Tony Briggs

Career Television Between 1987 and 1988, Briggs had the recurring role of banker Pete Baxter on television soap opera Neighbours. This was followed by many roles in television series such as Blue Heelers, Stingers and The Man From Snowy River. From 1997 he appeared in children's television series Ocean Girl as Dave Hartley.

From 2009, Briggs appeared in the television series The Circuit as Mick Mathers. In 2011, Briggs played Bilal in The Slap, based on the book by Christos Tsiolkas.

He also had a role in Redfern Now in 2012. In 2016, he played the role of Boondee in the television drama series Cleverman and Brett in Nowhere Boys: Two Moons Rising. In 2017 he had a role in Seven Types of Ambiguity and was involved in creating and writing the series The Warriors as well as appearing in a small role.

In 2024, Briggs was announced as part of the cast for Population 11.

Theatre Briggs wrote the Helpmann Award-winning play The Sapphires, first performed in 2004. It tells the story of The Sapphires, a singing group of four Koori women who tour Vietnam during the war. It is inspired by the true story of his mother, Laurel Robinson, and aunt, Lois Peeler, who toured Vietnam as singers in 1968. Briggs adapted the play for the 2012 film The Sapphires.

Film His movie roles include Australian Rules in 2002, Bran Nue Dae in 2009, Healing in 2014, and Joey in 1997.

Briggs is the founder and artistic director of the Birrarangga Film Festival, launched in 2019 in Melbourne. The biennial festival showcases films by indigenous filmmakers from around the world.

Recognition and awards Both the drama and film of The Sapphires won or were nominated for several awards, including winning the Helpmann Award in 2005 for best Australian New Work. Apart from these, Briggs was also the recipient of personal awards and recognition: which allowed him to attend an intensive course on directing and filmmaking in New York City 2013: NAIDOC Award – Artist of the Year

Athletics career Briggs was a successful 400m hurdler, and was runner-up at the Australian Athletics Championships from 1990 to 1992. He also finished third at the 1990 Championships in the 110m hurdles.

He was an Australian Institute of Sport athletics scholarship holder from 1986 to 1987.

Other activities and roles In 2016, Briggs became patron of his alma mater Scotch College's foundation to perpetually endow the Scotch College Indigenous Scholarship programme.

Filmography

Television

Film / Shorts