The Logies to head north after Victorian Government pulls funding

JUST as Ray Meagher did to his Gold Logie in 2010, Melbourne has kissed goodbye to Australian television’s night of nights. Western Sydney is one alternative location gaining momentum.

Ray Meagher (Home and Away’s Alf Stewart) kisses his Gold Logie win in 2010.

• Celebrate Sydney’s waterways with festival
• King of pies could head to the Hills

AUSTRALIAN television’s night of nights could end up in western Sydney.

The Logies has spent 30 years in Melbourne but the Victorian Government has pulled its $1 million in funding. The event’s future is now looking like it will head north.

While it is understood the Queensland Government has its sights set on hosting the event, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has come out this week declaring western Sydney the perfect location.

“I’d love to see the Logies come to western Sydney, in fact, I don’t see why Parramatta or Penrith can’t host the Logies,” Ms Berejiklian told media earlier this week.

“I’ll see what’s involved but I don’t see why we shouldn’t put up our hand.”

This follows on from Destination NSW’s push earlier this year for regional NSW to benefit.

It submitted an expression of interest to hold the Logies in Tamworth in 2018, followed by Dubbo in 2018 and Albury in 2020.

Sydney Business Chamber western Sydney director David Borger. Picture: Phillip Rogers

Sydney Business Chamber western Sydney director David Borger said Parramatta was ready for the job.

“It’s great that Parramatta is on the list for lots of things. It wouldn’t have been there 10 years ago.

“You couldn’t put a price tag on the Logies coming to Parramatta,” he said.

Excited about the possibility, Mr Borger said the event had the potential of changing the perception of the area.

He said Rosehill Racecourse would have a similar feel to Crown Melbourne, the events current location or Riverside Theatre could look at a cocktail party and seated event.

Ray Martin was born in Richmond.

“To build a successful city there needs to be momentum ... this is one way of showing the people the city is changing.” He said the benefits to the region would trickle down.

“Firstly it’s about hotel bed nights but it’s really about projecting to the stars and audience around the country, Parramatta has grown up and can host these interesting events. And can pull it off.”

The function space would need to accommodate 1100 people as well as accommodation for the night and be easy to access by road or air.

Tourism and Major Events Minister said NSW would take the event to the next level.

“Whether it’s western Sydney, southern Sydney or regional NSW ... we’d love to see them held in NSW in 2018 and beyond,” he said.

In Natalie Bassingthwaite’s younger years she worked at Wonderland Sydney, Eastern Creek.

NSW Government has submitted an Expression of Interest to the event organiser to hold the Logies in three Regional NSW locations — Tamworth in 2018, and Dubbo and Albury in the two following years, however we’re always open to other options.”

LOGIE HISTORY

1960: The Logie Awards becomes an annual event celebrating Australian television

1961: Televised for the first time and held at the Chevron-Hilton Hotel, Sydney

1962: First female star wins a Gold Logie

1976: First fictional character wins a Logie — Norman Gunston

1984: Hall of Fame Logie introduced

2010: Ray Meagher (Home and Away ’s Alf Stewart) named oldest person to win the Gold Logie

2016: Nominations accepted via the digital world

WESTERN SYDNEY GOLD LOGIE NOMINEES

● Ray Martin was born in Richmond. He was nominated in 1998.

● Don Burke now lives in the Hills. He was nominated in 2000.

● Delta Goodrem grew up in the Hills. She was nominated in 2004.

● Bec Cartwright lives in the Hills. She was nominated in 2005.

● Natalie Bassingthwaite worked at Wonderland Sydney, Eastern Creek. She was nominated in 2006.

● Rachael Carpani grew up in Dural. She was nominated in 2007.