Basil Zempilas

Basil Zempilas's Biography

At the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, Basil Zempilas was behind the microphone for Steven Bradbury’s historic “last man standing” win in the 1000m Speed Skating – Australia’s first Winter Olympic gold medal. It is the drama, humour and inspiration of that astounding performance, and Basil’s involvement in it, that forms a significant part of his uplifting and entertaining after dinner presentation. It’s a story that has to be heard, to be believed.

As a senior sports presenter, Basil is the face of sport at Channel Seven Perth. After graduating from Murdoch University in 1993, Basil joined Channel Seven Perth as a final year cadet reporter. From there, his list of credits include AFL reporter, Olympic and Commonwealth Games commentator and Seven News Sports presenter.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Basil called Australia's coxless pair of Drew Gin and James Tomkins across the line for gold in the Rowing, as well as The Opals silver medal in Basketball.

Away from the traditional sports presentation, Basil fronted ‘Basil’s Footy Show’ – a live football/variety program and also Seven Perth’s ‘Perth at Five’ – an afternoon chat and interview program. Basil is also the main anchor for Channel Seven’s annual 26 hour ‘Telethon’ broadcast.

Basil has also worked in both AM and FM breakfast radio. For two years he hosted Rdio 6PR’s talkback breakfast program. Currently he is part of the three-person team – Lisa, Baz and Sam, who host 92.9fm’s breakfast program. He also broadcasts AFL matches on Melbourne’s 116 SEN.

2012 sees Basil joining the Seven Network AFL broadcast team as a match day caller.

Basil is also one of Perth's best known and most in demand masters of ceremonies who has hosted many of Perth's biggest and most prestigious corporate and charity functions such as the Ronald McDonald Charity Ball, the WAIS Athlete of the Year, the ALCOA Australia Staff Awards, Western Australian Sports Star of the Year Awards, West Coast Eagles Club Champion Dinner, Harvey Norman Corporate Awards, Gold Plate Awards, plus many others.

Basil's presentation is completed with the anecdotes he's assembled from almost 18 years as an AFL reporter, presenter and commentator plus numerous Commonwealth Games, Australian Tennis Opens and World Swimming championships.