Ange Postecoglou and Margot Robbie have both been honored as winners of the 2024 Global Australian Award.
The prestigious awards honor Australian citizens both domestically and internationally, celebrating their remarkable accomplishments by spotlighting their contributions in areas like innovation, activism, and their respective fields.
Recipients are acknowledged in categories such as leadership, technology and innovation, agriculture, sports, sustainability, and the creative arts.
Advance Global Australians, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Australians worldwide, revealed the award winners on Thursday.
Other recipients include chef Skye Gyngell, Airtasker co-founder Jonathan Lui, and Shemara Wikramanayake, the managing director and CEO of Macquarie Group.
Both the football coach and the Hollywood actress have had a hectic year, with Robbie starring in several films in 2023 and 2024, such as Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, Barbie, and See You at 5.
The three-time Academy Award winner also became a mother for the first time earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Postecoglou has made a strong impact since becoming Tottenham’s manager in 2023.
The former Celtic manager has garnered praise for his fast-paced, attacking style of play, leading Spurs in the Premier League to fifth place with 20 victories.
‘There is no doubt that Australia is punching well above its weight on the global stage, and our biggest asset is our people,’ AGA chief executive Kate McQuestin said.
‘Many are quiet achievers and, as our research shows, are reluctant to promote themselves, so I am delighted we can do this for them to increase the awareness of our country’s enormous capability and expertise.
‘We should all be proud of what they are achieving and shouldn’t shy away from celebrating it. The extraordinary talent and perseverance of Australians and alumni of Australian universities around the world really is worthy of international acclamation.
‘These awards showcase the profound impact that Global Australians have on the world.’
This follows Postecoglou’s admission that he had been “feeling emotional” after receiving the honor at London’s Australia House earlier this month. Born in Greece and moving to Australia at the age of five, he reflected on the significance of the recognition.
During an event called ‘An Evening With Ange,’ the football coach shared reflections on his football journey and his upbringing in Australia as part of a celebration at the Australian High Commission’s office.
‘I do very much feel a product of Greece, but made in Australia, and feel really closely connected to both countries,’ he said during the event.
‘I feel very strongly about the journey I’ve had as an immigrant, not so much for myself, but to keep honoring my parents.
‘The sacrifices they made for me to be sitting here tonight means the world to me, so I really want to thank them.’
While Spurs narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot last season, their form in the 2023-24 campaign has been inconsistent.
Tottenham currently sits 10th in the table, having won five and lost five of their first 11 league matches.
Despite this mixed performance, Postecoglou remains confident that nothing at the club will hinder their pursuit of trophies.
The north London club hasn’t claimed a significant honor since taking home the League Cup in 2008, with former captain Hugo Lloris recently criticizing club chairman Daniel Levy in his newly released autobiography.
In the book, the goalkeeper raises doubts about whether the Spurs executive truly had a strong drive to secure silverware.
However, ‘Aussie Ange‘ is determined to achieve success, rejecting suggestions that there is a lack of ambition at the club.
‘I’ve said in my own life, people will often talk about experiences they’ve had and shared with me and I’ve got a totally different view on it than they have,’ Postecoglou said.
‘I haven’t read it [Lloris’ autobiography], so I don’t want to take it out of context. Hugo is talking about his own experience, but is that the experience of everyone?
‘I am sure Daniel [Levy] had a different view on it.
‘I think when something doesn’t work, it is very easy to look for reasons why.
‘I think it is bigger than that, but it would have been a very different story – because it was a pretty tight final as well – if it had gone the other way.
‘My dealings with Daniel and anyone at the club, I haven’t changed from the moment I took on this task.
‘I know the ambitions I have for this football club and there has been nothing here that I feel has curtailed me trying to achieve what I want to.
‘A lot of that is in my own power, and the rest of it is to get people along for the ride and hopefully get them to believe in what we’re trying to do.’
Get the Latest Scores! Check out today’s football headlines and updates to stay informed.
Check Updates
