R.I.P KANDY (KEN) JOHNSON

Australia lost one of our stalwarts of entertainment and community icon namely Kandy (Ken) Johnson aged 75 years after a long battle with cancer. Kandy who lived in Noosa and Sydney performed Australia wide and was an original cast member of the infamous Les’ Girls. Kandy also trod the boardwalks in stage productions such as David Kopp’s Views From A Broad. Ken also was involved in venues such as Sydney’s Purple Onion, Ken’s Karate Klub a male sex on premises venue the park Inn hotel and the lord Roberts hotel. Ken became known in later years as the Empress Of Sydney. He was a forerunner of gay venues when it was illegal to be gay in NSW and Queensland and described by many friends as an energetic, kind, creative and quick witted compere. Ken was ground breaking in his passion for entertainment that was always vibrant and good humoured. QNews thanks Wally Cowin for his assistance with this article. Kandy will be sadly missed and was laid to rest last week, and will be fondly remembered as someone who dared to make a difference and offer safe premises to gay people under adversity.