Magda Szubanski, author of the award-winning Reckoning, has been nominated for the 2018 Victorian Australian of the Year.
The Victorian Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced on Thursday 26 October 2017 at Government House in Melbourne.
The Victorian Award recipients will then join a cohort of 32 State and Territory recipients from around Australia in the national awards, which will be held in Canberra on 25 January 2018.
National Australia Day Council CEO Ms Jenny Barbour said the Victorian nominees are among 130 great Australians being recognised at the state level in the Australian of the Year Awards.
‘The Australian of the Year Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Australians – people making extraordinary contributions to our society,’ said Ms Barbour.
‘The Victorian Award nominees share a motivation to help people, often putting aside their own life challenges to focus on bringing about positive change for others and to make real changes in the broader community. Their outlook and efforts have inspired those around them and make them Australians to be proud of.’
Magda Szubanski
Actor, author and spokeswoman for marriage equality
From Sharon Strzelecki to Esme Hoggett and from Pixie-Anne Wheatley to Chenille from the Institute de Beauté, Magda Szubanski has created some of Australia’s most loved characters. Starting out as a writer and performer of sketch comedy in the 1980s with ‘The D Generation’, Magda has built a three-decade career spaning TV production, film acting and musical theatre.
Her heartbreaking and honest memoir Reckoning, published in 2015, won several awards including Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Her body of work in the creative arts is matched by her strong advocacy for human rights. Known for her quick-witted humour and insightful characterisation, Magda has gained admiration and applause for her courage to stand proudly as a member of the gay and lesbian community, and for her strong support of marriage equality. An ambassador for non-profit support group Twenty10, Magda works with young LGBTIQ people, their families and communities to build a world where everyone can be themselves.
Text is pleased and proud to have published Reckoning and wishes Magda Szubanski the very best in these awards.
