Not only has Geoffrey Rush celebrated 40 years as an Australian actor, achieved the rare honour of a ‘Triple Crown’ – an Oscar, a Tony and an Emmy – but he has also managed to be named the Australian of the Year 2012. Rush was awarded over nominees Bruce and Denise Morcombe, who were the predicted award recipients.
Internationally recognized actor and supporter of the arts, Geoffrey Rush has been named Australian of the Year 2012 by the Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard MP.
The screen veteran also has three Australian Film Institute honours, three British Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, four Screen Actors’ Guild Awards, not to mention the Helpmann Award he was awarded last year.
Geoffrey is widely known as a mentor as he supports young actors and arts companies. He is Patron of the Melbourne International Film Festival; of Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre Foundation of the Spina Bifida Foundation Victoria. He is an Ambassador for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and UNICEF Australia.
“I am sure my colleagues will see this as a national endorsement in our story of creativity,” he said. He said he hoped to see the arts world get bigger and more inclusive.
Bruce and Denise Morcombe, child safety advocates, told the Daily they were simply privileged to be “rubbing shoulders” with such amazing people and to be nominated for such a prestigious award.
Mr Morcombe had earlier downplayed their chances of winning, despite many sources announcing the couple as favourites. “We hope (being nominated) will open some doors and it’ll take the child safety message to a national stage,” Mr Morcombe said.
“There’s a lot of respect for people who win this award. We’ve met a lot of the past winners. There’s a lot of incredible Australians with a rich history on the list of past winners.”
