Jarron Andy, a 26-year-old former Painter and Banana farmhand from Innisfail near Cairns is now the first Indigenous Home Shopping TV Presenter in Australia.
Jarron’s first taste of the spotlight was when he entered his first modelling competition in Cairns at the age of 22. Jarron recalls winning that modelling competition, which was open to both male and female contestants, but promoters had anticipated a female winner;
“When I received my prizes for winning, all the products were for a female. Luckily I’m the kind of bloke that likes looking after his skin.”
Since winning that modelling competition in Cairns, Jarron has had the ambition to move from his hometown towards bigger opportunities and that’s exactly what he did soon after by moving to Sydney. He has modelled for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and has now landed his first full-time TV job as a TV Presenter for the Australian Shopping Network, who broadcast on Channel 75 with their 24/7 Shopping Channel openshop.
“Dad jokes that I’ve gone from working with my hands carrying the bananas and paintbrushes, to wrapping my hands around a hairdryer instead. He thinks working in TV will turn me soft and I won’t be able to keep up with the fellas in the paddocks when I come home to visit.”
Jarron grew up in a broken home and but is still very close to both his mother, father and siblings, family is the most important thing to him. He’s a proud uncle and tries to get home as much as he can. Jarron’s Indigenous heritage and the community he grew up in are something he’s incredibly proud of and discusses openly.
“I remember a moment when I was 7, I was painted in traditional colours and wearing the traditional laplap dancing with my cousins for the elders of our community. At such a young age I didn’t truly understand the importance of the practice, now as a leader in my community I understand how significant it is celebrating my culture as it’s a part of my identity.”
Head of openshop Production Scott Ebsworth said:
“Showing a true representation of the cultural diversity in Australia is part of the openshop philosophy. We employ 130 people from every continent on this globe and we believe our presenter team should be representative of all Australians.”
