David Helfgott, the concert pianist immortalised in Shine, awarded OAM for service to performing arts

Renowned Australian concert pianist David Helfgott has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service to the performing arts following a career spanning seven decades.

Helfgott, who lives in New South Wales’ Bellinger Valley, was the subject of the Academy award-winning 1996 biopic Shine.

His wife Gillian said he was over the moon with the recognition.

“It’s an extraordinary honour for David,” she said.