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Rowing Australia‘s patron Gina Rinehart was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). Rinehart is a mining magnate and Australia’s richest person. She is the Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting, a privately-owned mineral exploration and extraction company. Her appointment was, “for distinguished service to the mining sector, to the community through philanthropic initiatives, and to sport as a patron”. Rinehart and the Australian women’s four are part of the record number of women recipients.

This Australia Day, 1,040 people are receiving the country’s highest honours, including appointments to the Order of Australia, meritorious awards and distinguished and conspicuous awards. The most high profile award was presented to mining magnate Gina Rinehart, who was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her service to the mining sector, to the community through philanthropic initiatives and as a patron to sport.

A diverse range of Australians across science, business, and sport – many of them with a deep connection to philanthropy – have been recognised in the 2022 Australia Day Honours. Gina Rinehart also received an AO, for distinguished service to the mining sector, to the community through philanthropic initiatives, and to sport as a patron.

Roy Hill and Hancock Prospecting executive chair Gina Rinehart has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the General Division, as part of the Australia Day 2022 Honours list. The mining magnate, who was one of only 25 Australians selected for the honour this year, was recognised for “distinguished service to the mining sector, to the community through philanthropic initiatives and to sport as a patron”.

Friday January 28, 2022.

The nation’s richest person, Gina Rinehart – at last count worth $36bn – was one of 25 Australians to become an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), in Mrs Rinehart’s case for distinguished service to the mining sector and for her philanthropy. The 67-year-old iron ore billionaire was recognised for her support of causes such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and her patronage of sports, including swimming and volleyball.

Governor-General David Hurley congratulated the winners. “Collectively the recipients, whose achievements span community service, science and research, industry, sport, the arts and more, represent the strength and diversity of Australia,” he said. “It has been a challenging couple of years and the recipients announced are a reminder and reflection of the richness of spirit, selflessness and good in our community.”

Mrs Rinehart, who oversees the Hancock Prospecting mining empire that helped deliver a fortune estimated at $31 billion last year, and extensive cattle and pastoral interests, has been made an officer (AO) of the Order of Australia. After sponsors withdrew support for Swimming Australia in response to its poor showing at the London 2012 Olympics, Mrs Rinehart stepped up her funding. “This allowed many athletes myself included to see that there was a future career in swimming for us,” Ms Campbell said.