THE Today Show’s Mike Dalton is under siege from the Bendigo community for the ultimate faux pas – mistakenly referring to Bendigo as Ballarat.
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Sydney presenter Leila McKinnon added insult to injury by suggesting Mr Dalton was broadcasting in the “middle of nowhere” on Sunday.
3BO presenter Sam Hargreaves demanded an apology from the Today Show and suggested they should make a return visit on his Monday Moan segment. Angry citizens hit 3BO’s Facebook page in support for his call for an apology.
“I don’t watch the show anyway but that doesn’t excuse their faux pas. Bendigo and central Victoria deserve an apology!” one Facebook user said.
Others defended Bendigo and stressed its importance to Australia’s history.
“Just ask her (Ms McKinnon) have they heard of Four n Twenty pies, Myer, Chiko Rolls, John Laws, Fernwood Fitness, Jimmy Possum, gold, Bendigo Bank because they all started here first.”
Mr Hargreaves said he was “highly offended” to be mistaken for Ballarat. “There is no bigger insult than to be called Ballarat.
“He couldn’t have chosen a worse one. We should all be outraged! We all love our rivalry with Ballarat but will not stand by idly and be mistook for them.
“We are bigger and we found more gold.”
Mr Hargreaves called for a boycott of the Today Show until they make an official apology.
He said the whole crew should fly from Sydney and film an entire show in Bendigo.
“If they come to Bendigo and do a whole show they can learn about our city and they won’t get it wrong again.
“We are a proud town, a rich history and a key part of the success of Australia.”
The Today Show was contacted for comment but did not respond.
