French, Lillee receive top honours

More than 30 Western Australians were recognised for their outstanding services to the country at this year's Australia Day honours list, including High Court Chief Justice Robert French and one of the nation's fastest bowlers, Dennis Lillee.

Justice French was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his service to the law and legal education in the constitution, native title law and legal reform.

Mr Lillee, who is currently the president of the Western Australian Cricket Association, was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM)

He remains a proponent of `keeping it real' and hopes his country continues to do the same.

"Someone said to me the other day that we're still the lucky country and I think we are, we just have to be careful that whatever we do we don't mess up what makes it a great country," he said.

"I'd like to see Australia keep that friendly attitude and sometimes you see that missing from time to time."

Another 15 people were made members of the Order of Australia including Professor David Black, Liberal MLC George Cash, Patricia Giles, John Horgan, Richard Lester, Bill Mitchell, James Ross.

Meantime, Trooper Donaldson has has dedicated his award to all men and women serving in the Defence Force after yesterday being named Young Australian of the Year.

Trooper Donaldson was last year awarded Australia's top military honour, the Victoria Cross, for his life-saving efforts to save wounded Australian soldiers during a gun battle in Afghanistan last year.