From what we eat and drink to what we wear, there’s a lot about Australia that’s unique.
The humble Chiko Roll, for example, is something most Aussies will happily tuck into when in need of a quick snack, but try explaining what it is to the rest of the world, Tony Armstrong says, and they can’t quite understand.
”That’s true!” Tony, 33, tells TV WEEK with a laugh.
The sports reporter on the ABC’s News Breakfast program is hosting the network’s four-part look at some of the things that make us who we are.
”If I’m driving anywhere in our country, walk into a service station and see a Chiko Roll in the bain-marie, I think, ‘Well, I’m having that!’ But someone who isn’t from Australia wouldn’t have a clue what it even is.”
Tony is tipping his hat off to iconic Aussie made things in his brand new series…
(IMAGE: Getty)”It was one of the reasons I wanted to be involved with this show, because I enjoy exploring uniquely Australian stuff that doesn’t exist anywhere else – or, if it does,isn’t celebrated in the same manner.
”It’s nice to honour those weird things that are both nostalgic and still very much part of our day-to-day lives.”
From the Chiko Roll (and of course the meat pie) through Speedos, Akubra hats, the Hills Hoist and much more, Tony and some well-known guests look at iconic items that scream ”Australia.”
In addition, Tony says, the items invite us to take a look at the way we live and have grown as a nation.
”If you were to watch this as someone not from Australia, it will give you an insight into why we are the way we are and how we tick, but also our culture,” he explains.
”We’ve had some amazing achievements, but we’ve also done some pretty messed-up stuff as well.”
Those moments aren’t ignored, including the time thousands of Australians died after misusing diet pills.
But Tony says it’s important to acknowledge both sides of the ”stuff” that made us.
”It’s nice to be able to celebrate [things], but also to hold up a mirror to ourselves,” he says.
”I think we’re getting better at that.”
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