Firstly, can you tell me a bit about your initial experience in the industry? Have you always wanted to pursue a career in Journalism?
When I was at school I knew I wanted to be in the media industry.
I followed in the footsteps of women in TV I admired, including Melissa Doyle, Chris Bath, Deborah Knight, Tara Brown and Samantha Armytage and spent four years at Charles Sturt University.
At the Bathurst campus I completed two degrees. A Bachelor of Communication (Theatre/Media) and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism).
After graduating CSU, my first role was with radio station 2XL in Jindabyne. In winter, in the morning I would compile and read the news and in the afternoon, I would ski, it was the best!
In 2018, I was recruited by 2GB in Sydney, where I spent nearly two years.
I made the switch to 7NEWS in 2019, initially producing for Sunrise (midnight starts were brutal) before working across the 4pm and 6pm bulletins.
In 2022, I moved to Brisbane to join the 7NEWS Queensland team. After a few years focusing on Consumer Affairs for the National Desk, now I report, produce and recently have been given the opportunity to present weather.
What does an average day look like for you? What does your media cycle look like?
It sounds strange, but every day is exactly the same but also completely different.
For reporters, the foundation is solid. Wake up, get a check on what's making news, pitch or be assigned a story, chase the story, line up and complete interviews, liaise with graphics, shoot content for noon news, 4pm and 6pm, come back to the office to write the story, get the story subbed then watch it come to life with an editor!
Some days, I can be chasing three or four stories at once.
Recently, I've been given the opportunity to present weather, so if there is a slower afternoon (rare!) I'll try to spend time with our weather guru Tony Auden.
When I'm producing, I jump on an early editorial call from home with the Chief of Staff. At the office, I'll build the rundown, order graphics, write stories, and keep in touch with reporters. There is never a slow day on the production desk. There is always something to do.
The last hour of the day is the fun part, going into the control room and putting the bulletin to air.
You have worked in the industry for quite a few years now. What have been your proudest moment or career highlight so far?
Winning Best News Presenter (Country) at the ACRA’s in 2018 was really special. It came in my first year of my career and gave me the confidence that I was on the right path.
At Seven, I've been involved in producing some of the biggest stories since 2019, from the Olympics, to wars, elections, royal deaths and everything in between.
I'll never forget being on air with Sunrise when the news came through that Cleo Smith had been found alive.
Do you have any advice for new and emerging journalists? In particular young women wanting to start out in the industry?
Ask questions, always.
Be proactive. Intern as much as you can.
The hardest part for me was getting my foot in the door.
Finally, what makes a good pitch? What do you look out for? What do you want to see less of?
It needs to have a strong hook. I always think "why should our viewers care?"
And from a production view, how can I tease it throughout the bulletin? Is it going to be a story people are going to want to stay around and watch?
Less old news.
The cycle moves quick. I don't want to be reading a pitch for a story we ran three nights ago.
If something is in the papers or morning TV, get in touch that day.