Blonde Boris is a popular figure and well known for his passion, politics and patriotism, and it’s this pride and honesty that has endeared him to Australians. He has always embraced Aussie traditions and values during his many visits down under, and in a speech delivered in August last year at the opening of the Melbourne Writers Festival, Boris told his audience ‘Australia is the most advanced country on earth’.
The delighted Mayor said: “I am honoured and not a little surprised to be recognised with such a prestigious award, and one that has previously been awarded to a glittering and almost certainly far more deserving alumni!
“London is a global capital, with a rich and diverse world community. Australians are an integral and essential part of that community, and so long as I am Mayor it is a bond I know will grow and flourish still further.”
Other winners included leading writer, lecturer, historian and world expert on Antarctica, Meredith Hooper, who was awarded the prestigious title of Australian of the Year in the UK.
The award for the Young Australian Achiever in the UK was presented to the ballet dancer, Steven McRae.
Steven, 28, said, “I am honoured to be receiving this award and delighted to be recognised for my work by my home country. I am proud to represent Australia in everything that I do, and I look forward to sharing much of what I have learnt and experienced abroad with everyone in Australia in the future.”
All three awards were presented by the Australian High Commissioner the Honourable Mike Rann in front of a packed audience at Australia House.
