Behind the Scenes

Fifi's blog: Attack of the black swan!

Nov 03 04:20pm

Follow our weather presenter on her adventures around the country.

UPDATED Tuesday 3 November

I can't really call this week 'work'. For me this week's all about play as I'm living at the Melbourne Cup Carnival and when I say live, I really mean that.

My mornings with Sunrise are jam packed and my days with Seven Sport are taken up interviewing the excited masses teeming through the gates at Flemington. I do get a little time to schmooze in the exclusive Birdcage - a gorgeous world of yummy canapes, powder rooms and metrosexual guys in the best-looking suits you've ever seen.

It's hard not to get completely involved in the excitement of the races, placing a cheeky bet, dressing up and guessing which horse will be next to make it into the racing history books. I even scored myself a survival kit in the Myer Marquee and added my own super glue (for heels of course), little black book (for numbers of course) and chocolate (for the obvious craving). My clutch is bulging at the seams but it's ok, I think I'm set to last 'til evening.
 
We were oh-so-lucky to grab an exclusive moment with Brad Rawiller on Monday, riding Cup Day favourite, Viewed. He was such a great guy and gave us all an insight into what its like to prepare for the race that stops a nation. I'd last five minutes as a jockey - fruit for brekky and lunch and brown rice and vegies for dinner....

I much prefer to be the spectator!

There's as much emotion behind the scenes as there is track side on the big race days. I caught Danni Minogue's boyfriend, Kris Smith who was madly texting Danni all of the horses racing in today's Cup - which it took him about 20 minutes. That's dedication.

Here's a pic of the two of us hanging out in the Myer Marquee. My tip for today - Viewed 'cause I met jockey, Brad and Alcopop - can't make the executive decision to choose one!

 

 

UPDATED Thusday October 29 

When I get to hold reptiles, some people think SCARY but I think complete FUN!

Heights petrify me but having a tree frog on my shoulder... a bunch of snakes in one hand, a big slug in another ... or a gecko on my head actually didnt bother me in the slightest.

The Reptile Park in Gosford was terrific and Wazza and Mick looked after me throughout the whole morning, handling the more dangerous and venomous creatures the park has on offer. I am thinking about buying a pet snake because you only have to feed them once a week... and that's just about all the time I get at home these days.

DISCO BOWLING
Tuesday - talk about a contrast!

On Tuesday I went disco bowling and took on Kev, a 19 year old up-and-coming bowler. It took me many tries but finally, by the end of the show, I scored some strikes against the youthful champ.

The best bit about bowling was getting to choose my faveourite 80s music to dance to as I bowled (and I'm not meant to be saying this, but when I wasn't doing my TV crosses, I continued bowling against the crew! Gotta love that!)

BEER ME
OK, so I'm not a beer lover but geez the XXXX infamous brewery in Milton, Brissie was a real blast. I learnt to pour the perfect beer, going one up against a beer craft specialist, Andrew from XXXX.

The tours were great, even if you are a girly girl like me.

SEGWAYS

Thursday came rolling around and I got to trial the first off-road segways which are those two-wheeler things you see people riding around on just for fun. How did you think I did? I was able to speed up and down the pavillion and when I got tired I just chilled out at Southbank's man-made lagoon.

What an idea. Whack a beach in the middle of a city to cool off. Love it.

We're doing something very special for a Sunrise viewer on Friday and I can't share too much at this stage but the story is wonderful. Tune in then.

Fifi.

UPDATED Sunday October 24

I found myself in another history lesson at the 'A Day in Pompeii' exhibition at the Melbourne Museum where I caught up with a couple of strapping centurions.

What a phenomenal story.

I was shocked to be able to see the casts of the bodies that have been restored from 2000 years ago.

On Wednesday I was up to my ears in cherries for the annual cherry auction held at the Sydney Markets. All the money raised from the first box of cherries is donated to NSW Children's charity. They sold for a whopping $25,000!

In the navy....do do do do do do do...in the navy...I spent a whole morning with the guys and girls of HMAS Newcastle. What a lovely bunch of sailors. We geared up a massive missile launcher, sang Happy Birthday to the chief officer and had a real sailors brekky.

You just wouldn't believe how good the porridge was onboard!

The best thing about the day was all the sailor's families were onboard checking out the life of a seaman and, for anyone in Sydney who missed it, you can check out the ships down at Kattabul base.

And on Friday, a live proposal on air....it took Jessie a lot of guts to fly down to Melbourne and keep the entire morning a secret from Chantel. You should've seen the ring - it was a rock - and luckily she said yes!

Ohhhh, happy families!

Fifi.

UPDATED September 22

Well the last three of days have felt like ten, it's been such a whirlwind.

