Lifestyle destination program Getaway's newest presenter Matty Mills knows he's onto a good thing.
"I received the green light for the gig about a year ago, but of course we weren't able to travel because of the pandemic," he says.
He certainly has the travel bug. He was born in the north-western suburbs of Sydney; spent time on an Aboriginal mission in Collarenebri; and lived on the Central Coast and in Tamworth before returning to Sydney. After completing his Higher School Certificate, he applied for the Aboriginal Performance Course at WAAPA in Perth.
"When I found out I was accepted I only had a couple of months to get organised," he says.
"When I stepped off the plane, I felt I could [finally] be my real self. It was a blessing in disguise, because I learnt a bit about acting, but mostly I learnt about myself."
As Getaway's first Indigenous presenter, Mills say he is inspired by Ernie Dingo.
"He had a huge impact on me and the First Nations mob.
"I am not solely focused on Indigenous stories, but it is a passion. I want to share stories of Aboriginal businesses, weaving in our culture."
Getaway has now partnered with Welcome to Country, an online Indigenous tourism marketplace.
Mills says his first stories feature Welcome to Country's Burrawa Indigenous Climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Bush Food Cocktails and Canapes in Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens.
He admits he was a little nervous to start.
"But they [the crew] are such pros. The good thing is you are able to be yourself, and there is a genuine energy around you.
"I am in the two most desirable jobs - entertainment and tourism - I am very lucky," says Mills, who is also the entertainment reporter on NITV's Big Mob Brekky and The Point.
