Whadjuk Noongar journalist and presenter Narelda Jacobs is one of a number of Indigenous people recognised in the King's Birthday Honours for 2023.
The presenter, who earned her start in news at 10 News First in Boorloo (Perth), joined the Studio 10 team in 2020.
She is currently the host of the new national news bulletin, 10 News First Midday.
Ms Jacobs said it was with "deep thought and humility" she accepts an Order of Australia despite the current Commonwealth head of state being an unelected British monarch.
"My career at Network 10 has opened many doors to sharing opinions and news on Studio 10, 10 News First, NITV and in the community," she said.
"While I'd prefer to receive such an honour from a different head of state, the Commonwealth is the system within which we operate.
"Before choosing to be named on the King's Birthday Honours, I considered all the First Nations people who've courageously taken up spaces created by the colony."
Ms Jacobs also reflected on her father and his advocacy efforts.
"I thought about my dad receiving his MBE from the Queen in 1981, while fighting to have his Noongar Sovereignty recognised, fully aware of the monarch's role in dispossessing his people," she said.
"I decided to take my lead from those who recognise the importance of stepping into the room in order to change it.
"In this referendum year, I'm grateful to be part of the change."
Ms Jacobs has been an outspoken advocate for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
At the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) summit last week, Ms Jacobs presented as the master of ceremonies and urged others to educate themselves on the Voice to Parliament.
"You might have heard this in recent times, 'if you don't know vote no'. If you don't know vote no, what? If you don't know, find out. If you don't know, educate yourself," she said.
In addition to her job as a presenter, Ms Jacobs is also part of the Motor Neurone Disease Association WA and an ambassador for Count Me In for the Disability Services Commission.
In 2011 she was one of 12 WA women who trekked the Kokoda Trail to raise money for Breast Cancer WA.
This is the first time since the introduction of the Australian honours system in 1975 that more women than men have been recognised in the general division.
