Celebrating the Honour: Gay Cruickshank Awarded OAM for Service to Dance

Celebrating the Honour: Gay Cruickshank Awarded OAM for Service to Dance

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Australia warmly congratulates Life Member and passionate arts advocate Mrs Deborah Gay Cruickshank on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List.

Mrs Cruickshank was recognised “for service to dance as a teacher and benefactor”—a fitting tribute to a lifelong champion of ballet, education, and the arts. Her extraordinary commitment to the dance community has spanned decades, enriching the lives of students, teachers, and audiences alike

A former RAD Regional Organiser and current Patron of the Western Australian Regional Advisory Panel, Gay has long been a driving force within RAD Australia. She established the Gay Cruickshank Scholarship, awarded annually at the WA Festival of Dance, to inspire young dancers to pursue their passion and achieve artistic excellence.

Beyond the RAD, Mrs Cruickshank’s support has extended to many leading organisations including The Australian Ballet, West Australian Ballet, and a variety of arts and wellness institutions. Her legacy is one of generosity, leadership, and unwavering belief in the power of the arts to enrich communities.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and thank Gay for her outstanding contributions to the world of dance.

Congratulations, Mrs Gay Cruickshank OAM.