Rosie Boylan OAM

From helping bring stories to life in movies and stage productions, to educating the next generation, and supporting communities in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu make and take contemporary headwear to international markets, Rosie Boylan OAM has had a lasting impact.

She has been recognised with the awarding of the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the creative arts as a milliner.

“I have devoted my working life to offering the best customer service as a Headwear Specialist. It's just what I do,” Ms Boylan says.

“I am hard-wired to read faces and the human spirit. I enjoy working with a diversity of clients, collaborating with them to create personalised headwear styles that best complement the wearers' features and expresses who they are.”

Ms Boylan’s headwear has been featured in films such as Elvis and Great Gatsby and musicals such as Strictly Ballroom and Phantom of the Opera. She has also helped uphold traditional and contemporary practices of hat-making by teaching headwear to tertiary students at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and previously in the TAFE NSW network.

“Initially I was in disbelief (on hearing of my award), but then I felt very honoured to be recognised and acknowledged at this prestigious level,” Ms Boylan says.

“I want to thank all the creative souls who have shared the hat path with me along the way. I thank my colleague and headwear assistant of 30 years, Cheryl Rounesfell, my family for their unwavering support, and the Order of Australia for considering me worthy of such lofty recognition.”