Hundreds flock to Lakeside Joondalup shopping centre to celebrate 40-year milestone of Rick and Sue

Hundreds of people flocked to Lakeside Joondalup to meet iconic television duo Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr as the pair celebrate 40 years on air.

A meet and greet took place on Wednesday morning where those eager to see the presenters in the flesh were able to say hello and receive a commemorative medallion.

The crowd wrapped around several stalls in the shopping centre and let out a cheer when the duo arrived at the centre.

Stacee Parkinson was the very first person to meet the pair in the event, she had been waiting around three hours and had caught an Uber to make sure she was front of the line.

“I’ve always wanted to meet Sue and Rick,” she said.

“It’s so good that they’ve lasted 40 years on TV and on 7NEWS, I’ve grown up with them in my living area, that’s all my dad had on is 7NEWS and I still watch them today.

“I think they’re an awesome, powerhouse news couple.”

The event was organised to recognise the pair’s 40 years on air together presenting 7NEWS.

They have held the world record holders for the longest continuous news reader pairing since 2022.

Carr said it was a humbling experience seeing so many people in one place for them.

“We were overwhelmed by the response because it’s so nice to know that people appreciate us being part of their lives for the last 40 years. It was pretty humbling actually,” she said.

“We met so many fantastic people who have followed us for the entire 40 years that had some great memories to share.

“One Frenchman named Jean Jacques said his mother learned English by watching us on 7NEWS.“

Ardon agreed, saying he was grateful for the support of the community.

“It was fantastic to be able to celebrate this milestone with our viewers, without them we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

“Being able to give them the commemorative medallion from the Perth Mint as a keepsake was really special and I’m truly grateful for their continued support.”

Some drove hours to see the pair, such as Trevor Wrigglesworth who came up from Cowaramup.

Mr Wrigglesworth said he arrived at 8am to see them, meaning he was towards the front of the queue.

“It’s not every day you get to meet the news readers every day, especially if you’re from the country,” he said.

“They’re just normal, everyday, regular people, nice people.”

Susan Lynch said she was very happy to see the pair, and the medallions would be going to her grandchildren.

“We’ve seen them before at different things but this was quite unique really,” she said.

“It was unique, 40 years is amazing, isn’t it and they obviously have gotten on so well together.”

Ms Lynch brought along a memento of her own from 40 years ago, when she made an appearance on the Telethon broadcast after raising money with the Cliff Richard meeting house.

She said the image put into context just how long the pair had been going for.

“Well they are WA aren’t they, they are WA, Rick and Sue” she said.

“The other channels chop and change and they’re very nice the people on the other channels but you can always rely on Rick and Sue.”

Ardon and Carr will be doing another meet and greet in Cockburn Gateway shopping centre on Thursday where punters will be able to get their own commemorative medallion.