Tony Armstrong has opened up on his performing ambitions, talking candidly within the first episode of the ABC’s new sequence Nice Australian Stuff.
The previous Swan, now ABC Information Breakfast’s sports activities presenter, mentioned his Logie win final 12 months paved the best way for him to department out when it comes to his repertoire.
Armstrong mentioned he wished to get into performing, and that the Logie had put him on the map for a shift, however for now, he stays on the desk on weekday mornings at ABC Information Breakfast.
The revelation got here as a part of publicity he’s doing for Nice Australian Stuff, his newest presenting function after internet hosting A Canine’s World final 12 months.
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Armstrong gained the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Widespread New Expertise in 2022, reflecting his viral new recognition because the charismatic host of the ABC’s in any other case comparatively reserved information protection.
“(A Logie) places you within the thoughts of people that put reveals collectively, for positive,” he informed the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I nonetheless can’t imagine I’ve bought one. It wasn’t on the bingo card.
“It’s nonetheless bizarre to me, however I’m very humbled, and that was very a lot a vote for (ABC) Information Breakfast, so my success is just because of the individuals who I’ve been fortunate sufficient to work with.”
The revelations come as a part of the primary episode in a brand new sequence analyzing staples of Australian tradition, together with the advertising and marketing campaigns of iconic snacks corresponding to Freddo Frogs and the Chiko Roll, in addition to unsavoury information concerning the origin of establishments like fish and chip retailers and milk bars.
“I like all of the bizarre and wacky, fantastic stuff that makes us, us, warts and all,” Armstrong mentioned.
“This present is about telling the reality, however attempting to maintain it celebratory.
“Clearly, some surprising stuff has occurred right here, stuff that has straight impacted my folks, however I didn’t wish to be concerned in one thing that was essentially solely speaking about that form of stuff.
“As a result of as vital as it’s, there are people who find themselves higher positioned to inform these tales.”
Armstrong is a proud Barranbinya man, and has needed to take care of no scarcity of abuse in his rise to media prominence after being reduce from Collingwood’s record in 2015.
In November final 12 months, police had been referred to as over racist abuse despatched to the TV persona, with Armstrong sharing a message despatched to his work e mail handle.
The nationwide broadcaster issued a press release on the time from ABC Information Director Justin Stevens, who has mentioned the community is exploring all choices to “make sure the wellbeing of our folks”.
“This racist harassment is sickening. The ABC is taking a spread of actions to assist Tony Armstrong, together with referring the matter to police,” Stevens mentioned.
“We’re presently conducting an even bigger venture on the abuse and harassment of ABC workers, together with on social media, and analyzing all of the choices open to us to make sure the wellbeing of our folks.
“Our journalists shouldn’t be attacked or subjected to abuse for doing their jobs.”
Armstrong was racially attacked within the wake of his feedback surrounding the netball sponsorship storm that divided the nation final week.
The favored ABC determine spoke out to sentence Australia’s richest lady, Gina Rinehart, in October final 12 months over her obvious disappearing act following mining large Hancock Prospecting’s resolution to stroll away from a $15 million deal supporting the Diamonds.
Hancock Prospecting tore up the profitable sponsorship contract after Indigenous participant Donnell Wallam objected to sporting a Diamonds’ uniform with the Hancock emblem throughout Australia’s sequence towards England.
This was due to feedback made by its founder Lang Hancock — Rinehart’s father — about “sterilising” Indigenous Australians within the Eighties.
Armstrong has now revealed the ugly backlash to the feedback he made.
“This s*** has gotta cease,” he posted on Twitter alongside a screenshot of the e-mail.
“One factor is for sure although, this isn’t guna cease us talking up or stepping up. Despatched to my work e mail, no much less.”
Talking on The Mission on the time, Armstrong criticised sections of the Australian media for lauding Rinehart’s philanthropic work in Indigenous communities and failing to sentence her father’s feedback.
“The professional-Gina PR push has gone into overdrive with article after article about Gina’s philanthropic niceness,” he mentioned in a piece-to-camera.
“$300 million in royalty funds to Indigenous Australians over right here, group funds making it rain over there, it’s simply cash, cash, cash for the great of blackfellas in every single place.
“Hancock is an organization that final 12 months introduced earnings of $7.3 billion. When pro-Gina media shouted that her actions converse louder than phrases, what they actually imply is cash talks. Gina throws cash at issues to win them over.”
Rinehart has not publicly condemned or distanced herself from her father’s feedback about Indigenous Australians and Armstrong supplied her a chance to come back on The Mission to debate the matter.
“The very fact stays that what her dad mentioned whereas on the helm of Hancock Prospecting is arms down the worst factor something may say about one other race,” he continued.
“Let’s be clear, he was not a senile blow-in who bought drunk and shot his mouth off. He was the mining pioneer who began the corporate. He was the one who handed the reins to Gina. He believed each a type of phrases.
“Us blackfellas are huge on truth-telling. So within the spirit of reconciliation, Gina, what do you concentrate on your dad’s feedback? We simply wish to know what you reckon. Ship us an e mail or come be a part of us on the desk.
“Simply tell us, Gina. As Australia’s richest particular person, your phrases and opinions matter.”
Armstrong, a proud Barranbinya man, completed by praising Wallam for her debut and the way she’s dealt with herself all through the ordeal.
“What a famous person,” he mentioned.
“Let’s not overlook the function Donnell Wallam’s performed in the course of all this. She’s an absolute champion. Eight from eight on the court docket final night time and the profitable purpose. She’s a famous person, I really like her, shout out to her.
“Full credit score to the remainder of the crew for standing by her as effectively.”
