The Duke of Edinburgh presents Ms Kylie Minogue with the
Britain-Australia Society Award for 2016
4th April 2017
The Duke of Edinburgh, as Patron of the Britain-Australia Society since 1970, this afternoon received Ms Kylie Minogue in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, to present the Britain-Australia Society Award for 2016.
The Vice President of the Britain-Australia Society, His Excellency The Hon Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner, and the Chairman of the Britain-Australia Society, Mr Peter Benson OAM, were also present.
Kylie Minogue OBE has been awarded the 2016 Britain-Australia Society Award for her significant contribution to the Britain-Australia relationship. At a private reception at Australia House last night Kylie was celebrated as an acclaimed singer-songwriter, actor, philanthropist and outstanding cultural ambassador for both Australia and the UK.
Kylie said:
“I am delighted to accept this award from the Britain-Australia Society. I’m a proud ‘Aussie’ but Britain has a very strong place in my heart having lived and worked here for many years. The Society does a wonderful job to promote the rich cultural ties between the two countries and I am honoured to be recognised by them in this way.”
Speaking at the reception, His Excellency the Hon Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Vice President of the Britain-Australia Society said:
“With a career that has spanned almost three decades, Kylie is a global pop icon and one of the UK’s most loved Australians. Kylie has had phenomenal success in the UK, with five number one albums and seven UK number one singles. She has come a long way since the UK first fell in love with her on the Australian TV show Neighbours. Kylie continues to inspire people in the UK and worldwide, as an artist and philanthropist. Kylie is an outstanding recipient of the 2016 Britain-Australia Society Award and a great ambassador for Australia.”
Lord Carrington, President of the Britain-Australia Society sent the following:
“I am delighted that Kylie Minogue is the recipient of the Britain-Australia Society Award for 2016. As an Australian comfortably based in the UK, she personifies the best traits of Australians and Britons – warm, amiable, easy-going, talented and industrious – in her case to a superlative extent. This award recognises not only her extensive public profile but also her status as a cultural ambassador with a foot firmly in both countries. The relationship between Australia and Britain is demonstrably stronger and warmer for her presence.
I am sorry that I am unable to attend personally but wish all present at the reception a very pleasant evening and congratulations to Kylie on a well-deserved commendation.”
The Britain-Australia Award recognises Australian and British individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Australia-UK bilateral relationship. Past recipients include Barry Humphries AO CBE, and The Rt Hon Lord Hague PC. Established in 1971 by the Prime Ministers of Britain and Australia, the Britain-Australia Society works to advance the relationship between both countries through mutual interests in commerce, public service, education, entertainment, culture and sport.
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