Students, seniors and families rose early on Wednesday to see Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac broadcast live from Robertson Park.
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The morning television show personality visited Orange as part of his A-Z tour of Australia, a pledge to visit a city or town beginning with a different letter of the alphabet.
He said he’d first pitched the idea of a country tour years ago, but the scale of the project had meant it took a few years to get off the ground.
I knew people would get competitive, towns would go up against each other – which they have
- Sam Mac
“I know how proud people are of their hometowns. I knew people would get competitive, towns would go up against each other – which they have,” he said.
“There’s so much to show off in Australia. From a tourism perspective it’s massive, people in Sydney will be watching thinking ‘why haven’t I had a weekend in Orange? I should’.”
Gnoo Blas Classical Car Club parked 12 vintage vehicles on the grass, Orange showgirl Heidi Knight talked about her new role, Orange High School choir performed, Charred Kitchen and Bar gave Mr Mac a taste of its popular apple dessert and Millthorpe Garden Ramble committee member Lyndal Harrison spoke about all things Spring gardening.
She said having the television visit days before the annual weekend garden ramble was very fortunate.
“Orange is at its best this time of year – Spring is when everything looks lovely,” Mrs Harrison said.
“Having said that the other seasons are pretty magic too.”
VIDEO: Take a walk around Robertson Park on Wednesday morning...
Mrs Harrison said her moment in the spotlight had been a bit of fun.
“Their [the Sunrise production crew] humour and the whole vibe of ‘a little bit crazy’, relaxed us,” she said.
Musician Sebastian Jones-Mazariegos described performing in front of the cameras as “terrifying”, but said it was nice to be acknowledged for his hard work.
“I already support myself with the music I make, if [being on television] means I can show more people – that’s all I want to do,” he said.
The Sunrise production team visited for a good time not a long time, flying in Tuesday night and out of Orange after they read the weather on Wednesday.
Hoping to have the tour wrapped up before Christmas, the team’s quest to tick off the letter ‘P’ was taking them to Port Hedland this Friday.
They said the turn out in Robertson Park was one of the biggest welcomes they’ve received.
THE SUNRISE A-Z TOUR:
WHERE HAS SAM MAC BEEN?
A = Ararat, VIC B = Ballarat, VIC C = Crafers, SA D = Dangar Island, NSW E = Echuca, VIC F = Forster, NSW G = Geelong, VIC H = Hervey Bay, QLD I = Ipswich, QLD J = Jervis Bay, NSW K = Katoomba, NSW L = Launceston, TAS M = Mackay, QLD N = Nerang, QLD O = Orange, NSW... P = Port Hedland, WA
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