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Melbourne fetes Dame Edna


The World Today - Wednesday, 23 August , 2006  12:42:00

Reporter: Samantha Donovan

ELEANOR HALL: Now to a superstar who has maintained her popularity over 50 years in show business.

To mark her half-century today, Dame Edna Everage is being feted in her hometown of Melbourne.

Australia's favourite housewife and self-described icon, has been presented with the key to the city this morning by Melbourne Lord Mayor John So.

Our reporter, Samantha Donovan was there.

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, Dame Edna Everage.

(Sounds of applause and music)

JOHN SO: Today we are here to honour Melbourne's first lady. On behalf of the city of Melbourne, I present you with a key to the city.

EDNA EVERAGE: Isn't it (inaudible). If I was anyone else, I'd be lost for words.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Looking as glamorous as always - this time in fuchsia pink sequins - Dame Edna took to the stage outside the Melbourne Town Hall to receive the key to the city.

Dame Edna Everage, or Mrs Norm Everage as she was then, first took to the stage at the University of Melbourne in 1955 in a skit on housing for the Melbourne Olympics.

Her career took off and by the 1970's she was hosting her own TV specials. In 1973, she appeared on the ABC's PM program.

EDNA EVERAGE: How do you do everybody? This is Dame Edna Everage, housewife, superstar, talking to you on PM, a delightful little ABC program, which I believe, Tony, goes out to the country centres too.

HOST: Yes, Mrs Everage that...

EDNA EVERAGE: Dame Edna, if I may.

HOST: I beg your pardon.

EDNA EVERAGE: I think if you've been made a dame, it's nice to be addressed correctly, particularly by young men.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Formerly a mere megastar, the Moonee Ponds housewife has since risen to self-professed "gigastardom".

Her glittering theatrical and television career, taking her from her humble Melbourne origins to the theatres and studios of London and New York, gaudy glasses, glitter and gladioli always on show.

Dame Edna reminisced this morning.

EDNA EVERAGE: 50 years have passed, I've passed through many stages; I've been through denim, I've been through Thai silk.

I've pioneered so many styles and fashions, I've met pretty well everyone of importance in the world, I've been everywhere and I still feel so strongly about Melbourne.

I won't say I still call Australia home, that's a little bit of a cliche isn't it? And whoever thought that Peter Allen meant it for one minute?

(Sounds of laughing)

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Dame Edna often reminds us that she has been a trailblazer for other Australian entertainers including Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman.

And two Melbournians with similarly humble suburban beginnings were also there today to pay tribute to Dame Edna.

Fountain Lakes own Kath and Kim.

EDNA EVERAGE: Look at this media turnout.

KATH: Oh, well it's nice, isn't it? It's unusual isn't it?

EDNA EVERAGE: When you're successful, you will have a reception like this.

(Sounds of laughter)

KIM: You can only dream.

EDNA EVERAGE: Possums, I don't know quite what I have to do now, or...

KIM: Well, we don't know...

KATH: We'll go. Yes, we'll go.

EDNA EVERAGE: Why don't we meet later? I'll see you at the Buckingham.

KATH: That's right, we'll book a room; do you want a suite or a deluxe?

EDNA EVERAGE: No, I don't. I just want a comfortable room, if possible with television.

KIM: Oh, and a nice spa. That's right, they do very nice spas there. We'll hop in the spa together and have a flute of bubbly.

ELEANOR HALL: The ABC's Kath and Kim accompanying Dame Edna Everage at that ceremony in Melbourne.

Samantha Donovan with our report.