November 2008 News Archive
Mark Holden and Tamsyn Lewis Keep The Seat Warm at Vega 91.5FM over Summer
20 NOVEMBER 2008
Eclectic performer, broadcaster and producer Mark Holden will join athlete Tamsyn Lewis, filling in for vega 91.5fm's Dicko, Dave and Chrissie over summer.
Holden became a household name as a judge on Network Ten's Australian Idol after starting his career as a singer and song writer in the mid 70s and enjoying numerous smash hits. He has appeared in a range of theatrical, acting, singing and producing roles including Shout! The Musical in Melbourne. Holden is also well known for his role as Dr. Greg Mason in the 70's hit television show The Young Doctors.
Mark has developed, produced and launched the careers of numerous artists including Vanessa Amorosi and appeared as a judge and mentor on Network Ten's X Factor.
No stranger to radio, Holden worked alongside Dicko and Chrissie on Nova 100 and filled in for Nova's drive show with Cal Wilson, so is well equipped for the task ahead.
Holden says, "This is a fantastic opportunity and I couldn't think of a better fit. I love radio and I am looking forward to working with Tamsyn on vega in the lead up to Christmas."
Tamsyn Lewis joined Dicko and Dave O'Neil from 10 November this year, filling in for co-host Chrissie Swan while she awaits the birth of her first child.
The World Champion, Triple Commonwealth Gold medalist and dual Olympian track and field athlete, achieved one of her greatest career wins in March 2008 taking out the 800m indoor championship. Never afraid to speak her mind, Lewis made headlines this year when she stated that she would be competing against drug cheats at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
"I am a big fan of the show and working with Dicko and Dave for the last week has been a barrel of laughs. They have such great timing. I'm looking forward to using what they have taught me when Mark and I fill in over summer."
Dicko and Lewis have discovered they have more in common than straight talking with both earning a top three finish in their respective series of the hit series of Seven's Dancing with the Stars.
vega 91.5fm's breakfast with Mark Holden and Tamsyn Lewis kicks off on Monday 24 November.
Dave Smith, vega 91.5fm programming director says, "After 10 months on-air Dicko, Dave and Chrissie are taking a well earned break. Mark and Tamsyn have an enormous amount of energy and are a great choice to keep the breakfast team's seats warm."
Dicko, Dave and Chrissie will return to vega 91.5fm from 14 January 2009.
For further information please contact:
Jane Elliott
dmg Radio Publicist
Ph: (03) 9425 2804
M: 0428 508 628
E: jelliott@dmgradio.com.au
6/11/08- Liz Ellis Nominated for Australian of The Year
Liz Ellis Announced as Finalist in New South Wales Australian of the Year Award
New South Wales finalists for Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero awards were announced today. Liz Ellis was nominated for her achievements alongside a pioneer business woman, an indigenous literacy campaigner, a nurse and a theatre legend.
There are four finalists in each award category and recipients will be announced at the NSW Australian of the Year Awards event on Thursday 27 November 2008 in Sydney. The New South Wales recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national awards. The national awards will be announced on 25 January 2009.
Ms Tam Johnston, Director of the Australian of the Year Awards, said the finalists were selected from more than 3,300 nominations received from across the nation.
"This year, the New South Wales finalists represent many different parts of the community," said Ms Johnston.
"They include quiet contributors, household names and well known achievers but all are either giving back or working to make a difference to others in some way."
The NSW finalists are:
NSW AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Liz Ellis- Netball great
Professor Simon Chapman - Anti-tobacco campaigner (Sydney University)
Layne Beachley- Surfing legend
Glenn McGrath AM - Cricketer and fundraiser (Sutherland Shire)
NSW SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
John Bell AM - Actor and director
June Dally-Watkins OAM - Businesswoman
Dr Catherine Hamlin AC - Fistula surgery pioneer (Wahroonga)
Lorraine Peeters - Stolen Generation supporter (Terranora)
NSW YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Craig Ashby (Gamilaroi) - Indigenous literacy campaigner (Summer Hill)
Daniel Clarke - Entrepreneur and mentor (Blakehurst)
Kurt Fearnley OAM - Paraylmpian (Bar Beach)
Mimi Zou - Community services volunteer (Campsie)
NSW LOCAL HERO
Susan Elder - Nurse and inventor (Westleigh)
John Harper - Mental health advocate (Stockinbingal)
Captain Paul Moulds - Homeless youth supporter (Bondi Junction)
Dr Jamal Rifi - Cultural leader (Belmore)
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Commonwealth Bank's involvement with the Australian of the Year Awards.
