Miriam Margolyes Becomes An Aussie and annouces : I'm A Dyke!

Actress Miriam Margolyes has had a long associtation with Australia : her partner is a local and when not travelling the world to appear in films and stage plays, Miriam retreats to a magnificent property in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

Today she formerly became an Australian citizen and was presented with her citizenship certificate by prime minister Julia Gillard at a ceremony in Canberra. Miriam spoke about her long time Australian female partner and as an after thought announced to the assembled dignitaries :"if anyone doesn't know, I'm a dyke"

Happy Australia Day ! (and a message from Russell Crowe)

In the interests of fairness : here is Russell Crowe's contribution to this holiday :

Australia Day Eye Candy..

It's pelting down with rain all over the country despite being mid-summer.

A gloomy Australia Day (or Invasion Day if you are Indigenous)...so here are some pics of our favourite super-model, Victoria's Secret star and the former Gunnedah resident who married a Hobbit...gorgeous Miranda Kerr wrapped in the Australian flag In a glorious display of nationalism and oddly-dressed as Wonder Woman.

They're from the Aussie edition of Grazzia . Enjoy!




                                                                                                              

Sydney Theatre Awards

Richard Roxburgh, Helen Dallimore & Andrew Upton at the Sydney Theatre Awards

300 MEMBERS of the Sydney theatre community packed the auditorium at Paddington RSL to celebrate the best of Sydney theatre throughout 2011.

Kirsten & David Williamson at the awards

Amongst the recipients :
Best Mainstage Production was awarded to Belvoir’s production of The Wild Duck, which also won Best Direction of a Mainstage Production -Simon Stone, and Best Actress and Actor in a Supporting Role of a Mainstage Production -Anita Hegh, Anthony Phelan.

Best Independent Production went to The Libertine, produced by Sport for Jove Theatre with Darlinghurst Theatre Company, which also garnered Best Actress and Actor in an Independent Production -Danielle King, Anthony Gooley.

Oz Of The Year ?

Best Actress in a Leading Role of a Mainstage Production was won by Cate Blanchett for Sydney Theatre Company’s Gross und Klein, for which Alice Babidge was awarded Best Costume Design.
For the full list of awards go to the awards website.
                                                             
Meanwhile the search is on for replacements for Cate Blanchett and husband Andrew Upton who are relinquishing their roles in 2013 as co-artistic directors and CEOs of the Sydney Theatre Company. Under their auspices, the STC has received rave reviews and plaudits for their productions, around the world and turned around the fiances of the company into a healthy profit.

And our favourite Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush has been nominated as a contender to pick up the Australian of The Year award on Australia Day (or Invasion Day as some prefer to call it) on January 26th.
                                                         ********************
# Should the Shuttle feel flattered or otherwise as we were ushered past the door minders at the Paddington RSL with great aplomb whilst actor and Hollywood star Richard Roxburgh stood patiently while they searched for his name on the door list ?

## Speculation is mounting as to who the VIP was as mentioned in our previous story with the bodyguard who waved a pistol in the face of a photographer in Double Bay last week. Watch this space.....