Statement On Passing Of Bert Newton

VIC Premier

Bert Newton was an icon, a larrikin and a born entertainer.

We have never known TV without Bert – he was there from the beginning.

From black and white to colour – as TV changed, Bert endured.

He lived his life on the silver screen – and we welcomed his wit and humour into our homes.

As we reflect on his legacy in the coming days, we’ll all be reminded of his legendary partnerships with Graham Kennedy and Don Lane.

For so many, those partnerships are as inseparable as they are memorable.

He brought the Logies to life during TV’s golden era. And while TV was always his anchor, Bert was also a star on radio and the stage – performing in some of our most iconic musicals including Phantom of the Opera and the Rocky Horror Picture Show among others.

But above all his achievements, he was a family man and his greatest partnership was with his wife of almost 50 years, Patti.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her, their children and their grandchildren.

We will all have an opportunity to honour his memory, his talent and his achievements at a state funeral – details will be shared in the coming days.

Bert will live on in the memories of an entire generation.

Gone, but never forgotten.

Vale Bert Newton.

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