On Australia Day 1987, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the performing arts in Australia.
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Listening to the live recording of one of those performances from Sydney, it is easy to understand why critics such as Felix Werder, James Glennon, Val Vallis, John Cargher and Kenneth Hince among many others were enormously impressed as Beaton's big, dramatic voice created vocal fireworks for the audience.