2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations
2026/4/30
On 29 April, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations.
The Embassy of Japan in Australia wishes it to be known that the following five recipients shall be conferred with decorations in recognition of their distinguished contributions to Japan-Australia relations.
Ms. Melanie Brock
Former Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Ms. Melanie Brock has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for her contribution to strengthening economic relations between Japan and Australia.
Ms. Debra Hazelton
Vice President of the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee
Ms. Debra Hazelton has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for her contribution to strengthening economic relations between Japan and Australia.
Ms. Anne De Kretser
Former Director, Monash Japanese Language Education Centre
Ms. Anne De Kretser has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays for her contribution to the advancement of Japanese language education in Australia and to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.
Ms. Ursula Pagels
Director of Australian Sogetsu Teachers Association of Western Australia
Ms. Ursula Pagels has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays for her contribution to promoting Ikebana in Australia and friendship between Japan and Australia.
Mr. James Paspaley
Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Darwin
Mr. James Paspaley has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for his contribution to promoting exchanges and friendship between Japan and Australia
The Embassy of Japan in Australia wishes it to be known that the following five recipients shall be conferred with decorations in recognition of their distinguished contributions to Japan-Australia relations.
Ms. Melanie Brock
Former Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Ms. Melanie Brock has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for her contribution to strengthening economic relations between Japan and Australia.
Ms. Debra Hazelton
Vice President of the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee
Ms. Debra Hazelton has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for her contribution to strengthening economic relations between Japan and Australia.
Ms. Anne De Kretser
Former Director, Monash Japanese Language Education Centre
Ms. Anne De Kretser has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays for her contribution to the advancement of Japanese language education in Australia and to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.
Ms. Ursula Pagels
Director of Australian Sogetsu Teachers Association of Western Australia
Ms. Ursula Pagels has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays for her contribution to promoting Ikebana in Australia and friendship between Japan and Australia.
Mr. James Paspaley
Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Darwin
Mr. James Paspaley has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for his contribution to promoting exchanges and friendship between Japan and Australia