Andrew Radford says he is thrilled to have ABC TV journalist Leigh Sales as his mentor on The Assembly. Photo: Supplied.
Asking the Prime Minister a genuinely personal question, and have him answer it, is just a dream for most journalists – but not if you’re Andrew Radford.
Andrew, 41, from Batehaven on the NSW South Coast, had that opportunity as a member of The Assembly, the ABC TV series where people living with autism learn about journalism from one of the country’s best, Leigh Sales.
In the hit series, 15 people were given the opportunity to ask questions of someone in the national spotlight – from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to adopted New Zealand son, actor and cancer survivor Sam Neill.
A joint project between Macquarie University and the ABC, The Assembly was designed as a “safe place” for those living with autism – but maybe slightly less safe for the politicians and celebrities who faced their questions.
Like the one to Sam Neill about his love life. Asked why he had had so many girlfriends, the actor struggled to answer. Then, determining Sam was single, as was Leigh, the interviewer asked why they didn’t get together.
“I’m blushing,” Leigh said. “So am I,” said Sam.
“You were supposed to pass the questions by me first,” Leigh said, laughing.
Andrew also chose a personal question, albeit less embarrassing, in a rare opportunity to ask our nation’s leader what defined him as Anthony Albanese, rather than as a PM.
“Doing my best to hold on to my values,” Mr Albanese replied.
Andrew, who has worked at Batemans Bay Library for 23 years, said he jumped at the opportunity to go on The Assembly.
He had just completed a Future Leaders course with Autism CRC which suggested he apply.
“They put out a call for casting and someone told me I’d be good at it,” he said. “I ended up getting selected, and it was an amazing experience.
“They asked me why I was interested in journalism and I said there should be more inclusive reporting, including by people with autism.”
As for the experience interviewing the Prime Minister?
“He was a really nice man,” Andrew said.
“I also loved working with Leigh Sales. She helped us with our questions. She suggested we try to think of questions to ask that people hadn’t asked them before.
“She said it was also good to ask questions they couldn’t just answer with a yes or a no.
“I loved how she was so generous with her knowledge.”
Andrew Radford and his other passion – tending the vegetable garden at his Batehaven home. Photo: Supplied.
Later this month, Andrew will head to Canberra for a six-week internship with the ABC – and he can’t wait. His job: to find good, positive stories about people living with disabilities.
And like the good journalist he hopes to become, he isn’t afraid of tackling the big Canberra issues.
A former TAFE student, earning certificates in horticulture and animal care at Moruya TAFE, Andrew wants to connect his two passions while in Canberra – journalism and gardening.
“I’m going to be working on a gardening project when I come to Canberra – looking at the best time to plant tomatoes.”
Well aware it is one of the most controversial questions among Canberrans, Andrew knows it won’t be an easy task. But be it journalism or horticulture, you can guarantee he will have done his research.
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