Crestfallen former Today Show sports presenter Alex Cullen has placed his Summer Hill home on the rental market following his relocation to Melbourne. Cullen is set to join Christian O’Connell’s Gold 104.3 breakfast radio show as the new sports presenter, a position that opens up as the show seeks to regain its top FM ranking.
Cullen’s charming 1912 Queen Anne Federation home, known as Kironga, has been listed for just a week. Initially set at $1800 per week, the asking rent has already been reduced to $1700. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence retains its original charm, featuring living and entertaining spaces that extend to a rear yard adorned with lemon and avocado trees.
From Television to Radio: A New Chapter
The move to Melbourne marks a significant career shift for Cullen, who was let go by Nine Entertainment in January after accepting a $50,000 gift from Adrian “Lambo Guy” Portelli. The gift was part of a public challenge by Portelli, offering the sum to the first television journalist to refer to him as “McLaren Guy” instead of “Lambo Guy.”
Christian O’Connell humorously announced Cullen’s hiring on air, stating, “Channel 9 might go ‘listen, we can’t have that’, but commercial breakfast radio, we are very much up for payola. Come on in. Don’t worry Alex, you’ve found a home here, my friend.”
“I called him out of the blue a few weeks ago and we hit it off like old mates,” O’Connell shared. “He came over for a rigorous interview with me, that to onlookers may have looked like a long lunch with flowing red wine, but we bonded over being dads and a shared love of storytelling and how sport could be delivered on my show.”
Real Estate Market Dynamics
The listing of Kironga comes amidst a challenging rental market in Summer Hill. According to PropTrack data, there have been only 10 four-bedroom lettings in the past year, with a median time on the market of 33 days. The property management department is also grappling with a nearby luxury five-bedroom bungalow on Rosemount Ave, which remains unleased after 75 days, despite a weekly rent of $1750.
Cullen and his wife, Nine Entertainment journalist Bonnie, purchased the home in 2020 for $1.9 million when it was marketed as a “highly rewarding refurbishment project.” The Harris Tripp leasing agent, Kristian Lovicu, describes the property as “nestled in a highly sought after pocket,” emphasizing its family-friendly appeal.
The Road Ahead: Cullen’s Exciting Venture
As Cullen embarks on this new chapter, he reflects on his career trajectory. “I actually started my career in radio, so to be coming back to it and joining a show that’s so loved and so full of heart is a real thrill,” Cullen expressed. “I can’t wait to be on air with Christian, Pats, and Rio, and to get to know Melbourne – my family and I are thrilled to be making it our new home.”
The move represents not only a professional transition but also a personal one, as Cullen and his family settle into Melbourne. This development follows a series of high-profile changes in Cullen’s career, underscoring the fluid nature of media employment and the personal resilience required to navigate such shifts.
As Cullen prepares to take on his new role, the industry will be watching to see how his presence impacts the dynamics of Melbourne’s competitive radio landscape. Meanwhile, his Summer Hill home stands as a testament to the personal and professional chapters that have defined his journey thus far.
