TV weather presenter Jane Bunn, soccer legend Archie Thompson are the new Moomba Monarchs
MOOMBA’S new monarchs have been crowned. Which TV and sports personalities are the 2019 faces of the festival? One, in particular, will be hoping for sunny skies.
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Popular TV weather presenter Jane Bunn and soccer icon Archie Thompson are the 2019 Moomba Monarchs.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp announced the honours at a ceremony near the Yarra River boatsheds this morning.
Bunn, 39, a meteorologist and a maths whiz, started in TV in 2008 at the Weather Channel, and later presented the weather for WIN News Victoria.
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Bunn has been weather presenter for Seven News Melbourne since late 2014, and also appears on 3AW.
Thompson, 40, is one of the most recognisable faces of Australian soccer having been selected for the national team, and had a long career in the A-League for Melbourne Victory.
The New Zealand-born striker has the goal-scoring record for an international match, netting 13 goals in Australia’s 31-0 win against American Samoa in 2001.
Bunn said she was excited and honoured to receive the Moomba accolade.
“As a kid it was most amazing to come out at the weekend and really, really enjoy yourself,” she said.
“It is everything that is about Melbourne, everything that is amazing about Melbourne.”
Asked for a weather prediction for the Moomba Parade on March 11, Bunn said: “Let’s hope there’s lots of sunny skies and just lovely conditions that are very nice for all the different walks of life that are out on the parade. I’ll give you a bit of a heads up closer to the day.”
Bunn said she take on board tips from the British Royal Family when exercising her Moomba duties.
“I’ve been having a look at all the news coverage of what they’ve been doing lately,” she laughed.
Thompson said it was “pretty crazy” to be a Moomba Monarch.
“It’s great to be part of something so big — I’ve had success in this city and this is close to my heart,” he said.
Thompson said he was a big fan of the Birdman Rally
“I actually want to be part of it. I know that last year’s Moomba Monarch (Jimmy Giggle) jumped off. I was keen to do it this year but unfortunately I can’t,” he said.
“But I’ll see if I can do it next year.”
But Thompson said that if any spectators had soccer balls during the parade he would jump off the Monarchs’ float and have a kick.
The Lord Mayor said that a new Monarchs’ float featuring a nod to the Manchester Unity building in Swanston St would be unveiled this year.
“Moomba celebrates Melbourne culture, especially the city’s abundant entertainment and sporting credentials, making Jane and Archie the perfect fit to be wearing the coveted crowns,” she said.
Cr Capp said the Labour Day long weekend festival was expected to attract about 1.3 million people and generate at least $30 million for the economy.
Today’s ceremony included performances by Ukrainian Cossack dancers Lehenda Dance Company and hip-hop outfit L2R.
A group called Boxwars presented space-themed object and performers in suits made from cardboard.
The outgoing Moomba Monarchs are children’s entertainer Jimmy Giggle and radio host Chrissie Swan.
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