Elaine Canty, ABC radio
Tony Wilson works as a broadcaster, author and television presenter. He made his name as a keen observer and comic talent on the ABCTV documentary show Race Around the World. More recently, he’s been a panellist on The Einstein Factor and a World Cup correspondent for Santo, Sam and Ed’s Cup Fever.
For six years he co-hosted The Breakfasters program on 3RRR, rising at 5am each day to discuss news, sport, politics, film, television and music. The show’s easy banter and humorous off-the-cuff style was perfect training for Tony’s MC work, and he has become a popular choice for conferences, panels, festivals and dinners. His polished style has also seen him co-host Jon Faine’s Conversation Hour and Lindy Burns’s Drive program on ABC Melbourne 774, as well as appearances with Tony Martin on Triple R and 774 as The Two Tones.
Tony is a successful author himself. His first novel, Players (Text Publishing, 2005), earned him the accolade of SMH ‘Best Young Australian Novelist 2006’. A true satire, Players is a comic novel with a black heart, investigating the very recognisable themes of out-of-control sporting celebrity and the dominating hand of the media. Tony is himself an ex-listed AFL footballer, having spent just a year at Hawthorn in 1992, but now he is equally passionate about round ball football. His ‘conversion’ was captured in his classic sporting memoir Australia United (GSP, 2006), a hilarious, passionate, and sometimes tear-jerking account of his travels around World Cup, Germany, 2006. His follow up novel, Making News (Murdoch Books, 2010), is about a recently retired Socceroos and Premier League star who is lured into a tabloid generated sex scandal. He’s also written five picture books. His latest, The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas, was a CBCA Notable Book for 2010.
Speaker:
As an after dinner speaker, Tony interweaves memorable stories from his failed career as a footballer and a lawyer into the successful travels and media adventures that have followed. He uses photographs and videos to help tell the story of how a lifelong dream to play AFL football expired at 25, and was replaced by a new dream.
Master of Ceremonies:
As an MC, he will use his skill as a writer to craft a script that is funny and original for each client. Clients such as City of Yarra, CPA Australia, State Library of Victoria, Essendon Football Club, IWIRC, Superannuation Lawyers Association, Institute of Engineering and Technology and Law Institute of Victoria have all used Tony on more than one occasion.
Hypothetical Discussions:
Tony has been involved in numerous debates, both as a participant and as a facilitator. He has also combined his creative skill at constructing scenarios with his strong legal training to write and moderate successful hypotheticals’.
Here is the review from Camberwell grammar School:
“From a very short briefing, Tony ‘got it’-he understood our objectives, did copious research and prepared meticulously. He presented us with a hypothetical-“A Difficult Day”- that was timely, relevant and thought provoking. His presentation was well written ,and delivered in a relaxed, but business-like style, balancing humour with challenge and constantly adapting to the group’s responses, ensuring that we were fully engaged throughout the session.
