As the year 2000 clicked over, we all experienced a great deal of excitement. To much relief, the Millennium bug didn’t destroy our computers, Streisand toured Australia and Russell Crowe found fame as a Gladiator. What’s more, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games and while U2 announced it was a Beautiful Day, a brand new magazine hit the newsstands – DNA!
Interviewing stand up comedian Harley Breen
Like many, I was intrigued with this fresh Australian publication designed solely for the gay male. In fact, I liked it so much I wanted to be involved. Already working as a Melbourne journalist, my days were filled with reviewing movies and theatre, but I wanted to spread my wings.
With Dr Chris Brown (Bondi Vet) who I’ve now interviewed twice
“My days were filled with reviewing movies and theatre, but I wanted to spread my wings. It seemed the universe was helping me along”.
Having just interviewed Golden Girl Bea Arthur, I decided to market my next article directly to an LGBTIQ audience and as it happened, my next cab off the rank was a chat with the iconic Joan Rivers. It seemed the universe was helping me along, so I contacted DNA Editor Andrew Creagh and thus began my relationship with this now twenty-year-old magazine – and its extended family.
Hanging with Takaya Honda and Matty Wilson on the set of Neighbours
For two decades, I’ve been involved with interviews, reviews and feature articles, and what an adventure it’s been, both professionally and personally. Sometimes my assignments have had all the fun and surrealism of being in a movie itself!
The Amazing Race’s amazing Beau Ryan, welcomed me into his home
I’ve been accosted by inmates at Wentworth, inspected by the coppers on The Bill and gotten to know the Neighbours on Ramsay Street. I’ve driven the Priscilla bus, warn the Kinky Boots, been smooched by the Warhorse and swarmed by 2000 Kate Bush clones at Melbourne’s Most Wuthering Heights Day. Even when not ‘working’, I’ve still managed to land myself in situations akin to an I Love Lucy episode. I’ve chatted with Russell Crowe at the AFI’s, had lunch with Hugh Jackman on the set of Australia, and met Cate Blanchett at, of all places, Sovereign Hill!
“Sometimes my assignments have had all the fun and surrealism of being in a movie itself!”
I got a lot of my celebrity friends behind the Australian marriage equality YES vote, and of course I had to include myself!
As for the interviews, I’m not sure it gets any more surreal than discussing Kate Bush with Cyndi Lauper or singing ‘I’ve Written a Letter To Daddy’ with Stephen Fry! Two gay men connecting over Baby Jane Hudson? Who knew!
On the set of Hand To God, with Gyton Grantley and meeting wicked little puppet Tyrone!
During the years, along with everyone else, I’ve seen our rights for equality change for the better. I was incredibly moved to receive so much support from different celebrities when I asked for help to promote DNA’s Vote #YES campaign, and equally humbled when I interviewed original Mardi Gras 78er Peter De Waal. One of many gay rights pioneers to whom we owe so much.
“I’ve been accosted by inmates at Wentworth, inspected by the coppers on The Bill and gotten to know the Neighbours on Ramsay Street.”
With Joel Creasey and Hugh Sheridan at the Melbourne premiere of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Apart from various articles, my regular columns have been the Theatre Preview and Our Straight Mates. The latter came about because I knew all too well the importance of having a straight ally. Having a straight ‘celebrity’ showing support for the LGBTIQ community would definitely strike a chord with readers, not to mention myself. But little did I realise how many would actually become my real straight mates.
“I’m not sure it gets any more surreal than discussing Kate Bush with Cyndi Lauper”.
Interviewing David Campbell at the Sony Studios Melbourne
I’ve watched actors such as Ian Stenlake, Stephen Mahy, Simon Gleeson, Adam-Jon Fiorentino and Josh Piterman embrace their stage careers, not to mention producers like Michael Cassel bring a whole new scope to Australian theatre. But more so, all these people have been incredibly supportive to myself. The same can be said for Dan Ewing, Ben Hall, Travis Jeffery, Ethan Panizza and Robbie Magasiva who are always around for a chat. And let’s face it, we all need that at the moment.
Of all the celebrities I’ve met, no one has come close to Joey, the War Horse!
Such friendships also extend across the globe. Stuart Reardon in the UK is my affectionate ‘Pommy mate’ and Maxwell Caulfield and Howard Rosenman have become great American buddies. And speaking of crossing the world, those Amazing Race Australia winners Tim and Rod have likewise become two amazing friends. Then there’s Josh Reid Jones, Glenn Marsden, Nick Bracks and Kurt Phelan – all passionate advocates for mental health awareness, and mates who will literally ask R U OK?
With Aussie living treasure Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum
Having said that, my family at DNA itself is exactly that. Whenever I meet with my DNA peeps I’m pumped and enthused, because there’s an infectious energy running through us all. People like Andrew Creagh and his partner Noel, Dr Brad McKay, Dr Zac Turner, Rob Goddard and so on. And where would I be without my BFF Will Fennell, who has travelled the journey with me.
“My family at DNA is exactly that”.
So I’d like to give a big shout out to all the industry folk, my work colleagues and Straight Mates who have helped colour my world, and the world of DNA. And a big thank you to our readers, because ultimately our work lands in your lap – or laptop! I hope our news, interviews, entertainment and sense of excitement continues to reach you for many years to come. Happy Twentieth Birthday DNA!
– Matthew Myers
With some of my DNA family – From left: Jamie Cummins, Jai Higgs, Will Fennell, myself and Dr Brad McKay. Front: Rob Goddard and Andrew Creagh
