1. First thing in the morning when you wake up, do you look at your phone? If so, what do you search?
I do! I check emails, news websites, then Facebook.
2. Are you a coffee or tea drinker and what kind?
Coffee…soy piccolo, one sugar.
My favourite caffeine hit – an espresso martini.
3. You always imagined growing up you’d be?
A pilot. My Dad flew for Qantas, I joined Airforce Cadets when I was 14 years old and quickly realised perhaps I was more drawn to men in uniform and First Class than physics and navigation.
At the same time, I wrote “news stories” about what was going on in my family/neighborhood from a young age and regularly recorded myself reading the “evening news” on cassettes which I forced everyone who visited to listen to.
4. Biggest misconception in the role of media?
“So who does all the research and writes your stories and tells you what to say when you’re out there reporting live?” Ummm…ME! I DO! What am I, Reporter Barbie??
5. When women are negative it makes you…
Angry, then disappointed. Especially when it’s women in management positions, or roles that SHOULD see them mentoring and supporting other younger women coming up the food chain. To me there’s nothing more infuriating or sadder than a woman who has herself conquered the boys club and is in a position to influence or guide others, but instead uses that power to bring others down.
6. When women support one another you…
Feel proud of all the talented, driven, passionate women in our industry and rejoice that the future is in good hands.
7. One thing you keep close to your chest (until now is)…
My epilepsy. I was diagnosed 10 years ago. I lost my license for a year after one seizure, so we moved close to Channel Nine so I didn’t have to commute. For a long time I never told anyone at work because I was worried they’d stop sending me up in the chopper, or to cover stories that involved stressful/dangerous situations.
I thought of it as a weakness, when in fact it’s a totally treatable condition that you learn to live with… I take medication twice a day and I haven’t had a full blown seizure in 4 years. If I push it, I’ll get symptoms.. I know my limits now.
8. To all those women who are negative on social media you’d say…
Get a LIFE!! Oh, and some “real” friends. Social media is not the real world, therefore I do not consider any negative remarks or insults to be “real” either. It’s a great tool for my industry, a lot of news breaks on twitter and it’s an integral part of my day, but I don’t take the personal comments seriously. I care what my friends and family and colleagues think of my work, not some random cowardly troll sitting at home who feels the need to tell the world (ie. the twittersphere) that I have “chicken lips” and a voice like a “chipmunk”. (Chipmunks are cute, respectable creatures, right?? No?!)
9. If you could express one piece of QueenHood advice to working women you would say…
You get out what you put in…every single day, and some days you can’t put absolutely 150% of everything in, you just can’t. Do your best. Then go home and have a big glass of wine and reflect on how awesome you are. Even if you really were NOT awesome today, you will be tomorrow…surely…right?
10. The never ending quest for balance between work life and family life you take on by…
Acknowledging that it is actually impossible to be Superwoman. Accepting I will feel guilty no matter how much or little of the day I spend working or parenting or being a domestic goddess. And then making the most of my time in those different roles. It took me a while to figure out that committing to longer working hours/extras shifts can be just as exhausting for everyone as committing to more swimming/soccer lessons. I really try to embrace any “down time” we have as a family and devote myself to play time, to make up for the days I just have to spend the morning on my phone/watching news while my toddler plays on my Ipad.
11. The worth you feel working is…
Hugely significant. My job is a big part of me, news is ingrained in me and I can’t imagine anything as exciting or fulfilling. I never realised how competent I was until I went back to work after maternity leave and thought, “Oh I get this, THIS I can do.” I’ve done hours of rolling coverage for terror attacks/natural disasters that’ve been a walk in the park compared to what waited at home that evening (no one told me teething lasts for 2 years, why did no one tell me this?!) I guess work is the part of me that always existed and will always exist, separate to my life as a parent.
12. When you’re in work mode you are best described as…
Focused, calm. The more stressful or unpredictable the situation, the more I shut down externally. This can be perceived as “neutral face” or “resting b*tch face”…depending where you’re sitting…
13. The legacy you hope to leave is…
Career wise, I like to think I’m part of a generation of women in media who could kind of “have it all”.. newsrooms full of pregnant journalists and news readers who continue to be supported and promoted in a way unimaginable just a couple of decades ago. I will continue to nurture and support other women in what can be an incredibly stressful, cut-throat environment, and am grateful to the women who’ve comforted and supported me along the way.
Bigger picture…my legacy will surely be my children, their values and gorgeous little spirits, and the traditions, daggy games, bad dance moves and amazing recipes I pass onto them.
