David Campbell’s Christmas Hope for Magda Szubanski and a Night of Meaningful Carols
As Carols By Candlelight returns once again to Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, David Campbell is stepping onto that familiar stage with more emotion than ever. Hosting the iconic Vision Australia concert for the 12th consecutive year, Campbell isn’t just thinking about the music, the crowds, or the tradition. Two very special people are firmly on his mind, and he’s hoping they’ll be watching quietly from home.
One of them is his father, Jimmy Barnes. After a demanding year filled with touring and ongoing health concerns, Barnes has been firmly told by his family to slow down and rest. The other person is someone just as close to Campbell’s heart: Magda Szubanski. A lifelong friend, former bridesmaid, and the godmother to Campbell’s 10-year-old daughter Betty, Szubanski has been undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, and her strength has been deeply felt by those around her.
Campbell has spoken openly about how Magda has been buoyed by the enormous wave of goodwill she’s received. It’s been described as something that has truly kept her going, not just from close friends and family, but from people right across the country. That sense of national love hasn’t gone unnoticed, and it’s been quietly powerful during a very challenging year.
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When it came to explaining Magda’s illness to his daughter, Campbell chose honesty. Betty is almost 11, and it was felt that she was old enough to understand the situation without being overwhelmed. The message was simple and reassuring: Magda isn’t well, but she’s surrounded by extraordinary doctors and receiving world-class care in Melbourne. It’s a grounded, hopeful approach that reflects how the entire family has chosen to face the situation.
This year’s Carols lineup is intentionally comforting and familiar, featuring beloved performers like Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, Denis Walter, Casey Donovan, Rob Mills, and cast members from MJ the Musical. Campbell believes tradition matters at Christmas, and those familiar faces are part of what makes the night feel safe, warm, and complete.
He’ll also be reunited on stage with co-host Sarah Abo, after last year’s dramatic moment when she was rushed to hospital just before the show. That unexpected challenge forced last-minute changes, and Campbell admits hosting alone felt strange, even after years of experience. Thankfully, his theatre background and ability to think on his feet carried him through.
Away from the stage, Campbell has found clarity through a recent ADHD diagnosis, helping him better understand his creative drive and emotional rhythms. Therapy, he says, has brought calm, perspective, and a sense of forgiveness that feels especially valuable with age.
In keeping with tradition, Campbell will also perform on the night, teasing something completely different from anything he’s done before. It’s a challenge he’s embracing, much like everything else this year has brought.
And perhaps that’s what this year’s Carols represents most of all. Not just celebration, but resilience, connection, and quiet hope. For David Campbell, it’s a night of music with meaning, dedicated to the people he loves most.
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