Tommy
Years ago
Aussies Smash Academy Awards
The Aussies ran rough shot across the Academy Awards today. No doubt they're the toast of parties all across Hollywood right now, earning the respect of the yanks by beating them at their own game.
It's hard to pick a moment that made me the most proud.
It could be Lesley Vanderwalt, who won for make-up and hair design, for her "pop the corks, we're bring gold home" comment to open her acceptance speech. I bet the yanks didn't know how to take this down to earth, salt of the earth Aussie girl.
Or it could be David White, winning for Best Sound Editing, for shouting "Mad Mad Fury Road!!" so loudly into the microphone that it temporarily lost power and for saying he was proud to represent all his Australian colleagues. This was Aussie passion on display for all of Hollywood to see.
And it could be Ben Osmo, who won for Best Sound Mixing, who only got a few seconds at the microphone because he and his two other colleagues were being played off the stage. But what did he say with the few seconds he was given? He said "To all the Australians." Country First!
All Aussie winners showed passion, solidarity and a love of country on the biggest of stages.
At the end of the night, the Australian film won six awards, more than any other film nominated. We may not have won any of the big ones - like Best Actor in a Supporting Role, or Best Actress in a Supporting Role, or Best Director, or Best Actor, or Best Actress, or Best Picture. But we won the most. And I've haven't been prouder of my Australian brothers and sisters in a long time.