Australian Legends 2018 of TV Entertainment

Date of Issue : 18 January 2018

The Australia Post Australian Legends Award recognises individuals who have shaped Australian society and identity in a variety of positive ways. In 2018, Australia Post honours five much-loved television entertainers. These consummate performers have entertained, informed and delighted generations of Australians, transfixing television audiences across the country. Together they encompass a range of remarkable talents, from serious journalism to variety hosting, interviewing, singing, acting and comedy.

$1 Daryl Somers

Daryl Somers OAM (b. 1951) rose to prominence as the host and producer of Australia’s longest-running and most successful comedy/variety show, “Hey Hey It’s Saturday”, which ran for 30 years. Daryl has hosted, produced and performed across many different genres from game, reality and variety shows to special events, amassing 31 TV Week Logies, including three Gold, spanning a 50-year career.

$1 Denise Drysdale

Denise Drysdale (b. 1948), affectionately known as “Ding Dong”, began her television career as a 10-year-old on GTV 9’s “Tarax Show”. She has appeared on numerous television shows and is currently co-host of the Network Ten morning program “Studio 10”. Drysdale has won two TV Week Gold Logies for Most Popular Female Personality on Australian television.

$1 Bert Newton AM MBE

A pioneer of Australian television, Bert Newton AM MBE (b. 1938) started out in the late 1950s hosting “The Late Show” (HSV 7). His many television roles include regular appearances on Graham Kennedy’s “In Melbourne Tonight” and “The Don Lane Show” and host of “New Faces” (Nine Network) and “Good Morning Australia” (Network Ten). Newton has been awarded four TV Week Gold Logies and in 1988 was inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame.

$1 Kerri-Anne Kennerley

Singer, actor and host Kerri-Anne Kennerley (b. 1953) is best known for hosting “Good Morning Australia” on Network 10, and “Midday” and “Kerri-Anne” on the Nine Network. In 2017, Kennerley was inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame.

$1 Ray Martin AM

Ray Martin (b. 1944) began as a journalist with the ABC and was its North American correspondent for almost a decade. In 1978 he launched “60 Minutes” for Nine Network, followed by hosting roles on “A Current Affair”, “Midday with Ray Martin” and numerous specials. Among his many awards, he has received an Order of Australia along with five TV Week Gold Logies.