Comedian Tom Gleisner has been appointed an Officer (AO) in the General Division in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

June 11, 2018

Tom Gleisner promises that being included on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list won’t stop him poking fun at power.

But the comedian, who is best known for his work on The Castle, Utopia and The D-Generation over 40 years, would like us to all now call him “sir”.

Gleisner on Monday was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to television as a writer, producer, actor and presenter, as well as for his work with children with cancer and autism.

The 55-year-old joked that although he was genuinely surprised – and a little overwhelmed – to receive the news, he won’t be changing what he does.

He’s also bracing himself for the grief his fellow comedians from Have You Been Paying Attention? will throw at him now he’s joined the “establishment”.

“It is a little bit unusual to be in the field I am in, poking fun at those in power, and suddenly I find myself almost a member of that club,” he quipped.

“(However) I don’t think receiving the award will change me in any way, although I would prefer if you addressed me as ‘sir’ for the rest of the interview, if that’s not asking too much.”

Striking a serious note, Gleisner said as fortunate as he has been to work with many of his closest friends in comedy, it’s his 30 years of charity work with Challenge and Learning for Life that have been the most delightful.

“I don’t take it for granted for a minute that I get to work with some of my closest friends and do work that I love. It’s been a great ride and one I hope goes on for quite a bit longer,” he said.

Gleisner is joined on the honours list by fellow entertainment industry veterans Jill Bilcock and Brian Cadd.

Bilcock, whose film career began in the early 1980s, has been honoured as Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her service to the film industry as a film editor.

She has been recognised for her work as a role model within the industry and for her contribution’s to the nation’s cultural identity.

Bilcock edited Australian film classics such as Muriel’s Wedding, Moulin Rouge, The Dish, Red Dog, Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet.

While musician Brian Cadd has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his work over the past 50 years as a singer, songwriter, mentor and producer.