Craig Hamilton

Craig Hamilton joined ABC radio as 'the sideline eye' on weekend Rugby League broadcasts in 1995.
Since then he has worked with ABC team-members David Morrow and Warren Ryan calling Grand Finals, State of Origin Games and Test Matches involving Australia.

Born and raised up in the Hunter Valley town of Singleton, he spent 16 years working as an underground coalminer in the Newcastle area before embarking on a radio career.

As a talented sportsman, Craig represented both the Newcastle and NSW Country cricket teams, with a career highlight being selected to play against the touring Sri Lankan side in 1990.

In the year 2000, on the eve of the Sydney Olympic Games where he had been assigned to work as a broadcaster, Craig experienced a psychotic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

He spent two weeks in hospital and, since his recovery, has worked tirelessly as an advocate for mental health issues, speaking at conferences and lobbying for extra funding to support people and their families who have experienced depressive illness.

In 2004 Random House released his highly acclaimed memoir "Broken Open" which gives a very personal account of living with Bipolar Disorder.

To read extracts from Broken Open, click here..

Craig is now a much sought after motivational speaker who tells what it's like to battle a serious illness. In sharing his story and experiences he offers hope to others.