Gold Coast local Joel Hurrey is used to being in the spotlight. Perhaps best known for his role in cult Aussie program Domestic Blitz, Joel is currently celebrating other successes within the Australian media landscape. We sat down and had a chat with our very own Gold Coast success story.
The theme of this issue is celebration, and in everything you do, you look like you are celebrating life! Can you tell us a bit about what you do?
I’m a television presenter and have been for just over 8 years. Yes it’s my dream job, any job that takes you around the world has to be good. I guess I’m best known as the Landscaper on Domestic Blitz, Channel Nine. With anything if you believe in it enough you can make it happen. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into where I am today. It is a testing industry.
How did you get into this industry?
Very much the right place at the right time. I auditioned for a reality renovation show called Battlefront. After four gruelling auditions I managed to land a spot on the show, from there I went onto Domestic Blitz, The Boat Show, Mysurf.tv to name a few and now a regular spot on Channel Seven’s The Morning Show.
What’s your favourite thing about the work you get to do?
Standing in front of a camera. Seriously, I feel I really shine when I am looking down the barrel of a camera. My job always offers me something different and exciting. In the television world I do believe you need thick skin and a serious can-do attitude, if you have all that you’re a born presenter [laughs].
Could you explain to our readers a bit about your television show Mysurf.tv?
Mysurf.tv is a surfing show (on FOX Sport) covering everything that is happening in the surfing world, hosted by myself and Ellie Jean Coffey. We cover the week that was of surfing. Events, profiles, board designs and my favourite new and amazing talent. Mysurf.tv is up there with one of the most fun shows I’ve filmed. As a surfer of 17 years, I now get to report on surfing… It’s awesome!
Tell me about being the Cleo Bachelor of the Year Runner Up. What made you want to do something like that?
Cleo Bachelor of the Year was a “different” experience. I guess you could say it was a privilege to be nominated. When you look at the talent I was up against I felt I went alright [laughs]. My profile was only young so I felt it would be a great profile booster, I never knew I would be a runner up. By the end of it I had met heaps of industry people and enjoyed a cracking party.
What is your favourite thing about living on the Gold Coast?
Knowing that after a busy week or two I get to come home to this. Nothing beats stepping off a plane at Cooly airport. Instant smile on my face.
Although the theme of this issue is meant to be about celebration, I have to ask, what is your opinion on sharks and the recent attacks at Australian beaches?
It’s funny you ask, I have recently started my own segment on The Morning Show called “Walk on the Wild Side” and I regularly get asked to do shark stories to help people understand sharks better. It is always a fine line between what people know and what they want to believe about sharks. We share their natural environment with then, we know they are always there… Unfortunately with an ever growing population, global warming and more people entering the water I feel it’s inevitable. All I can say is don’t look for trouble. Swim between the flags and don’t surf or swim at dawn or dusk.
On a completely different topic, how do you like to relax in your down time?
I have a young family what is down time? [Laughs]. My daughter Kalanni is nearly two and my newest little man Reef just about to go four months.
What have you got planned for the future?
The Morning Show has just kicked off and I am currently in discussions with Channel Seven about future opportunities, which I’m very excited about! 2015 will be all about growing my profile within Channel Seven and working as hard as I can to make it all happen.
Thankyou so much for talking to us today Joel and good luck with everything in the future!
Thankyou and feel free to follow my journey on Facebook or through my Twitter pages.