Brooke Blurton on new experiences, overcoming adversity, and traveling with Ernie Dingo
Brooke Blurton is someone with many strings to her bow. The world fell in love with Blurton when he first appeared on our screens as a contestant Bachelor Australia, presents a media career that has included television, podcasting, and the release of a memoir, as well as his role as a youth worker, and a passion for sports.
Blurton has been a trailblazer in the field, using her various platforms to champion mental health awareness, indigenous rights, and LGBTQ+ representation.
Now, Blurton is stepping into the role of host as part of the new season of the acclaimed travel series Traveling with Ernie Dingo. Along with beloved host Dingo, award-winning broadcaster Rae Johnston, and actor Mark Coles-Smith, Blurton embarks on a special journey to discover the people and places in his own backyard.
“It’s a dream come true,” Blurton told SBS.
“Uncle Ernie has been an inspiration to me in terms of what he has done for the community so, when I was asked to be a part of it, obviously it was a definite yes.”
The new format in the series’ seventh season follows each boss, alongside Dingo, as they spend an entire episode exploring one region in depth. As a proud Noongar-Yamatji woman, Blurton says the opportunity to experience locations in the series alongside Dingo has been rewarding both professionally and personally.
“When we met, we were like two peas in a pod,” Blurton explained.
“I had a lot of good times with Uncle Ernie who I feel has a big impact on my life, because I don’t have a lot of living family, and I look up to people like him who inspire me.
“He is the one who opened these doors for us, especially me, Ray, Mark, and I set an example, now we are following in his footsteps.”
We all want to meet new people, have new experiences and have fun.
While the series takes viewers on an immersive and scenic journey through some of Australia’s most unique landscapes, it’s also an opportunity to meet those who call these places home. On a visit to the town of Tom Price in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Blurton met artist Jenna Pickering and discovered that it’s often the people in the area that make it what it is.
“Jenna and I met and it was like two friends meeting for coffee,” Blurton recalls.
“He’s such a talented artist, and it was nice to remember that, in the end, we’re all human, and this is a great opportunity for us to tell the stories of the people we meet.”
It was also a chance for Blurton, who grew up in Western Australia, to revisit his childhood memories and see the places he visited as a child in a new light.
“I love being in WA and every time I get the chance to talk about Western Australia, I just get this confusion,” Blurton said.
“I had been through Tom Price when I was very young, and my family and I would occasionally walk up to Karratha, so when I was there with Jenna, I just had this flood of nostalgia.
“The smells, and the food, and the feeling you have, it’s like, ‘Oh, I miss these streets.’
One of Blurton’s episodes sees him travel to the Red Center and train alongside one of Australia’s most successful First Nations runners, Charlie Maher. It’s an experience that stands out in Blurton as one of the series’ most memorable moments.
“(Charlie and I) obviously connected with that kind of athlete mentality,” he explains.
“I played football for many years until I had to turn to running because my job does not allow me to commit to playing time.
“I’ve had a hard time over the years, and I’ve made a life for myself, but I’m always in a position to tell my story, so it was nice to be on the other side, to hear Charlie’s story and what he’s trying to achieve in the world. It really, really reminded me how amazing people are.”
Blurton says he wanted to bring a new perspective to it Travel Destinationsgiving young viewers a portable lens through which to enjoy the beauty and diversity of Australia.
“My goal was to bring a new generation and a voice to the show, but also for viewers and former viewers to understand that young people can tell stories,” she said.
“My father always tells me that we are all students in life.” As First Nations people, it is clear that we have been telling stories traditionally for a long time. It is rooted in us, but we are also all learners, and we all want to meet new people, have new experiences and enjoy happiness.
Stepping into the role of presenter, especially as part of a series focused on country and communication, was an important moment for Blurton in his career.
“It all feels so fulfilling to me. Being a part of the show just reminds me of how far I’ve come, how much I’ve grown as a person, and how much courage and bravery I’ve been able to show over the years to do the things I do.”
As for what he will take away from presenting with Dingo, Blurton says that his teaching, as a pioneer in broadcasting and a pioneer in sharing First Nations culture through film and television, has proved to be very useful.
“I think the biggest thing I’ll take away from him in terms of motivation is that he has a way of connecting with people that you can’t explain.
“He’s a very connected man, and I’d be happy if I could just transfer his mind to mine and understand what it’s like to know so many people and be connected to them.”
Traveling with Ernie Dingo It premieres on SBS and SBS On Demand on Friday February 20 at 7:30pm and on NITV on Thursday February 26 at 7:30pm.
Traveling with Ernie Dingo
