Former Westpac chief executive Bob Joss, credited with turning around the bank in the 1990s, has received top honours in the Australia Day honours list.
He leads a long list of prominent business people who have been recognised for their work this year. Dr Joss has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia, the top order in the current system.
"Westpac was in pretty bad shape. But to see it doing so well today and ready to celebrate its 200th anniversary next year ... to have been a part of getting it back on track, I feel extremely positive about that," Dr Joss said. 
Dr Joss was joined on the top honours list by Mitch Hooke, the man who led the campaign to derail Kevin Rudd's mining tax - and helped kill his prime ministership. Mr Hooke was head of the Minerals Council of Australia, which led the campaign against the tax.
Also on the list was BRW rich-lister, barrister and cattle farmer Allan Myers, QC, and his wife Maria, who were honoured for their charitable work.
Former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick was made an AO for her contribution to human rights, the prevention of violence against women and children, to public administration and the law.
Among her key achievements, Ms Broderick said, was signing up top businessmen to the Male Champions of Change initiative to tackle gender inequality as well as her cutting 2014 report on gender discrimination in the Australian Defence Force.
"I want to go where other people don't want to go," Ms Broderick said.
Ms Broderick finished her five-year term in the role in   September and said she is now concentrating on co-establishing a new entity, including with former commission colleagues, dedicated to improving gender equality across different sectors.
Other notable business recipients included ANU professors Warwick McKibbin and Peter Drysdale; Village Roadshow co-chairman Robert Kirby for service to business and the arts, former Seven Network boss Brian Mallon; and trucking magnate Ian Cootes.
Tasmania's David Walsh, who created the Museum of Old and New Art, was honoured along with Judith Neilson, the former wife of Platinum Asset Management founder Kerr Neilson.
Ms Neilson was honoured for service to the arts through the museums and galleries sector, and as a benefactor of cultural and educational organisations.
Media personality and publisher of legal news and gossip website Justinian, Richard Ackland was also made an AM for his service to the print and television media industries.
Channel 9's Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson was also among the recipients for service to the print and broadcast media as a journalist and presenter, and to a range of youth and women's health groups.
Rod Laver, arguably Australia's greatest-ever tennis player, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia, for his service to tennis as a player, representative and mentor, at the national and international level, and as a role model for young sportsmen and women.
"Any time you win one of the grand slams is a memorable experience. Probably winning my first Wimbledon title... gave me the confidence to win some of the other grand slams and regular tournaments. But I don't really think there's any other specific moment," he told the Financial Review.
Lleyton Hewitt was also recognised in the Australia Day honours as a Member of the Order of Australia.
"It's the ultimate honour," he said.