“It’s just been fabulous fun”: ABC farewells Antony Green
Broadcaster signs off after 3 decades of calling elections, but not without a night of tech glitches.
- Published by David Knox
- on
It wouldn’t be an ABC Federal Election night without Antony Green, last night was his final after three decades with the public broadcaster.
Former Prime Ministers, from both sides of politics, paid tribute to Green for his knowledge and authority in calling election results for Australians.
“I came here on a six month contract in 1989 to do a research book for the 1990 federal election,” he told viewers at the end of a long live broadcast,” Green recalled.
“Ian Carroll, who hired me, took a punt. There were 150 applicants, but there was only one with serious computer skills. He thought ‘You can talk to the engineers,’ which I did. We designed the computer system, somehow Iended up on camera. People like Kerry O’Brien, Paul Lyneham, all backed me over the year,. Quentin Dempster, many other people. There’s been so many engineers and computer programmers I’ve worked with them. I’ve always had to be very cautious, that I’m prepared to work stupid hours, but I can’t ask programmers to work ridiculous hours like me.
“Look, it’s been fabulous fun. I enjoyed developing websites. I’ve enjoyed educating people on how the systemswork. I’ve enjoyed the work I did on reforming the Senate system, and I’m a bit overwhelmed by all this. It’s the biggest bunch of flowers I’ve ever had in my life. Thank you for all, it’s just been fabulous fun.”
But it also wouldn’t be an ABC election night without technical failures.
Green’s struggles with his high tech screen came as early as 6:22pm, but worse was to come when servers crashed and ABC was unable to show results for around an hour.
What a night to send off the best in the data biz.
- Tagged with ABC News, Federal Election
5 Responses
I was at a Labor candidate’s afterparty – the TV at the venue was on ABC. There was a huge cheer when Antony called the election won – because when Antony calls it you know it’s 100% true. There was lots of love for him, and not only because he called the result we wanted! He’ll definitely be missed – in elections, he has been that overused word: an icon.
I flipped between all of the channels, wanted to see Jacqui Lambie on 10 which was too brief an appearance. A bit of Clive on 7, just for laughs but couldn’t really stomach him, not much going on for 9. Watched mostly ABC specifically to see Antony among other reasons, & this was a lovely tribute to him & really well done.
James Weir at news.com.au has a funny but insightful article which summed up many of my flipping between the four TV broadcasts last night.
For starters, the exclusive Channel 7 motorcycle-cam who lost the car cavalcade for most of the journey.
Take a bow Antony Green retiring ABC’s Chief Election Analyst On a job well done, and enjoy your retirement.
I spent the evening going between ABC and 9. It was a beautiful tribute to Anthony at the end.