Vika and Linda, Beccy Cole Honored In Queen’s Birthday List

Australian sibling duo Vika and Linda, and country artist Beccy Cole, are among the musicians recognized in the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List.

The Bull sisters received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the performing arts, an award that caps an extraordinary chart run for these national treasures.

In 2020, Vika and Linda hit No. 1 on the ARIA Chart for the first time in a 30-year-plus career with the compilation Akilotoa (Anthology 1994-2006), becoming the first Australian sister-duo to do so.

Three months later, in September 2020, their gospel collection Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso) debuted at No. 2.

Then in September 2021, their first studio album in 19 years, The Wait, debuted at No. 2 on the national albums chart.

The timing of an OAM is sweet. Vika recently underwent emergency surgery, which has pushed back their national tour. Promoter Frontier Touring has rescheduled the tour, with new dates kicking off early August.

Announced June 13, ten APRA AMCOS members were honored, with OAMs going to composer and jazz pianist Joe Chindamo, violinist and musical director Christopher Latham, celebrated country music singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Beccy Cole, and acclaimed jazz and cabaret performer Libby O’Donovan.

Radio personality Greg Champion was named as a Member (OAM) in the general division, Ian Dickson and Billy Baxter received Member (AM) status for their ongoing service to the industry.

All told, 992 Australians were honored, including 669 in the General Division of the Order of Australia, and awards for meritorious, distinguished and “conspicuous” service.

“Collectively the recipients, whose achievements span community service, science and research, industry, sport, the arts and more, represent the very best of Australia,” comments the Governor-General David Hurley.

The awards—a system established by Queen Elizabeth II of England and the commonwealth states, which include Australia, in recognition of special achievements by the country’s citizens—usually coincide with Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday.