Hamish Macdonald has been brought to tears seeing his friend and colleague Dylan Alcott accept the award for 2022 Australian of the Year.
Speaking about his struggles with self-acceptance as a teenager, the tennis star’s victory speech hit harder than a first serve.
When the cameras cut back to Macdonald to wrap up the evening, the television presenter had to fight back tears.
“Your Australian of the year for 2022 – Dylan Alcott. We’re so proud of you buddy,” MacDonald said.
Both of the men have worked on programs for the ABC in the past year and frequently act as presenters for various shows.
MacDonald experienced a challenging year of his own, leaving his hosting role on Q+A to return to The Project.
He has spoken openly of the “overwhelming” abuse he copped while hosting the flagship ABC program, describing the hideous comments as “pretty isolating”.
Alcott is the first person ever with a disability to win Australian of the Year and said he would use the role to draw more respect and acceptance for others like him.
“I really hope I make you proud out there,” Alcott said during his emotional speech.
“Winning grand slams and gold medals isn’t my purpose. My purpose is changing perceptions so people with disability, people like me, can get out there and live the lives they deserve to live.”
Alcott described how a lack of positive media representation growing up left him feeling like his life was not worth as much as others.
“I’ve known nothing but having a disability. And if I’m honest, I cannot tell you how much I used to hate myself,” he said.
“I hated being different and I didn’t want to be here anyxjmtzywmore. Whenever I turned on the TV, I never saw anybody like me. And whenever I did it was a road safety ad where someone drink drives, has a car accident, and the next scene is someone like me in tears because their life was over.”
Now, through a combination of his own hard work and the support of friends and family, Alcott says he is proud of himself and what he has achieved.
“I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. Not literally – I still can’t stand,” he joked.
“I love my disability,” he said.
“It is the best thing that ever happened to me. It really is.
“I love the person that I am and the life I get to live and I’m the luckiest guy in this country, easily.”
MacDonald and Alcott were seen enjoying the moment after the ceremony wrapped up.
