Jerry Lewis awarded an AM
Jewish movie industry icon Jerry Lewis has been awarded the Order of Australia.
The 87-yr-old actor becomes an honorary Member [AM] in the General Division.
Jerry Lewis
The citation reads: “For service to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia and for his long-time humanitarian contribution to those affected by the disorder”
Mr Jerry Lewis has been the international patron of the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia since 2009. As international patron, Mr Lewis has enabled neuromuscular conditions to be better understood by Australians through numerous media interviews. He has also assisted with raising financial support through his meetings with corporate leaders, politicians, union officials and the public during his visits to Australia, ensuring his message is heard and understood.
On an international scale, Mr Lewis has made a long-term contribution to the Muscular Dystrophy Association United States. He instigated and was the national chairman for over 60 years, raising funds in excess of $2.6 billion over the past 45 years. Mr Lewis has given enormous support, including carrying out major clinical research on a global scale, to prolong the lives of many thousands of children throughout the world, including Australia.
Wikipedia records: “Throughout his career, Lewis has supported fundraising for research into muscular dystrophy. From the early 1950s until 2011, he served as national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association(MDA).[44] Lewis began hosting telethons to benefit MDA in 1952. From 1966 to 2010 he hosted the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, since renamed the MDA Show of Strength. It has raised over $2.6 billion.[45] On August 3, 2011, it was announced that Lewis would no longer host any further telethons.“
Since when were honours awarded by the Honours Secretariat in mid-December?!
This is a one-off specie award. They happen from time to time