‘Bored’ Brighton walker responds to Andrews’ dig
The Melbourne woman who became an overnight social media sensation after declaring she had “done all of Brighton” has clapped back after the Premier called her out in a press conference.
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The ‘Brighton walker’ who became an online sensation for her views on coronavirus restrictions has laughed off backlash from Premier Daniel Andrews and the public.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the previously unnamed woman is Jodi Grollo, the daughter of one of Victoria’s richest men, pokies king Bruce Mathieson, whose fortune was estimated at $870 million in 2019.
Ms Grollo, who quipped last week that she had “done all of Brighton” when asked about restrictions on travelling for exercise, told the Herald Sun the public reaction to her comments “made her weekend”.
During a press conference on Saturday, Mr Andrews made a thinly veiled dig at Ms Grollo, saying: “whether you’re in Broadmeadows or Brighton, stay at home means stay at home”.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Ms Grollo said she didn’t tune into the Premier’s press conference and hadn’t read any of the online criticism aimed at her.
“I’m not on social media so I didn’t see any [of the backlash]. To be honest, I found it funny – it made my weekend,” she said.
“I’m providing people with some light entertainment to get them through the Dan-demic.”
Ms Grollo was walking at The Tan in the CBD last week and responded to questions about coronavirus restrictions that limited Victorians to exercising locally.
“Well, you get sick of walking the same streets. You know, I’ve done all of Brighton,” she said candidly.
On Saturday, the Labor Premier, a self-proclaimed champion of the working class, made a thinly veiled reference to the “Brighton walker” during his daily COVID-19 update.
“I’ve got a very clear message to every single Victorian, particularly some of those featured on social media: whether you are in Broadmeadows or Brighton, stay at home means stay at home,” he said.
“And if walking your local streets is boring, well, being bored is much better than being in intensive care. That’s my clear message.”
Victorians were quick to draw the connection on social media, where the walker was sledged for being “tone-deaf” and “privileged”.
But the subtle dig infuriated Brighton MP James Newbury, who labelled the Premier a “creep” and said his comments were an attack on the wealthy bayside suburb.
“(Daniel Andrews) has taken a nasty swing at Brighton — another example of the Premier attacking Victorians,” the Liberal MP wrote.
Ms Grollo is the wife of Gianni Grollo, who is related to construction and developer legends Bruno and Rino Grollo.
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