State Funeral Service for Bert Newton to air Friday, November 12
• Newton passed away on October 30, aged 83, after a long health battle
The State Funeral Service for Bert Newton will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne and broadcast live from 9.30am AEDT this Friday, November 12. The service will be covered live by Nine, Seven, and 10.
On Nine, Tony Jones and Alicia Loxley will host the special broadcast live.
Michael Healy, Nine’s director of television, said: “Bert Newton was a giant of our industry, entertaining generations of Australians across our television screens. He brought unbridled joy and laughter into our homes as part of so many programs, partnerships and formats. He was loved by us all at Nine and we wish Patti, Lauren, Matt and their families our sincere condolences at this sad time.”
On Seven, following coverage on Sunrise across the morning, The Morning Show’s Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur will co-anchor Seven’s broadcast.
A special edition of Seven’s Morning News will immediately follow the service, featuring the poignant highlights from the funeral as well as the day’s other headlines from both Australia and abroad.
On 10, coverage starts live from 8:00AM AEDT, with the full service streamed on Studio 10 and 10 News First’s Facebook and YouTube.
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A legend of Australian television, Newton passed away on October 30, aged 83, after a long health battle.
Born on July 23, 1938 in North Fitzroy, he was one of six children. He was very close to his mother, Gladys, who died in 1981. His father, Joseph, served in World War II, returning when Bert was seven years old and died in 1950 when Bert was 11.
That same year Bert went along to the Melbourne 3XY radio studios to watch a broadcast of the Peter’s Ice Cream Peter’s Pals program and was captivated by the magic of entertainment.
He made his radio debut shortly after on the same 3XY show. When he left school, St. Joseph’s Marist Brothers in North Fitzroy, Bert was given a full-time job with 3XY as a turntable operator. Impressed by his talent and enthusiasm, the management put him on air as an announcer. He was just 15 years of age.
