“Honours” in Australia are bestowed by a group of poobahs on a fellow poobah. Most of us have never heard of most of the characters awarded gongs for their “services” to the rest of us: services most of us also don’t know about. The dropping of British honours for ‘distinctly’ Australian ones did absolutely nothing to amend the nonsense.

Apart from a very, very few volunteers, most recipients of awards in Australia come by these awards merely for doing their jobs – jobs for which they are very well paid.

As for state funerals. Now, there is a real joke. Take a look at how few state funerals the land of pomp, Britain, has compared with Australia where we have them for run of the mill politicians, racing car drivers and naturalists.

The idea of any form of recognition for people who are merely doing what they wanted to do, or had to do, is ridiculous

Leigh, "group of poobahs on fellow poobahs".

You've made my day. It's always a joy to read your stuff. Many thanks.

Maximus,

I aim to please. It's good to know that not everyone hates me!

1 out of thousands, wow, I'm in awe.

Whilst I whole heartedly agree that state funerals, (along with the ubiquitous tickertape parade for anyone cabable of providing the masses with a little sporting opium), seem to be handed out to those that are a little less than deserving. Anyone crusading against the army of Australian developer bulldozers that are destroying the natural beauty of this country, with a view to preserving some natural habitat, is more than deserving some recognition.