Clooney, Jackman, Minogue: Spreading Christmas Charity

It was a whirlwind tour, and it had nothing to do with a movie. George Clooney's recent talk at Sydney's Leadership Convention was all about making the world a slightly better place. Speaking with the likes of Martha Stewart, music magnate Russell Simmons and Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, Clooney looked to raise support for tackling the world's war criminals through funding satellites to keep track of their actions. According to The Daily Telegraph, Clooney made the point of asking "why can you Google my house, and not Google war criminals' homes. It seems like these guys should be afforded the same amount of celebrity as I am. That seemed fair."

Such altruism is simply an extension of Clooney's work with Not On Our Watch, which he founded alongside Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon and others. A celebrity power-house of a group, it looks to raise awareness of human rights abuses in the world's trouble-spots. In a final move of goodwill, Clooney donated his talking fee of $600,000 to the organisation.

Other celebs who care

Celebrity charity is not a rare thing. Angelina Jolie's work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador or Bono's endless parade of humanitarian causes quickly come to mind. It's easy, however, to forget to take note of the work of Australia's stars. Charity begins at home, and this festive season it's a great place to look.

Hugh Jackman, currently making waves in New York with his show Back on Broadway, is no stranger to generosity. Through appeals to the audience, Jackman has raised more than $800,000 during the show. The money goes to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which supports those suffering from HIV and AIDS. Jackman's efforts were made especially effective by his habit of shedding his clothes and auctioning off his undershirts – sometimes for up to $10,000. A few such garments may become silly holiday presents, but the money raised goes to a good cause and spreads some much needed Christmas cheer to those who need it.

Meanwhile, recent inductee into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Kylie Minogue, has made sure that her electric presence isn't wasted. Earlier this month she donated her car, a Lexus with her signature stitched into the headrests, to an auction in London. It raised around $44,500 at the auction, with all money going to NSPCC – an organisation devoted to the protection of children. At the event, Minogue said "I would just like to say a huge thank you to the generous bidder."

Then, there's the McGrath Foundation. Started by Jane and Glen McGrath – Glen of cricketing fame – the foundation has a habit of turning whole stadiums pink in awareness of breast cancer. Emerging out of the tragedy of Jane's battle with cancer, the Foundation's primary goal is to fund and support breast care nurses.

With the season of giving well and truly here, it seems celebrities are getting in on the act!

Image courtesy of Adriana M. Barraza/ WENN.com

More on these stars

George Clooney to actors: Quit the complaining
Jackman is Broadway's Top Dog
Kylie Minogue in London