A statue of the late great Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski has been unveiled at Rod Laver Arena.
Gudinski formed Mushroom Records in 1972, which went on to nurture a class of Australian musical talent from Skyhooks to Kylie Minogue, forging a glowing reputation for Australian music abroad.
He died tragically just over a year ago today, and in honour of Mushroom’s ‘MG Day’ – a daylong annual celebration of Gudinski’s life – the Victorian government has unveiled a life-size statue of the pioneer outside Rod Laver Arena.
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The unveiling was attended by a huge throng of Mushroom employees and also included speeches from Michael’s son and Mushroom Group Chief Executive, Matt Gudinski, multi-ARIA winner and long-time friend Jimmy Barnes, as well as Victorian Premier Dan Andrews who commemorated Michael’s life and the considerable contributions he made to both the Australian and international music industries.
“Michael Gudinski made a unique contribution to Victoria’s cultural and economic life,” Andrews said. “This tribute, in this location, will remind all Victorians of his lifelong passion for our state and honour his significant contribution to the Australian music and entertainment industries.”
“My family and I are humbled by this great tribute and recognition of my late father that acknowledges his contribution to the Australian music scene and the city of Melbourne and will stand as a permanent tribute to his legacy and importance to making the Australian music and entertainment landscape what it is today,” Matt added.
Finally, Barnes paid tribute; “To have a statue of Michael up here surrounded by the very venues that made Melbourne the home of everything to him seems perfect. From here he can hear the roar of the crowds from the MCG. He can see and hear the punters leaving the Rod Laver Arena, or AAMI Park shouting about being at the best show they’ve ever seen. I think that would put a smile on his face. Especially if it was a Frontier show.”
Read more about Gudinski’s legacy here.
