Prominent Australians including Ita Buttrose, Tony Abbott, Cheng Lei, Dwayne Russell and Mike Amor reflect on challenging moments that shaped their careers and perspectives.
Ita Buttrose reflects on the challenges during her time as ABC Chair.
“I didn’t expect it to not be a tough job, of course it’s a tough job. You’ve got to please so many people, and we had a government that barely had a good word to say about us when I became the chair…the government of the day was obsessively critical one could say.”
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott reflects on how Australia’s past still shapes the nation today.
“A country which is convinced that its past is nothing but racism and a form of genocide, is not going to be a country which is at ease with itself. I think that all of us at a personal level can admit we’re not perfect, but if we dwell on our imperfections and if we’re ashamed of our identity, then it’s very hard to be a successful human being and I think that’s true of countries too.”
Former journalist Cheng Lei reflects on her feelings towards her home country following her detention on false charges of espionage.
“It is hard, I still feel a twinge when people say, ‘I love China’…I just want to tell people that it’s such a contradictory and complex country, don’t look at it simplistically.”
Former Port Adelaide star and Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell on his long-held regret from the 1984 SANFL Grand Final defeat to Norwood.
“In 1984 we had a big chance. Norwood came from 5th and that’s obviously still the one thing that burns in me…I had a moment in the last quarter where I could’ve kicked a goal to put us in front…I cost us that grand final pretty much.”
Award-winning journalist and presenter Mike Amor recalls the moment he witnessed the Twin Towers being attacked while he was in New York.
“Anyone who had been to New York in that period knows how much those two towers dominated the skyline. I looked out the taxi, beautiful blue sky and sure enough there’s the first tower with a big hole in it and smoke coming out. My taxi driver started wailing…it was really difficult.”
Discover more online at FIVEAA or listen ON AIR weekdays, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
