WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME
Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox this week became an Australian citizen, eight years after signing with the Magpies as an International rookie. He is proud to call Australia home
AUSTRALIA to me means two things: opportunity and embracing others. From the day I landed here there have been so many people that have looked and cared after me. They are the reason I have experienced so many amazing things and without them I would not be where I am today. Every opportunity I have been given is because of how welcoming Australians have been to me and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.
WHY DID YOU FEEL THE NEED TO BECOME A CITIZEN?
I have always admired the culture of Australia. From having the oldest continuous culture in the world to the journey it is on now. It is such a young nation full of people from all over the world that is full of hope for the future ahead. I couldn’t think of a better place to want to spend the rest of my life.
WHAT AUSSIE PRODUCT HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST?
Plenty of things have surprised me over the years. One that always sticks out though is how everything is abbreviated. From people’s names to ordinary things around the house it seems as though everything has a nickname. That took a bit to understand when I first came here and now I love teaching my friend overseas some of the crazy sayings of Australians.
THE WEIRDEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES?
Guns, healthcare, decent minimum wage (haha!). I think Australians are looked at as a bit exotic to Americans. They are always the life of the party and so positive about everything that happens in life. One of my favourite sayings is the classic, “She’ll be right”. It sums up Australians so well. Also the idea of “work to live, not live to work” is something I have become very fond of in the culture here.
WILL YOU SUPPORT THE US
OR AUSTRALIA NOW IN THE WORLD CUP AND WHY?
This is a hard one. I sit on the fence a bit, but when the World Cup comes to Brisbane, I think I will have to go for Australia. I have met so many amazing athletes that have represented this country so well it will be hard to root for, or should I say barrack for, another country even if it is against the US.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE AUSSIE CELEBRITIES & WHY?
I have a podcast now called The Mason Cox Show where I interview celebrities. My top preferences I would love to get on are Daniel Ricciardo, Chris Hemsworth, Miranda Kerr, and Tones and I. I think there are so many great representatives of this country around the world and people making a big difference in and out of their industry that I could list hundreds of people.
YOUR OPINION OF VEGEMITE?
I am not a massive lover of it after my first experience was a whole spoonful with nothing else and that put me off it for years. In due time, I will learn to love it I think. I did have fairy bread recently and that experience was very interesting knowing the children in Australia crave bread with butter and sprinkles.