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“It has been the most spectacular job”: Kochie has left the building

There were tears, farewell videos, family, Mel Doyle, Sam Armytage and a special card from Dame Julie Andrews as Kochie signed off at Brekkie Central.

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A tearful David Koch signed off his final edition of Sunrise this morning surrounded by family, colleagues, former hosts, and the Cash Cow.

“Kochie” as he known in households across the country, wrapped a stellar run of nearly 21 years on air, with highlights, music tributes and a congaline of video farewells including Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, Sam Fischer, Guy Sebastian, Peking Duk, Daryl Braithwaite, Delta Goodrem, Amy Shark and there was a card from Dame Julie Andrews.

In attendance were wife Libby, children and grandchildren, Natalie Barr, Melissa Doyle and Sam Armytage, the Sunrise team of Mark Beretta, Edwina Bartholomew, Sam Mac and crew.

 

The final show also included guests PM Anthony Albanese, Beaconsfield survivors Brant Webb and Todd Russell, Joe Hockey & Kevin Rudd and international superstar & accordionist Hans.

Kochie said, “It has been the most spectacular job, been the biggest venture. I’ve loved it. I couldn’t have done it alone, and I didn’t do it alone.

“It’s a life that I have loved and I am incredibly proud of. I love working with the people that I work with, and not sitting next to you (Natalie Barr) every day is going to be a massive adjustment.”

He added, “Our viewers, you got us, you got our sense of humor, you got what we stood for. I keep saying, excuse me kids, what we do is sort of a bullshit job compared with paramedics and healthcare workers and first responders. But if we can bring a bit of joy to your life, if we can inform you, entertain you every day, and do some good, I think that’s what we’re here about. And that is the heart of Sunrise.”

Melissa Doyle: “The relationship with the viewers, the laughs, the crazy things that we did, fun things that we did, but we got to do it all under the radar. Remember the ROS Wall? You would write topics, we would read emails. We sang, it wascrazy. I think we got to do it in a way that was so natural for eervey single person, and all of us as a team.  … Everyone has said it all morning, Kochie, but the fact it was always about the viewers. We were so aware right from the beginning, we weren’t there for us, we were there for everyobody at home watching. We had an incredible platform that we could do something with, and we did.”

Sam Armytage: “There were so many highlights but what I wanted to say to you today is that this job is so incredibly difficult and -you can’t say it when you’re in the job because no one wants to hear you complaining- but when you’re not in the job anymore you can say how hard this is. There is so much scrutiny, to get up day after day and do this, the resilience, the drive, the ability, the energy to just keep coming in here every day and do that is extraordinary.  I absolutely salute you. …after eight years, I couldn’t do it anymore. 21, I just think is extraordinary.”

 

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18 Responses

  1. It was a really really nice sendoff. All the tributes and everything. Was so good to see Mel back too. Those two started it all when push came to it. Hans and the choir too, got me. That was a moment. Its the end of a very long era for breakfast television. Will be interesting to see where the show goes next with Nat and Shirvo going forward. Best of luck Kochie.

  2. That was a beautiful send off. I’ll miss Kochie. Whatever you thought of him, 21 years in the same job is amazing! I’ve been in mine for 27 years and no way would I get a send off like that! Hahaha!

  4. Was there any message or appearance from Grant Denyer? Considering that they bought back Mel Doyle and Sam Armitage, its surprising that one of their longest running weathermen, who also started quite early on with Kochie and Mel, wouldn’t want to send his well-wishes.

  6. I moved from Sunrise to ABC news breakfast when Mel Doyle departed, but the Kochie and Mel era was really something special. They (and Adam Boland) realy changed the face of breakfast TV in this country. Good luck for what comes next, Kochie.

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