The Source: Tina Arena’s shocking ARIA Award show snub

Music legend Tina Arena has revealed she suffered a “deplorable” snub by the organisers of the ARIA Awards show — but could it be payback?

Tina Arena with one of her seven ARIA awards.

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

Seven-time ARIA Award winner and all-round legend Tina Arena has revealed she couldn’t snag an invite to the 2023 ARIA Awards.

The shocking snub surfaced after Melbourne singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch put up an Insta-post about her ARIAs pre-show preparation.

“I’m here as a guest of my ever patient record company because… if I really am going to release (a) new album next year, it might be high time to throw myself back in the fray?”

Arena, who took home four ARIA trophies for her classic album Don’t Ask, posted in response: “Enjoy it darling, you should absolutely be there. I didn’t even get an invite.”

A surprised Bowditch replied: “Well, Tina A, you have a VIP pass in perpetuity. Surely?! Legend!”

Others were gobsmacked at Arena’s omission.

“Tina Arena, that is absolutely f---ing deplorable,” said one. “Welcome to the Aussie music industry.”

Tina Arena has revealed she couldn’t get an invite to the ARIAs. Picture: Mark Stewart

This year’s awards ceremony happened in Sydney on Wednesday night, with Troye Sivan, Genesis Owusu and Kylie Minogue the big winners.

By not inviting Tina Arena to the music industry celebrations, ARIA was the loser.

Arena sparked controversy earlier this year when she alleged some record labels pay radio stations to play an artist’s music.

On the Time To Talk podcast with broadcaster Sean Sennett, Arena claimed: “Radio is all about money. If a record company is prepared to pay, you’ll get played. If you’re not prepared to do that, forget it, the door’s shut.

“It’s a filthy approach to business. I can tell you some conversations I’ve been privy to that would make your toes curl. But I’m not going to pay a radio station to play my music.”

Was Arena’s non-invite to the Australian Recording Industry Association Awards, record company payback?

Watch this space.

Has the eagle landed for Dan’s golfing dream?

The ex-premier’s dreams of a golfing odyssey this summer on the Mornington Peninsula appear to be fading fast.

But there may be hope.

The Source has canvassed a number of exclusive golf clubs around Melbourne about the prospects for a new member who plays off a handicap of less than 10.

The Source rang some of Victoria’s top golf clubs, including the Royal Melbourne, Peninsula Kingswood Country, Yarra Yarra, Metropolitan, National and Commonwealth.

The question?

“Would your club welcome Daniel Michael Andrews, 51, of Mulgrave, into the fold?”

The former premier plays off a handicap of less than 10. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Some were not available. Others had no comment. Most did not respond.

However, Warwick Hill-Rennie, the general manager at the Victoria Golf Club in Cheltenham, said: “My view, always, is respect the office, and judge the person on their merits. Mr Andrews is a great supporter of golf and he’s a passionate golfer. He’s also tremendously supportive of developing the Victorian golf scene.”

Mr Hill-Rennie said Andrews “would be most welcome here.”

The only catch? A waiting list.

In the meantime, might Andrews, a long-time member at Kingston Heath, entertain other golfing options?

How about Waverley Pitch & Putt, in Mulgrave?

The benefits are manifest, and not only because Pitch & Putt’s facilities, according to its website, are “second to none”.

It’s close to home.

And unlike Portsea, where some members have planned to blackball a mooted membership application by Andrews, $40 buys any and all golfers an all-day green fee at Pitch & Putt.

As the bloke who answered the Pitch & Putt phone said:

“He’s welcome. There’s no discrimination here, mate.”

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