Daryl Somers named Victorian of the Year

Nostalgic Hey Hey it’s Saturday host Daryl Somers has been named Victorian of the Year at a ceremony this morning at Melbourne Town Hall.

Victoria Day awards go to those individuals and groups who have made significant and valuable contributions to Victorian communities.

Chairman of the Victoria Day Council, Marissa Barter-Walters said, “Victoria Day is a day to take joy and pride in what our state has given us, I am so delighted as Chair of the Victoria Day Council that we can honour those Victorians and Victorian Organisations who have given so much to serve the people of our community and out State. Our Award winners have all shown ‘Public and Community Service: at the highest levels and we are excited to share their achievements with all Victorians.'”

Daryl Somers is a triple Gold Logie award winner who rose to national fame as the host and executive producer of Hey Hey It’s Saturday and later hosted Dancing with the Stars to stellar ratings. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 2004.

His ticketing company “StageCenta” has dedicated 10% of profits to Victorian charities. He currently supports Camp Quality, a charity for children with terminal illness and has dedicated patronage for several other Cancer related charities. He hosts the “Great Shakeup,” an education and infotainment event of silent auctions and other fund raising.

Somers is Patron of Kids Under Cover that supports street kids in Melbourne and Sydney, the Yarrabah Special school for children with disabilities, the Lost Dogs Home in North Melbourne. He also supports the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, Wayjo‖, and Generations in Jazz which operates in Victoria and New South Wales.

At the start of 2024 Daryl Somers indicated that he intends to spend less time in his role as an entertainer, and concentrate on his philanthropic work.

This post updates.

Photo: Seven