Honouring a chance to honour others

I have had praise from my heroes, been mentioned in the same breath as giants, spoken with people I’ve not seen in forever but mostly, I’ve shared a lifetime of magic moments – actual and virtual - with my beloved tribe, the people who populate my life and fill it with real love and unflinching support every day.

Life doesn’t give up many days like this Monday, June 8, 2020.

I was named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, along with my friend and colleague, Jill Emberson, who has been posthumously recognised.

I was awarded an OAM for services to the broadcast media.

(For international friends, this is the Australian equivalent of an MBE, I am told).

I don’t know if I’ll ever be comfortable with hearing Aaron Kearney OAM but there are a couple of things that resonate in this moment and I want to get them down and share them with you.

Firstly, it is truly the worst of times for journalism and broadcasting.

That is exponentially more so in regional media and the media landscape of the Asia-Pacific; the places I have chosen to spend my life.

I have recently eulogised some of this nation’s great media institutions, places that helped make Australia the place it is.

I’ve also talked at length with friends in the Pacific watching their local media eco-systems, and their livelihoods, collapse.

The people who continue to do this work are doing it tough, with little hope, and a lot of hate.

I hope that as one of your own, this recognition shows that your work has value, is noble and is not going unnoticed.

I hope this honour honours you and, in some small way, galvanises you to fight on – because you matter.

Secondly, I am struck by how lucky I am to enjoy this experience with all of you when my beautiful colleague and friend, Jill Emberson, who had the same honour bestowed upon her today, cannot.

I feel the heavy weight of her loved ones in this moment and share their pride and pain in her posthumous recognition.

Live wholeheartedly.

Be kind.

Love hard.

Love really hard.

Thirdly, and relatedly, I want to acknowledge my privilege (in the traditional, not the weaponised, meaning of the word).

I have had the privilege of unwavering love my entire life and right now, more than ever.

People who’ve validated me, told me I could and I should, picked me up when I fell and stuck by me when it got hard.

I have cherished friendships in every corner of the world.

I’ve had an education, I’m not discriminated against for my colour or my gender, I’ve been healthy, I have always made enough money to be ok and I’ve practised journalism within a society that valued the Fourth Estate.

I’ve had choices.

Some people have to fight every day just to stay afloat.

I’ve had enough in my life that I had some to give away.

There’s no awards for just fighting to survive.

There should be.

Finally, I have you, the people in my world.

I have more wonderful people in my world than any person deserves.

Some are famous and fabulous, some are fragile and unfashionable.

I was speaking to a friend the other day who said everyone needs three people they can call on no matter what.

I have a quarry full of solid rocks.

Loyal and generous.

Many of you, especially those closest to me, have made huge sacrifices for me.

And others have made huge sacrifices to support your sacrifices.

Whether it be accommodating 17 years of weekends commentating football, answering a 3.30am alarm every single day or disappearing into foreign lands for big chunks of time.

You made this possible.

To my family, friends, colleagues, the holders of my heart (and the boundaries between those are often blurry), to the oldest of friends and the newest, those I share every day with and those I travel 30 hours to spend time with – thank you.

I love you.

If you are reading this, please know you are a treasured part of my life.

Every last one of you.

My country recognised my contribution today, and I find that impossible to process.

Maybe if I share it, it’ll make more sense.

So I am recognising your contribution.

Thank you.