What’s Your Accent?
Such a simple question… that’s never quite had a simple answer for me.
I was born in Australia. I’ve lived in the UK for over 20 years. And in that time — especially as a working actor — I made a conscious decision to “neutralise” my Australian accent. Not because I didn’t love it , but because sounding more “neutral” opened up more casting opportunities. And it worked. I even ended up playing that most quintessential of British gents, Richard Hannay, in The 39 Steps on the West End. (I miss my pencil moustache more than I care to admit.)
These days, my everyday accent leans more English than Aussie, and in my capacity as voice coach, I even help others to sound more British. As Daddy Pig would say ‘I’m a bit of an expert at that!’
So, professionally, I can switch between both accents to a native standard, which is a gift in the voice world.
But in my everyday, when I’m relaxed — in a casual chat, a call with my mum, or after a few tinnies — a few rogue Aussie sounds slip into my speech.
In the past, I’ve worked to hide my origins as I have found that it makes it hard for people to pinpoint you in casting. But in n the age of Authenticity, I’m embracing the uniqueness of what makes me.
The problem is, what do I actually call my accent?
“British-Australian” sounds like a visa category.
“Neutral” sounds like I’m narrating a meditation app.
“RP with Vegemite undertones”? Tempting… but probably not helpful on a casting brief.
So I started wondering: if there’s a Transatlantic accent to describe that polished hybrid between American and British, why isn’t there a term for the halfway house between Australian and British?
Naturally, I did what any good voice nerd would do: I made a list.
🛫 Transpacific Accent
Like “Transatlantic,” but flying west. Broad. Formal. Passport-friendly.
📻 BBCooee
A cheeky hybrid of “BBC English” and the classic Aussie bush call. Dignified and dusty.
🌿 Eucalypt RP
Polished but outdoorsy. RP with a sun-drenched twist and a whiff of gum leaves.
🐨 Koalafied English
A pun so bad it circles back to being good. I apologise… and you’re welcome.
🌊 Pacific RP
Straightforward and smooth. RP with SPF 50 and thongs (the flip-flop kind).
🌬️ Britannia Breeze
Like an accent that’s been on a long, luxurious holiday. Light, charming, probably owns linen trousers.
🐎 Union Jackaroo
Silly? Yes. But if this were a cartoon series, I’d binge it.
What fascinates me is how accent isn’t just about sound — it’s about identity. It’s the voice we lead with, the signal we send. It’s cultural shorthand and personal story, all rolled into one. And for those of us with one foot in each hemisphere, it can be a bit of a moving target.
So here’s my question to you:
What would you call an accent that lives somewhere between Dover and the Great Dividing Range?
And more broadly:
How do you define your voice when it doesn’t fit into a neat little box?
I’d love to hear your thoughts — serious, silly, or somewhere delightfully in between
