Opera star Yvonne Kenny has been named Australian of the Year in the UK for 2019.
The world famous soprano was presented with the award during a gala dinner held at Australia House in London on Saturday – Australia Day.
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Born in Sydney, Kenny made her operatic debut in 1975 before joining the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden. She remained a member of the company until 1996. She has featured at the BBC Proms and Edinburgh Festival and still spends her time in both the UK and Australia.
Kenny has won multiple Aria awards. Simple Gifts, from 1995, was the first Australian classical album to reach gold status.
Young Australian of the Year in the UK went to Oxford PhD student Jessica Buck while the Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK for 2019 is the iconic voice of cycling, Phil Liggett.