The best of Kerri-Anne Kennerley
There’s no doubt about it – Kerri-Anne Kennerley is a television icon.
On Sunday, her achievements were recognised as she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 59th annual Logie Awards.
Kerri-Anne’s illustrious career has spanned 50 years, and we’ve been lucky enough to showcase her work as a guest reporter on Sunday Night.
KAK’s inimitable interviewing style – warm, entertaining and incisive – makes the stories she’s presented for Sunday Night unique.
In celebration of Kerri-Anne’s award, we’re reliving some of her greatest Sunday Night moments:
Andre Rieu
Castles, wine, private jets… the life of Andre Rieu is nothing short of a fairy tale.
The eccentric and beloved violinist took long-time friend Kerri-Anne on a European adventure from his home in the Netherlands to one of his grand concerts in Germany.
The 67-year-old King of Waltz is the biggest selling classical musician in the world and was recently in the country on his Australian tour.
Andre told Kerri-Anne that he loves to delight his audience – even those who are new to classical music.
"I never understood that somebody says, 'Oh I love music, but I'm not educated’,” he said.
“So what? Open your heart and come to the concert and I'll show you how it is to love music. I want to touch you. I want to make you cry. I want to make you happy, and send you home happy.”
Andre is now touring Europe and will head to the US in October.
Home on the road
Could you pack up your life and kids and swap your home for the open road?
For Peter and Allison Cairns, it was a no brainer – even with 11 children in tow.
In an interview with Kerri-Anne two years ago, the adventurous family explained how they chose to sell their home, shut their business and hit the road.
Their journey started 12 years ago – and they’ve never looked back.
“It’s the best decision we’ve ever made as the memories we have are priceless,” Peter said.
“We wouldn’t swap our memories for a trillion dollars.”
Peter said they were stressed and overworked trying to provide for their then five kids, build their dream home and run their refrigeration and air-conditioning business.
"It was a combination of all these emotions and pressures, it was overwhelming and we were both suffering from bad depression.
"We wanted a life with our kids, we wanted to be selfish."
Sleepless nights
Most mums and dads are relieved when their child nods off to sleep, but for Geordie Brown’s parents, it’s bedtime that concerns them the most.
Kerri-Anne met the lively four-year-old in 2013, and discovered that Georgie has a sleeping disorder that could be causing him long-term damage.
Sleep apnea is common in overweight adults above the age of 40, but for young children, it can have a dangerous affect on their growth and learning.
When Geordie sleeps he snores, and between the snores he stops breathing.
“It’s like having a plug in your throat that’s stopping air from coming in,” pediatrician Dr Jim Papadopoulos told Kerri-Anne.
Experts have found that a lack of sleep inhibits growth, slows learning, weakens the immune system, increases blood pressure, and can lead to heart disease, diabetes, stroke and obesity.
“You can expect around about a 10-point decrease in intelligence quotient, or IQ, so it’s really quite a serious reduction in your ability to learn,” Dr Papadopoulos said.
“When should you treat it? As soon as you know.”
Hoges
Wrangling crocodiles may have made him the most famous Australian in Hollywood, but Paul Hogan has revealed the greatest role of his life is being a dad.
In an exclusive Sunday Night interview with Kerri-Anne in March, Paul spoke candidly about the challenges and joys of being a father the second time around at the age of 77, raising his youngest son, Chance, in Los Angeles.
“I love it, always did,” Paul said.
The Aussie larrikin rarely opens up about his personal life, but told his long-time friend Kerri-Anne he loved “having his own tribe”.
“I had my kids young and grew up with them and, you know, never had great parenting skills. You have ‘em, you love ‘em and you do the best you can and that’s sort of how it works out.”
In the candid interview, Paul opened up about his two failed marriages and laughed off his single status.
“Are you looking for love again?” Kerri-Anne asked.
“No, but you know, I’m not rejecting it either,” he joked.
