Why Molly Meldrum is a beloved national treasure

Whether he’s talking to Madonna, Kylie or the staff at Coles, Molly Meldrum will always bring joy — and that’s why he’s been beloved for decades.

I first met Molly Meldrum in person back in 2003 the day after he was roasted as part of a special on Channel 9 that went terribly wrong.

Molly Meldrum: Toasted and Roasted was an appalling piece of television and so offensive to the great man himself.

I remember being backstage with Delta’s Goodrem’s mother Lea and the feeling was unease and awkwardness, instead of a time of celebration and laughter as it should have been.

The next day, as a young entertainment reporter at the Herald Sun, I was in the Birdcage reporting on Derby Day and Molly was there and the terrible roast was the biggest story of the day.

Molly Meldrum interviews Elton John on Countdown in 1979. Picture: ABC TV

I was so nervous to finally meet him, and probably not in the ideal situation as my direction from the bosses at work was to get the story in his words.

I was literally meeting my journalism idol for the first time.

Like many Australians in their forties, I had grown up with Molly not so much because of Countdown, but because of his must watch weekly music segment on Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

After finally getting the courage to approach him in one of the marquees at Flemington, he could not have been more lovely.

Molly Meldrum is always willing to compliment and give advice. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ever since then like many other journalists in Melbourne, we have had a wonderful relationship with many laughs, stories told and probably a few tears along the way.

Some of my favourites moment include hanging out in the same corner at Love Machine in Prahran in its’ heyday in the mid 2000s most Sunday nights far too late, when things were said they should never get to print.

Or when he hosted a breakfast for a triumphant Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins in 2004, but the problem was we were all so hungover from the night before where an impromtu party was held at Boutique nightclub that went too late.

One of the most beautiful things I love about Molly and others in the Melbourne media will tell you this, he is always willing to compliment you and give you advice, and you can call him at any time.

This can be a rare thing in the cutthroat world of media.

He will also ring you just for a chat and hello, when things might be a bit rough and you always hang up the phone and end up smiling.

So many treasured chats have been had over the years.

Kylie Minogue is one of many Molly Meldrum fans.

His parties back in the day at his Richmond house, including the annual Christmas party, were so much fun, and he was so generous with his hospitality as everyone had the best time.

Many visits to the house included Molly playing his latest favourite new artist, always an Australian artist who he wanted to promote and succeed.

The thing I love about Molly is he will talk to anyone.

Whether it’s royalty, Madonna, Kylie, or Bono, or the local supermarket worker at Coles in Richmond, he never discriminates.

He has an incredible love of sports and history, he is a fantastic and unique storyteller.

His support for his beloved St Kilda and Melbourne Storm is legendary, as well as his patronage of major events in Melbourne over the years.

He is one of a kind

Molly deserves so many congratulations on his 80th birthday, he is a national treasure and we all love him dearly.

Happy Birthday Molly, I hope you have the most wonderful day.