Local Bloke – Tony Connett

By Marcus Braid on September 2, 2015 in

Name | Tony Connett (a.k.a. Tony Maloney)
Suburb | Coogee

How long have you lived here?
I’ve been here ten years on December 26, 2015.

What’s your favourite beach?
Coogee, of course, with Clovelly being a close second. However, it is hard to choose as each beach along the coastal strip has it’s own beauty.

What’s your favourite eatery?
I love popping down to see Dave for a coffee at The Courtyard, and having a delicious breakfast at my local, X74. Also, you haven’t lived until you have tried the Nutella milkshake at Cafe de France.

Where do you like to have a drink?
I mostly like to invite a few friends over to my place for a drink and chat in the backyard, but if I were to venture out I usually pop up to the Coogee Pavillion rooftop for a few cocktails. I am a sucker for a rooftop!

Do you have a favourite sporting team?
Being from England I love the EPL (best league in the world), with the Gunners (Arsenal) being my sporting team. They are frustrating to watch and the early morning games are a killer. I love horse racing too, so having Randwick down the road is my idea of heaven.

What music are you into at the moment?
My brother is a singer/songwriter in England, so I have been listening to his latest EP titled ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ by Black Noire (it is available on iTunes, wink wink). I was also very happy that I got to see Bobby Womack at the Opera House. ‘Across 100th Street’ should be on everyone’s playlist.

Who is your favourite person?
My partner Adrian, as words cannot describe how amazing he is (most people would say that he is a saint for putting up with me). Also, my Mum back home in England, who is one of the strongest women I know.

What do you get up to on the weekends?
There is always something happening on the weekends and it almost always involves a nice outlook, cocktails and great mates.

What do you do for work?
I am the manager at Maloney’s Grocer in Coogee. I grew up with Richard Maloney in West London. It has been a great thrill for me to help my childhood mate grow his successful business. Richard and Joanna are a big part of my life as I met Adrian on the night of their wedding. We celebrate our anniversary every year together. It will be ten years in January 2016.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
The amazing local people that I get to meet and see everyday. Maloney’s is one big happy family and I would like to thank our loyal customers/amazing locals that I now call friends for being there and supporting us on this journey.

Do you have a favourite quote?
“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast?
Never stop exploring because the world is a beautiful and amazing place.