I did get some peace and quiet at a Japanese spa resort in Montrose on Monday. I even got to wear a kimono and ponder what my life would be like making cups of green tea all day. Aaaah.

Did you know that for someone learning the art of tea in Japan, it can take ten years to get it right!?

After such a relaxing morning I hit the red (blue) carpet with Hawthorn's Brad Sewell on Monday night for the Brownlow. It was all glitz and glamour. I had an absolute blast.

My fashion faves were Felicity Percival and Rebecca Twigley - she did it again. Stunning.

I've just spent a day by the bay at St Kilda Marina and today I finally got a chance to go behind the scenes at the great acting institution of NIDA.

This is where many of our amazing Aussie actors and actresses have been schooled. Cate Blanchett is just one of the NIDA's students and Happy Birthday to them, NIDA is celebrating its 50th year!


I'm off now on a little break of my own. Ill see you back on the air in a couple of weeks. We've got some big surprises coming up so Ill see you all on my return. James Tobin will be looking after the weather for me.

Fifi.

PS.

Here is raw footage of my time on the Blue Carpet at the Brownlow Medal.

My only question is, if it's the BROWNlows, why is the carpet blue? 

UPDATED September 21

Today I was in Melbourne and had a little bit of trouble staying put. Just another clip for my blooper reel!

UPDATED 16 September 2009

This week started at sky high in Mt Dandenong, Victoria. What an amazing view!

And if anyone's looking for a wedding planner, talk to Graham. Imagine having your wedding with a view of the whole of Melbourne. Pretty spesh.

Tuesday was very action packed. I'm a massive Dan Brown fan and have been waiting for his new novel for five years... and now it's here!

 

I was lucky enough to be the first person in Australia to see and touch the first copy of Dan's new book, The Lost Symbol. The book was even signed by the legend himself.

Today, ola! It's Mexican Independance Day. I was learning some new moves in Federation Square in Melbourne with a stack of salsa dancers. I smashed a pinata - very Mexican - and caught up with my Dancing with the Stars' friend, Luda.

http://l.yimg.com/ao/i/tv/sunrise/0909/160909-fifi-box-salsa-melb.jpg

Tomorrow, I'm off to Silvan in the hills, an hour's drive from Melbourne. I'm going to get lost amongst the tulips...and come Friday, I'm hitting the Royal Melbourne Show for some woodchopping, show bags, and old fashioned fun.

Mum took me and my brothers as a kid so can't wait to pile up on showbags she wouldn't let me buy.

 

Fifi

---------------

UPDATED 10 August 2009

Many of you have asked what happened to Fifi's arm, now that she is appearing on the show with it in a sling.

The story starts last Wednesday August 5, also Day 5 of Fifi covering the Australasian Safari from Laverton WA.

True to her form of trying everything out, Fifi Box came a cropper. Fifi admits that she did, as threatened, get on a bike, and then "got off it pretty quickly!"

 

"I wasn't even on the bike at the time, and it was in gear... As I lent over to jump on the bike..."

"I pulled down, it went, took me with it and then my hand got caught in the [back of the bike]." 

"Like most of my accidents it's had a lot to do with over-confidence and lack of skill..."

Fifi sustained a broken wrist.

She treated by local doctors and, remarkably, faced the cameras again the next day - with the painkillers mostly worn off!

Watch video below

 

6 Comments Report Abuse
1. jonbiddell - Aug 10 03:24pm
Can you arrange for Fifi to teach Kyle Sandilands to ride ? Please ??...:-)
2. aimee.bell_7 - Aug 10 08:55pm
I think the premiums on Fifi's insurance have sky rocketed
3. me_me_198 - Sep 16 08:25pm
Fifi,
We're scuba instructors with Pleasure Divers on Magnetic Island in Queensland and love watching where you are and what you're doing every day. We would love for you to come and do your show from here. You could try some scuba diving or film from the beautiful beaches here.
Please! Michelle :)
4. gbfcad - Sep 23 03:51pm
Is It just me or does anyone else notice that when Fifi laughs, she sounds just like 'Pixie Ann Wheatley'? Don't get me wrong. I mean it in a nice way. She is very gorgeous and clearly a lovely girl.
5. geraldine.doecke - Sep 23 04:32pm
Fifi on the rocks made me laugh so much I cried. so funny. She is a sport, thats for sure.
6. karen_glock - Oct 27 09:26am
I love Fifi...she is one of those women you just know everyone loves and could never hate. She has an infectious laughter, smile and personality. I have never met her but I love watching her on telly. She always makes me laugh. What a gorgeous woman she is. Good onya Fifi. have a fabulous day. Kazz
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