Professor Fraser is the founder and director of the Critical Care Research Group, which aims to improve the outcomes of ill patients through clinically-driven research.
The award-winning doctor has published over 650 peer-reviewed journal articles and has professorships in medicine, anaesthesia, critical care and engineering.
He is also a fellow across six medical institutions.
Soccer superstar
Former Matildas player Clare Polkinghorne has been given a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to football.
Clare Polkinghorne played 167 matches for the Matildas. (AAP Image: Dave Hunt)
The decorated sportswoman has played 167 matches and scored 16 goals throughout her 18-year career.
She became Australia's most capped footballer in February 2023 and has participated in five FIFA Women's World Cup competitions and three Olympic Games.
The Brisbane local has retired from international football and played her last match with the Matildas in Melbourne in 2024.
Golden athletes
Many Queensland Olympians and Paralympians were honoured with an OAM for their gold medal wins at the 2024 Paris event.
Alexa Leary broke the women's 100m freestyle world record twice on her way to winning gold in Paris. (Reuters: Andrew Couldridge)
Shayna Jack, Alexa Leary, Cam McEvoy, Lani Pallister, Jamie Perkins, Keira Stephens, Emily Beecroft and Callum Simpson all received OAMs for their achievements in various swimming events.
Saya Sakakibara, Korey Boddington, and Arisa Trew — who is this year's youngest recipient at just 14-years-old — were also recognised with OAMs for their contributions to sport.
Skateboarder Arisa Trew won gold in the women's park final in Paris. (Reuters: Pilar Olivares)
