Supa Tony Morrison of Cleveland will have the best seat in the house at this year's Ekka to watch the super cars, the bikes and the monster trucks that he loves the most.
This year, he has landed his dream hosting job, not only compering the Ekka Nights shows, but putting the show together and performing a never seen before stunt within the show.
"I actually don't like crowds, but here I will be every night, with a crowd of 20,000 people hosting a show I have coordinated and written myself. Things have turned full circle for me. I am over the moon to present to what will be my biggest live audience in my own hometown," he said.
Morrison said he had been approached to host at this year's Ekka, after running the ring events at the Townsville show for more than a decade and has since been asked to host in Darwin. He has a string of hosting events to his credit, including Miss Universe Australia, Red Bull events, giving away $4m at Star Casinos and locally, at the former Strawberry Festival and events at the Grand View Hotel. He is in demand as a corporate keybote speaker and presenter.
"I get really excited and word has travelled. I love what I do. It's gold. And when I am excited about doing what I do, everyone else gets excited too. That's how you catch the crowd," he said.
Morrison keeps his excitement keyed as the Redland snake catcher and a stunt car performer. He has also worked as a circus performer and stilt walker.
"I go out to snake calls almost every day in summer and about three or four times a week in winter. It makes me feel like I am saving the day. You can't get any more exciting than this," he said.
This year's Ekka Nights involves a Movie stunt show with a good guys versus bad guys theme. Both police cars are driven by two of Australia's top stunt women and Morrison will perform his own stunts within the show.
The show continues with monster trucks and freestyle motocross riders, leading to the night's fireworks.
This year's Ekka runs from August 9 to 18. More on ekka.com.au