TV WEEK is proud to announce that Australian television industry titan and cultural and creative pioneer, Brian Walsh, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The TV WEEK Logie Award Hall of Fame honours people and programs that have helped shape the most influential medium of our time and recognises an outstanding contribution to Australian television. Previous inductees include Bruce McAvaney, Noni Hazlehurst, Neighbours and Steve Irwin.
Brian sadly passed away in March of this year, aged 67. At the time, he was the Executive Director of Drama at Foxtel Group.
At the Logies, Brian was remembered and celebrated for his pivotal role in shaping the Australian television industry, with countless channels, hundreds of shows, and thousands of careers credited to his life’s work.
“This year’s recipient was a giant of the industry; known and loved by all in this room,” said host Sam Pang.
Brian Walsh will be inducted into the TV WEEK Logie Award Hall of Fame this year. (Image: Getty)
Marta Dusseldorp and Matt Shirvington led the tribute to Brian, with both sharing heartfelt anecdotes of their time with the television pioneer.
“He helped me navigate my sporting career and later, [he was] pivotal in a transition to TV full-time,” shared Shirvington, adding “He then encouraged me to spend time in the
Sky News room. He said, “You will learn everything you need to know there”…It was a culture of hard work, ambition and emerging success and Walshy saw it.”
“He was always the first to congratulate you. Seeing people reach their potential was enough for an incredibly generous man. It is truly an honour to be up here tonight to do this with so many of you in this room with similar stories to tell. Walshy, we miss you, mate,” Shirvington continued.
“As we all know, this culture of show business is based on relationships. That’s how it and storytellers thrive and grow. Trust. Respect. Listening. Loyalty. And belief in and of each other. Brian stood out for all of these qualities,” continued Dusseldorp, adding, “Brian was our beacon of entertainment, our game changer, our champion.”
Brian with The Twelve stars Marta Dusseldorp and Sam Neill. (Image: Getty)
“Brian played a huge role in shaping the Australian TV landscape,” TV WEEK Editor Stephen Downie says.
“He loved Australian drama television and actors and he was constantly looking for ways to tell our stories. Brian being inducted into the TV WEEK Logie Hall of Fame is the best way to honour an industry legend.”
With a career spanning more than four decades, Brian is credited for the global success of the iconic series Neighbours and launching the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce.
Iconically, he also created the “Simply the Best” season launch of the National Rugby League, which featured Tina Turner, and he was the man behind a series of blockbuster Grand Final and State of Origin entertainment shows and events.
In 1995, Brian was a key member of the management team that established Australian subscription television with the launch of Foxtel.
It was there that he oversaw scripted and unscripted commissions for the Foxtel Group, including the beloved television series Wentworth, Upright, Deadline Gallipoli, The Kettering Incident, The End and most recently Love Me, Colin from Accounts and The Twelve.
Fittingly, The Twelve is the most nominated drama at this year’s TV Week Logie Awards. While Colin From Accounts also scored a number of nominations.
Brian Walsh with Claudia Karvan. (Image: Getty)
The 2023 TV WEEK Logie Awards will air on Channel 7 at 7pm, on Sunday July 30.
