Nicole Kidman has received her native country's highest civil honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia. The Oscar winning actress was presented with the award at a ceremony at Government House, Canberra, for her contribution to the arts and her charity work. "It's a pat on the back, which as a little girl is something I think you dream of," she said. She added that her parents would be more proud than when she won an Oscar. The Companion award recognises Kidman's work promoting women's and children's health, and cancer research. Kidman's parents and husband Keith Urban attended the ceremony.
The actress, who won an Academy Award for
The Hours in 2003, is currently filming the romantic epic Australia with
Moulin Rouge! director Baz Luhrmann.