Steven McRae has been named Australian of the Year in the UK, recognised for his outstanding achievements and contribution to cultural life in Britain. The award was presented at the Australia Foundation’s Annual Gala Dinner in London, an event that brings together the UK–Australian community to celebrate excellence across a broad range of fields.
A Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, McRae has built an international career defined by artistry, versatility and longevity. Based in London for his entire professional life, he has remained a powerful advocate for Australian artists working abroad, and a visible representative of Australian excellence on the world stage.
In accepting the honour, McRae reflected on the enduring connection he feels to his home country and the role of the arts in shaping communities. ‘Although I have lived my entire adult life in London, there isn’t a day that goes by without feeling the strong Australian Spirit within me. A spirit that Aussies are born with, not taught, or bought, and that has fuelled my constant desire to explore the extraordinary world we live in. This Honour is a Celebration of the Arts and I hope it is an example to the next generations of how the Arts and Dance in particular can unite, excite, and empower societies around the world.’
The Australia Foundation, established in 2004, is a non-political, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to celebrating Australia in the UK. Its annual awards recognise individuals whose work has strengthened Anglo-Australian connections, while surplus funds from the Gala Dinner support scholarships for young Australians pursuing education in the UK.
McRae shared the evening with fellow award recipients, including musician Gary Barlow and rugby league player Reagan Campbell Gillard, and marked the occasion alongside his family in London.