Nicole Kidman's Top Oz Award
Added to Her Best Actress Grant is 'Order of Australia' Ace Honor
Australian actress Nicole Kidman, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for health issues and advocate of cancer research, receives Australia's top honors.
Earlier this month, Nicole Kidman was awarded Australia's top honor, the 'Order of Australia.' The national award is an 'order of chivalry' established by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, given for the purpose of providing recognition to Australian citizens who have performed exemplary achievement. Kidman is wife of singer Keith Urban and former wife of Tom Cruise.
The order is divided into general or military divisions. For general division, the "Companions of the Order of Australia" (AC) is the highest honor. Kidman was named Companion in the General Divisions of the Order of Australia (AC) last year, but unable to return to Australia to receive the award due to commitments in the U.S.
Kidman was recognized for her contribution and service to the performing arts as an acclaimed motion picture performer as well as for her charity work in promoting health with women and children including efforts to improve medical treatment, and support for cancer research. She's a UNICEF goodwill ambassador for UNICEF Australia.
Wearing a dainty shell-pink frock with a burgundy velvet ribbon in her hair, Nicole Kidman received the award from Governor-General Michael Jeffery at an Order of Australia ceremony in the Government House at Canberra, the nation's capital city. At the ceremony, 40 other Australians also received awards.
The crowd included Kidman's husband and country singer Keith Urban, and her parents Dr. Antony Kidman and Janelle MacNeille-Kidman.
Paraphrased for this article, the tribute to Kidman given by Governor-General Jeffery follows: (Source consulted: SMH, dated April 13, 2007)
"The great thing about you, Ms Kidman, is what you've done to better the human condition. You've become an honorary ambassador looking after children and women's issues; a great supporter for children at Sydney hospital and cancer research. You're a tremendous actress and a great attribute to the nation."
Kidman expressed gratitude for the honor which she believes will make her parents very more proud than her Oscar award for portraying Virginia Woolf in The Hours.
After receiving her award, she told reporters, "It's a pat on the back, which as a little girl is something you dream of." She also paid tribute to the inspiring stories of the 40 other Australians who were recognized that day.
She is in currently in Australia shooting a war epic film, Australia directed by Baz Luhrmann, who also directed her in Moulin Rouge. In this movie, Kidman has the lead role of an aristocratic Englishwoman who helps a cattleman drive thousands head of cattle across the Australian outback just before the Japanese bombing of the Northern territory in Darwin during World War II. Fellow Australian Hugh Jackman is the male lead.
Nicole Kidman's more popular films
- Dead Calm (1989)
- Days of Thunder (1990)
- Far and Away (1992)
- To Die For (1995)
- Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
- Moulin Rouge! (2001)
- The Hours (2003)
- Cold Mountain (2003)
- Stepford Wives (2004)
Some of her films were co-starred with former husband Tom Cruise.
Links from Herald Sun:
Nicole Kidman Pregnancy Workout
