Nova’s Chrissie Swan announced as 2018 Moomba Monarch

Nova 100 Breakfast host Chrissie Swan has been announced as the Moomba Queen for the 2018 Moomba festival in Melbourne.

Moomba, owned and delivered by the City of Melbourne, is Australia’s largest free community festival, with more than one million visitors expected to turn out at Birrarung Marr and Alexandra Gardens over the Labor Day long weekend.

Swan, who forms one third of Chrissie, Sam and Browny on Nova 100 Breakfast, will be joined by ABC personality Jimmy Giggle of Giggle and Hoot fame.

“Families and children are at the heart of Moomba,” said acting Lord Mayor of Melbourne Arron Wood.

“In keeping with this theme, I am pleased to today announce that acclaimed Nova 100 Chrissie, Sam & Browny breakfast radio and television personality, writer and Silver Logie winner Chrissie Swan and much-loved ABC for Kids star Jimmy Giggle, of Giggle and Hoot fame, are our Monarchs for 2018.

“Every parent of young children is indebted to Jimmy Giggle for helping with ‘witching hour’ and the bed time routine and the wit, intelligence and affability that Chrissie exudes in her many and varied media roles has endeared her to Melburnians.”

“What a thrill to be Moomba Queen,” said Swan. “I remember Moomba being such a huge thing for me during my childhood.

“Six year old Chrissie would not believe it if I had told her that one day it would be HER on the float in the parade. It truly is a dream come true, plus I’m enjoying making everyone refer to me as Her Majesty even if it’s only for four days!”

Swan and Giggle will appear as Moomba’s King and Queen in the annual parade on March 12 at 10:45am.

Past Moomba Monarchs have included Bert Newton, Graham Kennedy, Shane Warne, Dame Edna Everage, Molly Meldrum, Kate Ceberano, Cathy Freeman, Marina Prior, Lano & Woodley, Mick Malthouse, Ruby Rose, Harry Kewell, Kevin Sheedy & Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

Swan isn’t the only radio personality to feature, with smoothfm‘s Ty Frost MC’ing the famous Birdman Rally on Sunday March 11 at 11:30am.

The 64th annual Moomba Festival will take place from March 9-12, 2018, with the full festival program available here.