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Nine toasts and roasts Jo Hall

Nine News threw a party for veteran presenter Jo Hall last night to pay tribute to her 35 years at the network.

2014-06-11_2314Nine News threw a party for veteran presenter Jo Hall last night to pay tribute to her 35 years at the network.

Hall was joined by family members including her 98 year old father Tom, sister, and 3 of her 4 children.

Sports presenter Tony Jones hosted the proceedings, joined by anchor Peter Hitchener. Both shared their memories of working with Hall, including plenty of references to her zoo stories with baby gorilla Mzuri.

GTV9 managing director Ian Paterson represented Nine management with a speech about her professionalism.

2014-06-11_2314aIn attendance were network Head of News and Current Affairs Darren Wick, presenters Alicia Loxley, Clint Stanaway, and reporters including Laura Turner and Seb Costello.

Hall was surprised with a performance from The Voice contestant Jackson Thomas singing an INXS / Righteous Brothers medley -she is a big INXS fan.

But it was Tony Jones whose gags skated close to the red light warning making light of Hall’s appearance and seniority and even reflected on a misfired date they shared many years ago following a John Farnham concert. It was perhaps more roasting than toasting, but a nervous Hall took it in her stride. He ended by noting she was never one to have a bad word about anybody or partake in office gossip.

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When she finally took to the microphone, Hall thanked her colleagues, noting her 35 year friendship with Peter Hitchener and telling Tony Jones he was the only one who could get away with such humour.

She noted support from CEO David Gyngell, who had sent flowers, and local news director Hugh Nailon who was responsible for “the happiest newsroom I’ve ever worked in.”

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