TERROR AUSTRALIS: 3 Aussie icons & what gives them their edge

Australia has its fair share of international icons. We make them good and proper in the land down under. Here are 3 famous Aussies and what we reckon gives them their edge; often the aspect of their lives and work that is overlooked are the things that drive them, that set them apart.

1. NICOLE KIDMAN

Possibly Australia’s most well-known actress. “Our Nicole” as we like to call her, is (in our opinion) still slept on. Yes, she’s a Hollywood star. But her freaky-deeky artistic choices have always been so bold and out-there, we feel that her A-list status sometimes overshadows just how strange and daring some of them have been.
 
Here are three films (but there are many more; this is just for starters) you must watch of hers to get a feel for the scope of the woman’s work: BIRTH, PAPERBOY, BABYGIRL. 
 
Her pursuit of complex female characters that know no bounds. And she is dogged in her drive to celebrate them. We can’t help but think that there’s something uniquely Australian in how unreal these choices are and just how much she seems to NGAF. 
 
NICKY IS THE GOAT. 

2. STEVE IRWIN

We have mentioned him before, and we will mention him again. The late and great Aussie showman & television icon.
 
While his fierce croc-wrangling was what elevated him to true “Aussie Icon” status, what we feel is often overlooked was his lifelong dedication to conservation “if we can teach people about wildlife, then we can save it” 
 
The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve is 330,000 acres, made up of a vast mosaic of rainforests, wetlands and savannahs.
 
The Irwin family, including Terri, Bindi & Robert Irwin, have rescued and treated over 90,000 animals at their Australia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital. This number includes thousands of animals affected by the Australian bushfires in 2019-2020. The hospital, which opened in 2004, continues to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native Australian animals.

3. MAGDA SZUBANSKI

In my opinion, Magda is a comic genius. Her characters are the most sublime and hilarious mix of feral & vulnerable, and she’s just so quintessentially Aussie-funny. In 2010, she published a memoir about her upbringing, family history and reflections on life. The Sydney Morning Herald reviewed her memoir, saying "what no one could have predicted was that this reflection on her life would be so sensitive and searching, colourful and vividly composed.”

These pages bring an insight into the mind of a genius, and they tell a common Australian story: one of migrant settlement and the harsh and sometimes dark aspects this can bring to life.

Like many creative minds, part of hers seems to be founded in struggle - it’s no surprise when her characters, like the artist herself, are complex and painted in such hilarious and delightfully disturbing detail.