It was no surprise last night when Cate Blanchett pick up the Best Actress Oscar for her leading role in ‘Blue Jasmine’. The actress delivered an acceptance speech which put women at the forefront as well as her native Australia.

Cate Blanchett Oscars 2014Cate Blanchett at the Oscars 2014

Taking the stage the Australian actress first joked to the star studded audience to "sit down you’re too old to be standing" and then thanked presenter Daniel Day Lewis saying it "exacerbates this honor" to receive the award from the actor.

She then went on to recognise her fellow nominees, Amy Adams whom she said blew her mind, Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, Judi Dench who wasn’t in attendance and Julia Roberts whom Cate lovingly told to "#suck it". Recognising the longevity of Dame Judi Dench’s career, Cate remarked "she’s not here tonight because at the age of 79, her film was so successful that she’s in India doing a sequel. I mean what a career that is, if I could hope."

Her next thank you was reserved for Woody Allen, who wrote and directed ‘Blue Jasmine’ , the director was thanked for his "extraordinary screenplay" as well as for casting the actress. However expected, her nod to Allen will not be without some controversy, as the actresses' Oscar campaign was nearly derailed over Allen’s stepdaughter Dylan Farrow accusations of sexual abuse towards the director.

Cate then swiftly moved on to deliver the ‘message’ of her speech, championing female centred films and slamming old fashioned ideas that they are a niche market. Thanking the films distributors Sony Classics for their support of the film, the actress said, "for so bravely and intelligently distributing the film and to the audiences who went to see it and perhaps those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences. They are not. Audiences want to see them and, in fact, they earn money." Further referring the perceived some what old fashioned ideas of Hollywood she also exclaimed, "the world is round, people."

The actresses' family were also not forgotten, with her mother, sister, brother and three sons getting a thank you along with her husband, playwright Andrew Upton. She also paid tribute to her co-star Sally Hawkins as well as the make up team on ‘Blue Jasmine’, whom Cate said, "sweated me up and tried to make me look attractive."

Cate Blanchett Oscars 2014Cate wowed the red carpet in this Armani gown.

Finally the actress went back to her roots and acknowledged "every single member of the Sydney Theatre Company". The actress began her career on stage in Australia over twenty years ago and has returned to theatre in her home country appearing for the Sydney Theatre Company in seven productions over the last ten years. Recognising her homeland’s acting talented she ended her speech by saying "there is so much talent in Australia and Michael Wilkinson and C.M. and I are just tonight’s tip of the iceberg."

Blanchett was ‘Blue Jasmine’s’ only winner on the night with Sally Hawkins missing out on best supporting actress to ’12 Years A Slave’s’ Lupita Nyong’o and Woody Allen failing to pick up best original screenplay.