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Why Noni Hazlehurst Reacted The Way She Did During Waleed Aly’s Gold Logie Acceptance Speech

By Stacey Cole
Published on: 01:21 PST, May 16, 2016

Noni Hazlehurst has been inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame for her contribution to the entertainment industry for the past 40 years, according to the Daily Mail. But even a veteran actress with so many years of experience behind her shed tears during Waleed Aly’s Gold Logie acceptance speech.

When Aly delivered his Gold Logie acceptance speech, Noni Hazlehurst was moved to tears on Sunday at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne. Speaking to the cast of The Project, Hazlehurst explained her outburst of emotions during Aly’s acceptance speech.

And the main reason was because Aly made a “powerful” contribution to the entertainment industry in Australia, Noni Hazlehurst said, adding that she has the utmost respect for him.

“And to changing people’s minds and making people think and feel and listen, and I have the utmost respect for him, and think it’s a real turning point.”

Noni Hazlehurst also added that she looks forward to living in the world where it doesn’t matter who wins and who loses, where it will be all about saying who is the best.

“And I think he’s [Aly] a wonderful example of that.”

After Noni Hazlehurst gave her politically-charged Logies Hall of Fame speech, the entire Crown Palladium applauded. Hazlehurst’s induction into the Hall of Fame was positively received by TV stars on social media.

During Noni Hazlehurst’s touching speech, the Play School presenter also said she is looking forward to the world where it wouldn’t be a big deal for a man or woman of any race, religion, culture, and ethnicity.

“The fact that I’m only the second woman to be given this honor is merely a reflection of the prevailing zeitgeist, as is the odious suggestion in some quarters that the eligibility of our esteemed colleagues Waleed Aly and Lee Lin Chin to be considered for the Gold is questionable.”

But Noni Hazlehurst noted that there are already signs that it’s all changing for the better, although “glacially” slowly. Noni Hazlehurst added that she has been riding that glacier for 40 years and admitted that she is staying on top of it. Hazlehurst found out she would be inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame a month ago.

When talking to reporters, Noni Hazlehurst also had a few things to say about depression, isolation, and loneliness. The veteran actress assured all those people feeling isolated and alone that they are not alone.

“There are people who do amazing things in the world and you just don’t get to hear about them very often because if they don’t bleed they don’t lead.”

But the key to success is to find some balance. Noni Hazlehurst said that when creating something, you shouldn’t underestimate your projects. In particular, if you’re creating something for TV, you need to know what people want to watch.

Ruth Cracknell was the first female to be inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame in 2001. Noni Hazlehurst is currently starring in A Place To Call Home playing the role of Elizabeth Bligh, the wealthy matriarch of the family. The veteran actress began her TV career exactly 40 years ago, in 1976. A Place To Call Home Season 4 is currently in production and is due to air later this year.

Noni Hazlehurst’s most popular TV projects include City Homicide, The Sullivans, Division 4, The Shiralee, and Play School. Hazlehurst is a member of the Order of Australia and has been honored with a wide variety of awards, including Australian Film Institute Awards and ARIA Awards.

[Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images]

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