On a recent trip to Sydney, Keith he told reporters: "This year is the start of us spending more time here. It’s great we both have family here and are getting to the point where we have more ability to come back more often."

Nicole’s two adopted children live with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, although they agreed joint custody when they divorced.

While the actress never converted to Scientology, the children have been brought up as strict adherents.

"It makes sense that Tom has Isabella and Connor living with him rather than the mother," the friend said. "The kids are so deeply immersed in their Scientology studies that their schedules are jam-packed."

Nicole is expected to remain in Sydney for up to eight months filming Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, while Keith is due to head back out on the road soon on his world tour.

Nicole ’donates thousands’ to charity - April 10 2007
Nicole Kidman has reportedly donated thousands of dollars to a campaign against domestic violence.

The actress has also agreed to chair a benefit gala for the event, which is headed by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, reports the Daily Mirror.

Celebrity columnist Liz Smith, of the New York Post, reported: "Nicole Kidman has advised the Mayor she will again be the chair of September’s Fete de Swifty.

"She included a 25,000 dollar cheque with her agreement to serve."

The annual gala raises money for the Mayor’s Fund To Advance New York City, which builds shelters for the city’s victims of domestic abuse.

Nicole, 39, has been a staunch supporter of the cause and chaired the event last year.

The star was also appointed UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador in January 2006. The role means raising awareness of the infringement of women’s human rights around the world, but is particularly focused on ending violence against women.

Nicole wants to speak through her art - Mar 6 2007
Nicole Kidman wishes people would focus on her acting - not her private life.

The flame-haired beauty - who is married to country singer Keith Urban and was once hitched to Tom Cruise - says she would rather speak through her art than her A-list private life.

"You look at somebody’s work as an actor and you can see their emotional life being fed into it. That’s far more interesting than anything I could say about where I’m at or who I’m with," she says.

"It’s good to have a little distance. If you discuss your love life too much, it just damages it."

The star also admits she and hubby Keith Urban - who has had spells in rehab - have been forced to "dig deep".

"Three months into our marriage we had to dig really deep and that’s what we are doing," she confessed.

But being in a relationship with another artist can be a support structure, Nicole adds.

She says: "I think there is a reason people who are artistic are drawn to each other, there is an inherent understanding. But at the same time you don’t choose who you fall in love with."

Kidman opens her heart to Crowe - Feb 24 2007
Nicole Kidman opened up about marriage and kids to friend Russell Crowe on Oprah Winfrey’s televised Oscar special on Thursday night.

When Russell asked her about her marriage to country singer Keith Urban, the 39-year-old actress replied, "Keith is doing very well We’ve been through a lot."