After almost 20 years away, Libbi Gorr is rekindling her love affair with her hometown.
LARGER-than-life character Elle McFeast was laid to rest long ago, but the feistiness at her core is still alive and well in Libbi Gorr. The Melbourne girl who made her name as a comedian, television host, writer, corporate MC, author and radio personality is living in her hometown for the first time in almost 20 years – and she couldn’t be happier.
Gorr has spent the past six years working with ABC radio, mainly in Sydney, and raising two children with her partner Stewart Burchmore. “I have to say, we were becoming deliciously shallow. We lived near the beach and that whole beautiful lifestyle, which I will miss terribly. But we realised we should come back to Melbourne to get some couture, get some mental culture.’’
When the opportunity came up to move south, Gorr grabbed it.
Sitting near the balcony at ABC’s Southbank headquarters, Gorr, 47, has a pristine view of the city she loves but admits she no longer knows so well. There will be plenty of time to rekindle that love affair as Gorr settles into her role as host of 774 ABC Melbourne’s new radio program Sundays with Libbi Gorr.
‘‘I think the children are still young enough to move and my partner is a freelance producer and director, so he can work in film and television in Melbourne or Sydney.
‘‘Sundays is a great platform, a great opportunity. I can still settle the family in and continue my other work and be close to our extended family.’’
The program will be a new format for the station’s 10am to noon timeslot. ‘‘I guess it’s an opportunity to be creative and see how we’re doing. I do like doing new things and there’s always a risk. But, you know, I guess I am just one of those people who likes to generate ideas and see what happens. And if you can bring the people with you in a nice, safe yet exciting journey, who knows where it will go?’’
Gorr grew up in Melbourne, attending Methodist Ladies’ College in Kew before graduating with a law degree from the University of Melbourne. She has worked almost exclusively in the media ever since. She got her big break as a trainee reporter with ABC Radio Sport at 20, eventually co-starring with Andrew Denton on the ABC’s sports comedy television program Live and Sweaty, where her satirical character Elle McFeast was born in 1991.
Over the years, Gorr has created a series of acclaimed television specials, including Sex, Guys and Videotape, Portrait of a Power Pussy and Breasts. She writes columns. Produces events. Does she also fix the plumbing? Possibly.
Gorr and Burchmore have two children, Che, six, and Dali, almost two.
Becoming a mother ‘‘on the other side of 38’’ was a significant life change, she says, after a lifetime of being able to do – and say – whatever she wanted.
‘‘It’s quite confronting in terms of managing building family and career. It’s an old, old song for people to sing, but you only learn the words when you’re doing it.’’
Gorr is delightfully animated as she talks. She measures her words carefully and is at pains to express herself with clarity. She answers each question thoughtfully and elaborately. The only time she’s stuck for words is when asked about the key to her longevity.
‘‘I’ve just … I don’t know,’’ she pauses, before adding: ‘‘There’s obviously something still there. And I genuinely enjoy what I do and I’m pretty trustworthy. Give me the keys to the car and I won’t crash it. I might take it for a spin, though.’’
While it may seem that Gorr has been quiet for the past few years, she has been spreading her wings, career-wise. She blogs on her website, libbigorr.com.au, and since 2005 has been part of the ABC radio family as a host and guest on Tony Delroy’s Nightlife program and various shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.
Last year she released her first book, The A–Z of Mummy Manners, an etiquette guide for parents. Gorr says she wrote the book while pregnant with her youngest child and still trying to swim in the murky waters of parenting.
‘‘The core of Mummy Manners was remembering who you were before you had children. You can forget what makes you an individual and your own feelings and thoughts.
‘‘It was good fun, I guess a bit of comedic therapy. But it’s a universal thing. It’s those unspoken thoughts I’m allowed to say because I can say it with a twist.’’
When it comes to conventions, Gorr has made a career of avoiding them. She’s proud of that.
‘‘I don’t buy into it. Life isn’t a one size fits all situation,’’ she says. ‘‘Nothing about me fits the rules: my bottom’s bigger than my bust and my waist is tiny and my thighs are voluptuous. Nothing about me fits the mould. And there are plenty of women – and men – like me. You’ve got to make your own life up.’’
No matter what she does, Gorr will forever be synonymous with Collingwood tragic and provocateur Elle McFeast. Is it a hassle to still be associated with her 20 years later?
‘‘No. I think it’s good. Elle McFeast has given me a huge foundation in life, so there’s absolutely nothing but pleasure that I did it and pleasure that it’s still around.’’
Gorr and McFeast still share a mutual love of Collingwood Football Club, a love that has intensified since the club’s premiership win in 2010.
‘‘I’m the only girl that’s built a life on AFL to this extent, so I’m totally grateful,’’ she says, laughing. ‘‘All those childhood football loyalties, they’re really important. They teach you to be determined and resolute, despite disappointment.”
Does she ever wonder what McFeast would be doing today? ‘‘Nope. It was of its time. It’s done.’’
These days Gorr is eager to know everything about Melbourne. Where are the good cafes? Do people still wear too much black? And why on earth did the government build that observation wheel at Docklands, where the views are restricted to car parks and swamps?
‘‘I need to get the sand out of my hair, have a few more coffees. I’d like to be a coffee wanker,” she declares.
‘‘I’d love to say I’ll be running around the Tan, but I think that’s beyond me. I might do the odd skip of joy, though.’’
When we meet, Gorr and her family are still unpacking after shifting into a home in Malvern. She has a new radio show to plan and deliver, other projects to work on, including a possible return to television (about which she’s keeping mum).
But what she wants most is to take her family on an adventure in her old stomping ground.
‘‘I’m looking forward to taking the children on Puffing Billy, again and again and again.
‘‘And the Diamond Valley miniature rail. There’s all sorts of wonderful things to do. It will be great fun.
‘‘I’ve got this family now, so it’s a completely new experience. We just have to make sure we don’t get caught in the tram tracks.’’
Sundays with Libbi Gorr is on 774 ABC Melbourne from 10am to noon.
