Woman of the Year ... Germaine Greer. Photo: Channel NineSYDNEY (Sydney Morning Herald), December 3, 2007:
GERMAINE GREER may look back on 2007 as the year she became an unlikely pin-up with Australia's men's magazines. The 68-year-old feminist has beaten the former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins to be named FHM magazine's woman of the year in their 2007 Bloke Awards.
Greer, who was also chosen ahead of the Summer Heights High character Ja'mie King, played by comedian Chris Lilley, took out the award for being unafraid to speak the truth.
"Steve Irwin's death was ironic comedy? It was! Princess Di was little more than a media whore? She was! She's like a brilliantly grumpy pop culture truth rod," the magazine said of Greer.
She became the poster girl for Zoo Weekly's search for Australia's sexiest feminist, which featured a naked photo of Greer.
"Germaine's not adverse to taking her clothes off, I mean she was very hot in the '60s when she stripped down to her bra and knickers to pose," Zoo's editor, Paul Merrill, said in September. "We've got a picture of Germaine completely naked and I think she looks great."
Hawkins should not feel too disappointed in losing out to Greer. Her Lovable underwear ads took the gong for best advertisement.
The awards also honoured comedian Hamish Blake, who nabbed the man-of-the-year award ahead of fellow comedian Dave Hughes and disgraced footballer Ben Cousins. The magazine said blokes preferred to talk about women than sport this year, and Britney Spears's comeback was named the biggest disappointment.
The Gold Coast band Operator Please might have won an ARIA for Just A Song About Ping Pong, but the magazine called it the worst song of 2007.
The awards also declared chicken the meat of the year, beating perennial favourites bacon and beef.
AAP
