Australia Day Honours 2020: Rachel Griffiths awarded AM

Golden-Globe winner and Oscar-nominated actor Rachel Griffiths says she’s blown away to be honoured for service to arts.

Australian film star Rachel Griffiths. Picture: Jerad Williams

She’s a Golden-Globe winning and Emmy and Oscar-nominated actor, but Rachel Griffiths has “never been prouder” than to be appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

As part of the Australia Day Honour the beloved Australian actor has received the accolade for her eminent service to the performing arts as an actor.

“I have never been prouder of receiving an award than to be given this acknowledgment from my beloved country,” Griffiths said.

“It’s been my greatest privilege to tell Australian stories and hopefully add some small joy and meaning to our national culture. I am humbled by this unexpected honour as rather than feeling deserving I feel a great debt to my nation.”

Having roles in over 30 films, including Hacksaw Ridge, Saving Mr Banks, and Muriel’s Wedding, and several theatre productions, Griffiths said it was through the support of the arts that helped her career skyrocket.

“Our national film funding, state agencies, theatre companies and community groups gave me the grounding to learn my craft before such opportunities launched my career internationally.”

Griffiths thanked the “incredible cultural mentors” who inspired her “with the beauty and courage of the marks they make” to follow in their footsteps.

Griffiths says she hopes to continue to the “extraordinary arts culture of our nation and bring out shared stories to our screens and stages.”

The Ride Like a Girl director and producer is a committed activist who has used her profile to raise awareness and restore the lives of women and children around the world.

A key lobbyist for the introduction of Australia’s modern slavery act, a campaigner for organisations such as Oxfam and the Global Charter of Basic Rights, a critical supporter for the ban on passports for convicted child sex offenders, and a patron for Hagar Australia, an international organisation supporting women and children who have survived trafficking and slavery in Cambodia, Vietnam and Afghanistan, Griffiths work off camera is as impressive as her trophy cabinet.

Australia Day Honours

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Griffiths is joined by fellow actor Hugo Weaving and actor, dancer, and TV presenter Paul Mercurio and actor, comedian Tim Minchin.

Best known for his roles as Agent Smith in The Matrix Trilogy and Elrond in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Weaving is made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the performing arts as an actor, and as a mentor of young writers, directors, and film makers.

Mercurio received the Australia Day Honour for his service to the performing arts, particularly to dance, while Kath and Kim star Jane Turner was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the performing arts as a writer, actor and comedian.

Alongside Weaving, singer, songwriter Keith Urban was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the performing arts as a singer and songwriter, and to charitable organisations.