A career on television is a long way from the family sheep station in South Australia but Hamish McLachlan is a man born to the role. As well as being an all-round nice guy, he is one of the busiest people around, combining his TV and writing for the Herald Sun with his own media and production company Ten Goals, and an involvement with the Bastion Collective. He also MC’s some of PJSE’s biggest events. Peter caught up with him for this latest edition of “White with one”.
Peter: How do you take your coffee?
Hamish:
I’m a no frills latte guy. I would have one a day, and have finally kicked the sugar. I’ve only just realized that very little exercise and only watching sport doesn’t actually improve your fitness, so the one sugar per coffee is in the rear view mirror. I also drink lots of tea – no milk or sugar, but that’s a legacy from my days on the farm where we grew up having Billy tea when we were lamb marking and shearing. To have milk in it meant one more thing for Dad to bring, so we all went without. Funny how those small things can influence what we do today.
Peter: How long have you worked at Channel 7 and what is your background?
Hamish:
I joined Channel 7 in 2008. Ian Johnson and Lewis Martin asked me to do an audition, but it was relying on auto cue, and I was terrible! I asked if I could do a panel chat without any scripts, which thankfully went better! They both took a huge risk on me, and I will be forever grateful. Before I started at Channel 7 I worked at ESP as the Events and Entertainment Manager with Craig Kelly. He was my football idol when he played for Norwood in the 80s. He gave me my first job after moving to Melbourne from our family sheep farm an hour out of Adelaide. Craig has had a huge influence on my life and we’ve become great friends
Peter: What are some of your proudest moments/highlights while working at Channel 7?
Hamish:
Two come to mind. Firstly, being part of the Good Friday Appeal. It’s really special for me, because my wife Soph and I spent some time at the Royal Children’s Hospital a few years ago with our eldest daughter Milla. They saved her life, and changed ours. I can’t speak highly enough of them and would do anything for the RCH. The second is the Freeze at the G event at the MCG. I got to work with Neale Daniher which was an absolute privilege. A phenomenal man who has taught us all so much. The event raises awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease. Channel 7 really got behind it, and all the other networks put down their guns and wrapped their arms around the concept. That’s rare. And brilliant. I’m looking forward to being a part of it again this year. To be able to be a part of those two events are personal highlights.
Peter: Couldn’t agree with you more Hamish. PJSE donates our time to help Neale with this event to try raise as much money as possible. I’m only glad I don’t have to go down the slide! Who are some of your most admired Melburnians?
Hamish:
It’s tough to single out just a few – so many people contribute in their own way. Ross Stevenson is one. He is such a unique talent. So clever. So well read. So interesting. So positive. Paul Kelly is another. He has sung passionately about Melbourne and brought it to life through lyrics and music. Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy. All Australian footballer, preacher of the game, the city and everything north of the Yarra. He is basically the guy you either want to be, or want your daughter to marry. He should be made Lord Mayor of Melbourne’s North West! And Sally Capp. She is full of energy and is always out there promoting Melbourne and making it a better city.
Peter: Why is Melbourne such a great city to host major sporting events?
Hamish:
We’ve got great infrastructure to stage them, which helps. But I think we are a city that appreciates great sporting moments. Roosevelt said “the credit belongs to the man in the arena”. I think we are very respectful of the man in the arena, and want to support those who are laying themselves bare. A lot of effort and energy goes into ensuring we get world class events too, that helps, and I hope we never take it for granted.
Peter: What is your favourite event to attend in Melbourne?
Hamish:
That’s just about impossible. Favourite child type question! I like moments within events I think. When the umpire calls “Play” to start a big match at a night session on Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open. The silence on Anzac Day at the MCG. And a real buzz I get is standing behind the barriers as the Melbourne Cup field is about to jump.
Peter: What does Melbourne need that it doesn’t already have?
Hamish:
Better transport infrastructure, but that’s dull, every city is in that boat. What I’d like to see is a city wide initiative where we all agree to stop writing, posting and talking about anything negative and where we all live more positively and enjoyed others success, and all that we do have. No keyboard warriors would be allowed. They would be banished. Positivity, or live elsewhere. Negativity shouldn’t be a default setting. Let’s be a pro positivity city, and make positivity a way of being.
Peter: I agree, which is why I’m a great admirer of people with a can do approach. Best place to go for a coffee?
Hamish:
There is a Japanese Restaurant called Ichi Ichi Ku Izakaya on the corner of Domain Rd and Park St near home. They have a ‘hole in the wall’ for takeaway coffees. Soph and I get a takeaway before we take the kids into the Botanical Gardens. It might be the coffee, the company or the environment, but I know if I’m grabbing a coffee from there I’m about to have fun, so it’s my favourite spot to get a take away.
Peter: If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be?
Hamish:
I recently wrote an article on a friend of mine called Angie Cunningham who has Motor Neurone Disease. So, having given it some thought, I’d like to be Angie for a day, but only as long as Ange can be me for a day. That way Ange can walk and talk and laugh and feel, and she can hug and kiss her kids and husband Pat again. Things we all take for granted. That would work I think, I’d like for that to happen.
Peter: Hamish, thank you for your time today. Looking forward to seeing you on Monday at what will be a very special event.
To make a donation towards MND please go to – https://curemnd.org.au/
