Lynne McGranger wins Gold Logie
Allanah Sciberras |
Australian television royalty Lynne McGranger has claimed the coveted Gold Logie, a fitting finish to an awards night dominated by the country’s leading women.
It marks a milestone year for the 72-year-old, who stepped away from her iconic role as Irene Roberts on the cult-hit Home and Away in March, ending a decades-long chapter in Australian TV history.
Former winner Rebecca Gibney presented the award to McGranger, who said she was “thrilled and honoured”.
Six other TV personalities were vying for the Gold Logie – 2023 winner Sonia Kruger, Ten’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris, ABC’s Lisa Millar, MasterChef Australia’s Poh Ling Yeow, A Current Affair host Ally Langdon and two-time Gold Logie winner Hamish Blake, host of Lego Masters, who had been urging Australia not to vote for him.
“I want to acknowledge all the other nominees, all the beautiful, fierce women of all ages. And I am the eldest! If you live as long as I do, it’s fantastic. And of course, lovely Hamish,” she said moments after accepting the award, beaming with emotion.
“This show has been kept afloat because of the wonderful writers and the wonderful production. Yeah, it is a soap but you know what? It gives Australia’s actors and crew so much work, and we are so proud of it. 38 years, the bloody thing has been going for. It just won’t die. Fantastic.”
McGranger, who earlier in the evening received her first ever statue for Best Lead Actress in a Drama, jokingly admitted she would follow through on her pre-awards promise, to carry the Gold Logie in her bag if she won.
Industry stalwart Magda Szubanski also took centre stage at the awards on Sunday – via video – as she was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame.
The beloved comedian and actor recently revealed her diagnosis of stage four blood cancer and was unable to attend the awards.
True to form, Szubanski worked her audience with tears and laughs as she accepted her honour in a pre-recorded speech, adding her award was in no way due to her cancer.
“I am getting this because of 40 years of hard work. Lobbying, bribing, threatening, whatever it took, whatever it took. Finally it has all paid off,” she said.
She ended her speech by removing her beanie to reveal a clean-shaven head and joking she had her “hair done specifically so it would match” her Gold Logie.
“The Australian TV industry is a terrific industry to work in and it is chock-a-block full of really good people, a few rogues but mostly really good people,” she said.
Szubanski, best known for her beloved role as Sharon Strzelecki in the comedy series Kath & Kim, received a standing ovation.
Fisk was one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home five Logie Awards, including Best Scripted Comedy Program.
Kitty Flanagan clinched the Silver Logie for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy, while Glenn Butcher claimed Best Supporting Actor, and Aaron Chen won the Silver Logie for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy.
Julia Zemiro rounded out the sweep with the Silver Logie for Best Supporting Actress.
Best Drama Program went to ABC’s Return to Paradise, while Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar took out Best Miniseries or Telemovie.
Tennis star Jelena Dokic also delivered an emotional acceptance speech after winning the Logie for Best Factual or Documentary Program for Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story.
Based on her book of the same name, the powerful documentary traces Dokic’s journey from refugee to tennis champion, while confronting the trauma of her abusive relationship with her father.
Journalist Ally Langdon was all smiles as she accepted the inaugural Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Presenter.
The award was presented by Martin, who said he was honoured to be recognised with the tribute, adding he had never seen journalism more under siege than it is today.
Gold Logie nominee Langdon, who hosts Nine’s A Current Affair, thanked the media veteran for his service to news in Australia.
Langdon was also part of the Channel Nine team that won the Logie for Best Sports Coverage for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Travel Guides claimed its fourth Logie, taking out the award for Best Lifestyle Program, while LEGO Masters was named Best Competition Reality Program.
New Zealand comedian and Guy Mont Spelling Bee host Guy Montgomery won the coveted Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent.
Iconic rocker Jimmy Barnes earlier kicked off the night in true style with a powerhouse performance of his hit Working Class Man, before settling in for opening remarks from returning host Sam Pang.
Pang, hosting for the third consecutive year, didn’t miss a beat.
“It’s inspiring that with the world in as much turmoil as it is right now, that we as an industry have not wavered in our commitment and bravery in coming together tonight to honour ourselves,” he said.
He went on to congratulate and roast each nominee for the coveted Gold Logie and some of the commercial networks’ biggest stars – from The Voice host Sonia Kruger to 20-year Today Show veteran Karl Stefanovic and former talk show queen Kerri-Anne Kennerley.
Bluey was an early winner, taking the Logie for the Best Children’s Program.
The 65th Logie Awards was broadcast on the Seven Network.
AAP