For more information of the Australian of the Year Awards visit www.australianoftheyear.org.au
Ends.
Finalist bios attached with this media release or downloadable from www.australianoftheyear.org.au
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Nicole Browne, Media Opps 02 9954 7677 or 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au
Catch Celia Pacquola on Rove Live
Tune into Rove Live this Sunday 9 November to check out stand up comedian Celia Pacquola. Turn your TV to Channel Ten at 8.30 PM.
Check out the line up for this Sunday on Rove Live
Adam, Celia & Paul Stand Up
See Adam Rozenbachs, Celia Pacquola and Paul Calleja perform stand up this Thursday at Dusk Bar 171 Fitzroy Street St Kilda from 8.30 PM.
Get along for a line up of laughs.
19/11/2007 - Netball champion Liz Ellis retires on a high
After a brilliant 18-year career at the top, Ellis announced her retirement, flanked by her Australian team mates, at a welcome home function hosted by major sponsor, GM Holden in Melbourne today.
Revered as a fearless, tenacious and inspirational defender, Ellis leaves the court having achieved every personal and team accolade possible, including World titles, Commonwealth Games gold, national league MVP awards and national league titles with her beloved Sydney TAB Swifts.
The 34-year-old, who is Australia’s most capped player of all time, says the timing feels right.
“Winning the World Championship proved a fairy-tale ending, and at the end of the game I just knew the time was right to finish,” Ellis said.
“I am really privileged for the career I have had and to top it off with a win like this with this great team is the perfect ending.”
Netball Australia President, Noeleen Dix paid tribute to Ellis’ outstanding contribution to the game.
“Liz will be remembered as one of the most brilliant and talented players ever to wear the green and gold. Her thrilling duels, in particular with New Zealand shooter, Irene van Dyk, are legendary,” Dix said.
“She has been an inspirational leader for Australia and the Sydney TAB Swifts and a wonderful role model for so many aspiring players. Loved by the fans, Liz is also highly respected around the world for her outstanding commitment, dedication and passion for the sport throughout an illustrious career.
“The netball community salutes this great athlete and Australian captain on her stellar career.” Dix said.
The Australian captain said her teammates and the camaraderie they shared is what she will miss the most.
“While there are things that I won’t miss – like pre-season, ice baths and fitness testing – I will miss my team-mates and the camaraderie that comes with being involved in great teams like the Swifts and the Australian side. I look forward to starting my post-netball career and to exploring many avenues off court that will utilise the skills I have acquired as a player and a leader in some great sporting teams,” Ellis said.
Amongst the career-highs, Ellis also faced adversity when in November 2005 she injured a knee during a Test match against New Zealand and underwent a knee reconstruction, sidelining her for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
In an amazing sporting comeback, Ellis defied the odds at 33-years-of-age and steered the Sydney TAB Swifts to an historic undefeated season in 2006, won a third Commonwealth Bank Trophy title and claimed the league’s Most Valuable Player Award.
At today’s announcement, Ellis thanked her Australian and Swifts team mates and coaching staff, the fans and the people and organisations that had supported her over the years. Among the organisations acknowledged were her personal sponsors and commercial partners; Dunlop Sport, Nestle, Reliance Gripper Netballs. Whilst thanking Macquarie Bank Sports Foundation and AVON, Ellis indicated she will continue to be involved with these two companies to coach young Australians in the game she loves.
Future:
Beyond netball, Ellis wants to concentrate on her business activities, a soon-to-be-launched charitable foundation and to spend more time with her husband, Matthew.
Having chosen a sport which required the commitment of a professional athlete, but without professional salaries, Ellis was always active outside netball: completing her law degree and working as a solicitor, writing two books, sitting on numerous industry boards, running successful businesses, meeting the needs of sponsors, coaching, guest speaking and working in the media…all while performing at an elite level in her sport.
Liz Ellis heads off shortly for a well-earned break and will holiday overseas before starting the new chapter in her life: beyond netball.