Hong Kong’s unofficial spokesperson for all things Covid has been recognised with an Australia Day Award, honouring his diligent and dogged determination to get the facts to people during a time of fear and uncertainty.

Aaron Busch – better known by his Twitter handle Tripperhead – received the award at the residence of the Australian consul general to Hong Kong and Macau, Elizabeth Ward, in Repulse Bay last week.

“Honoured to present the Australia Day Community Award 2023 to @tripperhead,” Ward tweeted. “Thank you for keeping the international community in #HK informed. A reminder of the power of citizen journalism.”

Busch was modest about the recognition.

“In that typical Aussie way, I don’t feel I deserve it, I was doing what I do. But you don’t say no to the consul general. It was incredibly nice to receive it and I will have it on the wall for the rest of my life.”