--- title: Celebrating water leaders recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Honours description: Professor Peter Cook AC and the late Leith Boully AM were recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for service to science, governance and leadership. image: https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Stylish%20trophy%20with%20sparkly%2c%20exciting%20background.jpeg --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - 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She brought clarity, courage and a strong public-interest lens to some of the country’s most complex water and environmental challenges.  Leith held senior leadership and governance roles across state and national institutions, including as National Water Commissioner, Chair of Sunwater, Chair of the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence, and Independent Chair of the Catchment and Coastal Reef Advisory Committee. Her work with the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council and Land and Water Australia helped shape enduring approaches to basin-scale water management and collaboration.  A defining part of Leith’s legacy is her role in developing and leading the Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program, through which she mentored and inspired generations of water professionals.   #### **Recognising excellence across the water sector**  Recognising leadership, the honour awarded to the late Leith Boully reflects the depth of her expertise and commitment within Australia’s water community. We honour Leith Boully’s enduring legacy. [ Innovation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/innovation) [ Research ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/research) [ Leadership ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/leadership) [ Groundwater ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/groundwater) [ Collaboration ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/collaboration) [ Peter Cullen Trust ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/peter-cullen-trust) [ Australia Day ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/australia-day) [ Water Community ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/water-community) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Celebrating%20water%20leaders%20recognised%20in%20the%202026%20Australia%20Day%20Honours&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/celebrating-water-leaders-recognised-in-the-2026-australia-day-honours) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/celebrating-water-leaders-recognised-in-the-2026-australia-day-honours) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/celebrating-water-leaders-recognised-in-the-2026-australia-day-honours) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/celebrating-water-leaders-recognised-in-the-2026-australia-day-honours) ## RELATED NEWS [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/041220_Tom-Mollenkopf.jpg?width=352&name=041220_Tom-Mollenkopf.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/workplace/peter-cullen-trust-ceos-leadership-has-helped-connect-science-and-policy) ### [ Peter Cullen Trust CEO's leadership has helped connect science and policy ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/workplace/peter-cullen-trust-ceos-leadership-has-helped-connect-science-and-policy) Cecilia Harris After four years at the helm of the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust, CEO Tom Mollenkopf knows a thing or two about… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/workplace/peter-cullen-trust-ceos-leadership-has-helped-connect-science-and-policy) [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/peter%20cullen%20.jpg?width=352&name=peter%20cullen%20.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/applications-are-now-open-for-the-2025-peter-cullen-trust-leadership-program) ### [ Applications are now open for the 2025 Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/applications-are-now-open-for-the-2025-peter-cullen-trust-leadership-program) Water Source Applications are now invited for the Peter Cullen Trust’s 2025 Leadership Program. The Trust’s highly regarded flagship Program… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/applications-are-now-open-for-the-2025-peter-cullen-trust-leadership-program) ### [ Peter Cullen Trust announces new chair ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/workplace/peter-cullen-trust-announces-new-chair) Water Source Karlene Maywald will takeover as chairperson of the Peter Cullen Trust (PCT) following the resignation of John Thwaites. [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/workplace/peter-cullen-trust-announces-new-chair) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and the ancestors who have cared, protected and nurtured Country for many thousands of years.   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices, and names of people who have passed away. 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