Sunrise focus on breakfast

By Alison Noonan
WHEN Cranbourne North teenager Josh Conder woke yesterday he knew the whole of Australia would be watching.
The 15-year-old ate his brekkie under the lights of a television camera when popular breakfast program Sunrise broadcast live from his Lupin Court home.
The visit was part of the “Aussie Made and Proud” competition in which the station throws an early morning party for five “neighbourly” streets throughout the country.
Viewers are asked to submit a short article on why their street deserves to host a Sunrise Street Party and the winning entries each receive a barbecue breakfast and entertainment for 200 guests.
Josh said he was astounded that his entry won.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“I watch Sunrise every morning after my paper round. I come home at 6am and watch it until I go to school.
“I heard about the competition and thought my street would be perfect.
“They said the street party would be held for neighbours who help each other out and that’s what we do in my street.”
Josh, a year nine student at Cranbourne Secondary College, said Lupin Court was renowned for its Christmas light display, which required a team effort from neighbours to pull off each year.
“We are all friends and we all help each other out, especially at Christmas,” he said.
“Even the little kids help out. The light display is so good we have had buses and mini vans stuck in our court looking at them,” he said.
Josh likened the camaraderie in his court to that on Channel Ten soapie Neighbours and said he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
“We play street cricket in the afternoon and we are always holding barbecues and parties.
“I love living in my court. There are lots of kids and we all grew up together,” he said.
Josh said he had made a bunch of new school friends with his winning entry and invited his entire class to join in the morning celebrations.
“The whole class wants to come. Everyone wants to get their face on TV. But I’ve got 200 invitations so it’s okay.
“I walked into the teachers’ room the other day and they said ‘here’s the TV star’. It’s pretty cool,” he said.
Josh said he enjoyed a hectic morning schedule of rehearsals and live crosses during his first stint in front of the camera.
“We did rehearsals from 5.30am to 6am and then there was three live crosses.
“We had a big barbecue thrown by the local Rotary Club and there were police and council representatives there.
“I spoke to Mel and Kochie and then they spoke to my neighbours and we played a game of street cricket,” he said.
“It was really exciting and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m glad they chose my court.”