Welcome back to 10 News First! What excites you to be back?

This is such an incredible opportunity. 10 News First Queensland will now be telecast direct from the network’s Brisbane studio on Mt Coot-tha. The chance to be a part of a team committed to bringing even more local news to our viewers around the state is very exciting. This is a new chapter for 10 News First Queensland, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves. 

What do you remember most about your time at 10 back in the 90s?

Bad hair dos and big shoulder pads… no mobile phones or social media. What’s not to like about the 90’s! Seriously though, the 10 Newsroom back then was one of the best places I’ve ever worked. I was young, but there were so many incredibly talented and experienced journalists to look up to and learn from, it was the perfect place to kickstart my time working in metropolitan newsrooms. The 10 newsroom was very collegiate. It was a strong team that looked out for each other. I made many lifelong friends during my time at 10. I will always look back on those days with great fondness. 

How important is it to have a local news service?

In a state like Queensland, that continues to grow and evolve, a strong local news service plays a critical role in keeping the community informed about the issues that affect their daily lives. Being local enables 10 News First to devote even more resources and time to the big stories that impact the state, like natural disasters, weather, sport or state politics. With even more local news, 10 News First Queensland will be a critical source of information for our viewers, covering the stories that matter to them. This will become even more significant as Brisbane changes shape as we head towards the Olympics in 2032.  

What do you think makes 10 News First stand out against its competitors?

10 News First is a solid hour of news.  Strong stories, straight forward coverage, sound journalism, brought to you by a dedicated team. 10 News First relies on the news itself to be the focal point of each bulletin, with a good cross section of stories from both at home and overseas. Just the way a news bulletin should be. 

What does a normal workday look like for you?

The one thing about being a journalist and news presenter is that one day never seems to resemble the next. You never really know how each day is going to pan out. It is so dependent on the news of the day and how this shapes the day. But generally, I spend a good hour in hair and make-up, record updates,  then present the bulletin. Throw in the odd promo, radio appearance, newspaper interview, MC gig, charity Board meeting, a meet and greet with viewers, a hospital visit.. and any combination of those, could be part of a typical workday for me. 

What has been one of your proudest moments in your expansive career?

This is always such a tough one to answer. I’ve interviewed some incredible people .. from Buzz Aldrin to Jimmy Choo. From Prime Ministers to Hollywood superstars. But I think the proudest moments for me career wise have always come during times of disaster, when viewers are so desperate for information to keep them informed about the unfolding situation. There have been times when I have been on air for 10 hours straight hosting coverage of this nature and to know that we played some part in disseminating information to people so they could protect themselves or their property has always made me feel that this is such a worthwhile profession to be a part of. The media does play a vital role in getting help to where it is needed most.