Television legend Kerri-Anne Kennerley has been inducted into the TV WEEK Logie Awards Hall Of Fame for her unparalled 50 years’ service to Australia television.
The three-time Gold Logie nominee earned a standing ovation at the 59th TV WEEK Logies ceremony as she rose to accept her award, making her only the third woman to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame – Noni Hazlehurst won last year, and Ruth Cracknell was 2001’s choice.
Kerri-Anne and her husband John at tonight’s ceremony.
Kerri-Anne, who began on TV in 1967 as a 13-year-old on the kids show Everybody In, became an industry stalwart for her extended runs hosting such shows as Good Morning Australia, Midday and Mornings, as well as such recent stints on Sunday Night and Dancing With The Stars.
“I have never won a Logie until now,” an emotional Kerri-Anne tells TV WEEK. “I was nominated three times for Gold during the Midday years (1997-99), so to be honoured with this means so much to me.
Kerri-Anne stunned on the red carpet.
“Maybe I’m getting the Hall Of Fame Logie for all those years of getting up so early to appear on TV, and if that’s the case, that’s good enough for me!”
Reflecting on her half century of service to the industry, Kerri-Anne says her career has always been one of running by her wits.
“Television’s been very good to me,” she says.
“I think I have been good at learning, but have always liked doing thing my own way.”
Kerri-Anne’s Hall Of Fame Logie win marked a major personal milestone, as her husband John made his first industry appearance at the 59th TV WEEK Logie Awards ceremony to watch his wife accept her award. John became a quadriplegic last year after suffering a tragic accident, and has been in rehabilitation ever since.
“It’s without question I would not be receiving the Hall Of Fame Logie if it wasn’t for him,” Kerri-Anne says of her beloved husband. “We’re a team and always have been.”
John, who has walked the Logies red carpet with his wife 31 times, proudly lead the accolades after his wife’s win
“I have watched her growth as a professional into one of the best interviewers in this country, let alone the world,” John says.
“As many guests and several prime ministers can attest to, I learned never to underestimate my wife!”
Story by John Burfitt
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