Gillies arrived to her hometown on Saturday, along with her Silverchair drummer husband Ben Gillies to prepare for the civic engagement. The publication reports that the couple were spotted having brunch on Sunday at The Edwards, co-owned by Ben’s former Silverchair bandmate Chris Joannou.
Jackie Gillies receives a symbolic key to the city by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes today. @JackieGilliesTV @Nuatali_Nelmes #newy pic.twitter.com/2iPoBLNqoP— Simone De Peak (@simonedepeak) July 10, 2017
Jackie's parents were also in attendance. I'ts been reported that the ceremony was captured by the Foxtel film crew for the upcoming season four of The Real Housewives of Melbourne.
“It means a lot to me,” Gillies told The Herald. “I’m overwhelmed. Receiving a key to the city is one of the best days of my life. It’s like being recognised for the importance in life that you do for others.”
“It wasn’t just about receiving the key, it was also a nod to where I grew up,” Gillies said.
Jackie Gillies with her father Ivan Ivancevic,
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, mother Svetlana Ivancevic and
Ben Gillies. Picture: Simone De Peak via The Herald
“My husband and I are proud Novocastrians and we’ve still got our place here in Merewether and we’ll never let that go and we’ll come back.”
The publication reports that this recognition is part of a newly-developed Ambassador program, that highlights individuals and organisations who work across Australia, and worldwide, to promote the City of Newcastle on a national stage.
Jackie took to Twitter to express how honored she felt with the ceremony.
Feel so blessed! 😘❤️🌈— JackieGillies (@JackieGilliesTV) July 10, 2017
Thanks baby , feel so honoured, blessed ..#ProudNovocastrian 💫👼🏻😘— JackieGillies (@JackieGilliesTV) July 10, 2017
You bring tears to my eyes . I Feel so honoured .. #ProudNovocastrian 😇👼🏻😘❤️— JackieGillies (@JackieGilliesTV) July 10, 2017
Gillies is the first person to be honoured in Newcastle City Council’s new ambassador program, which aims to recognise Novocastrians who have left Newcastle, but continue to be passionate advocates for the city.
Cr Nelmes said Gillies was chosen for the award due to her advocacy for Newcastle through the media and The Real Housewives Of Melbourne, plus her extensive charity work with Mission Australia and White Ribbon.
“I think it’s fitting that when Jackie’s home we’ve kick-started our ambassador program with her,” Cr Nelmes said. “We’ve got a lot of other people we’ve reached out to in the last couple of weeks, who I’m looking forward to doing similar announcements with.”
Cr Nelmes also defended the decision to launch the program as part of a reality TV show, citing it as a marketing opportunity for Newcastle.
“Reality TV shows are a part of our everyday life and have been for many decades,” she said. “There’s reality TV, there’s sporting events.
“Some people like Supercars, some people don’t like Supercars and every time we have cameras on us on the national or international stage I see it as an opportunity to promote Newcastle and everything that is great about this city.”
Jackie Gillies receiving the key to the city from
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at Fort Scratchley while the RHOMelbourne
cameras roll. Picture: Simone De Peak via The Herald
Season 4 of The Real Housewives of Melbourne is currently underway with returning cast members Gamble Breaux, Gina Liano, Jackie Gillies, Janet Roach and Lydia Schiavello, who will be joined by two new cast members: Sally Bloomfield and Venus Behbahani-Clark.
We want to congratulate Jackie on her accomplishment, Shine it up my dear!!
The Real Housewives of Melbourne is set to return later this year on Foxtel's Arena!
Photo Credit: Bravo
