Australia Day Honours for High Profile Performers

High profile performers Geoffrey Rush, Nancye Hayes, Jacki Weaver and Rhonda Burchmore, and theatrical producer John Robertson, have been recognized in the 2014 Australia Day Honours.

Geoffrey Rush has been recognized with the Companion (AC) in the General Division, for eminent services to the arts as a theatre performer, motion picture actor, and film producer, as a role model and mentor for aspiring artists, and through promotion of the Australian arts industry.

Winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes and an Emmy Award, he was 2012 Australian of the Year.

Nancye Hayes AM (pictured below) has been recognized for significant service to the performing arts, particularly musical theatre, as a actor, choreographer and director. It’s yet another honour for the veteran triple threat performer / director, who has recently had Sydney’s new home of independent musical theatre and cabaret named after her.

Jacki Weaver is the recipient of Officer (AO) in the general division, for distinguished service to the performing arts as an actor and entertainer, as a supporter of social welfare organisations, and as a role model and mentor to young performers.

Veteran entertainer Rhonda Burchmore, who has more than 30 years on the Australian showbiz scene, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the arts and community.

Burchmore told the ABC she was thrilled to find out she was receiving the award and that her first thoughts went to her late father, "who was such a proud Australian and Australia Day was everything to him".

"It's a nice little icing on the cake. I see myself still performing hopefully for the next 30 years," she said.

Australian theatre producer John Robertson was also recognised with a Medal (OAM) in the General Division for service to the performing arts as a producer and mentor. Previous recognition of John Robertson's long theatrical career, stretching back to 1956, includes Live Performance Australia's prestigious James Cassius Williamson Award in 2003.