‘Thank you for accepting me’: Today presenter Brooke Boney’s emotional goodbye
The popular TV presenter has departed the show with an emotional goodbye after five years on the program.
Today presenter Brooke Boney has bid farewell to the program after five years.
Boney announced she’d be stepping down from her role as Today presenter back in March, and is set to study at England’s Oxford University.
She expressed her gratitude for all the opportunities she was given while speaking on the program on Friday morning, adding she’s achieved things she “never dreamed possible”.
“I’m so grateful for every opportunity that I’ve been given here, I’ve done things I never dreamed possible,” she said.
“I grew up in housing commission, so this is really beyond my wildest dreams.
“As a young person I didn’t see much of a future for myself beyond what my little imagination could conjure up.
“Because of the labour of my mum and my grandparents, who are back in Muswellbrook, it wasn’t as bleak as it could have been.”
She added her good fortune has been “hard won by those who came before (her)”.
“It’s not just luck, it’s hard work on my part as well, it’s a combination of all of those things and I’m just eternally grateful,” she said.
Boney, a proud Gamilaroi Gomeroi woman, also said Today was the first breakfast show in Australia to have an Aboriginal person as a full-time host.
“And now it is a very normal thing to do in this timeslot, and I am proud of that,” she said, before thanking the audience.
“Thank you for accepting me,” she said.
“I know that I don’t fit the mould and I’m grateful for each and every one of you for tuning in every day.”
Boney was joined by her mother Leonie Craft during the emotional moment.
Today host Karl Stefanovic paid a sweet tribute to Boney during the program.
“We love you and everything you represent, how hard you work,” he said.
“I think the last two weeks in the Olympics demonstrated how much range you have, how much immediate connection you have with anyone you walk along the street with.”
Sarah Abo took the opportunity to thank Boney for all her hard work.
“Very few people know what it’s actually like to wake up at an ungodly hour and be ready to present 3.5 hours of live television to an audience,” she said.
“It’s a tough transition and you’ve been there for all of us and it’s so appreciated, and we could not be prouder of you and happier for you.
“So thrilled to see how you have just excelled day in, day out and what you’re going to produce going forward. ”