Margie Renwood. Brisbane’s Traffic Operations Coordinator by day, ukulele performer, deep-sea diver and devoted ocean cleaner by night.
We’ve profiled a lot of staff here at The Water Cooler over the years but Margie’s life outside Paramount has blown us away! We sat down with her over coconut water and teriyaki flavoured seaweed snacks to hear all about it!
What is your role and what does it entail?
I’m the Traffic Operations Coorinator in Brisbane. I have been in the industry for the best part of 40 years, working across all four major networks as well as Fox Sports in Sydney and a production company called Pro-Cam.
Previous roles have included Film Assistant, Telecine Operator, Videotape Operator, Presentation Coordinator, Presentation Scheduler, Master Control Operator and Media Exchange Operator. Due to the evolution of technologies, many of these roles no longer exist.
Whilst at Pro-Cam I often assisted with documentaries being made by the BBC (think Blue Planet) and was once asked to be the Safety Diver on a Feature that was being made for the History Channel called “The Tragedy of the Montevideo Maru”. It told the story of Australia’s worst maritime disaster, and we shot the re-enactment scenes down at Wellington Point. I had to take care of the actors and the props whilst they were in the water as well as being the equipment coordinator for all the camera equipment.
Where would we find you on the weekends?
In, on or under the water. I have been scuba diving for over 30 years and am always marvelling at the complex, enchanting world beneath the surface. Highlights have included diving with Jean-Michelle Cousteau and with Blue Sharks off the coast of California. I participate in regular ocean clean-ups with my devoted dive buddies and together we remove countless quantities of trash and debris as well as endless kms of fishing line which, if left there, would create deadly entanglement hazards for fragile marine life and birds.
Additionally, I’m forever honing underwater photography skills (underwater photography can be quite challenging, as you are dealing with surge and ocean currents as well as having to second guess which direction marine life is going to move in).
I also volunteer with the Disabled Surfers. It is heartwarming to witness people of all ages and with all different afflictions being able to have fun on the waves in a safe and controlled environment.
Do you have a unique hobby or hidden talent?
I have played the guitar and ukulele since the age of nine and now have quite a collection of acoustic and electric guitars and ukes. I’ve performed in various bands over the years and at Music Festivals in Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns.
If you could be part of one show on any Paramount network (Network 10, 10 Play, Paramount+, MTV, Nickelodeon), what would it be and why?
I’m enjoying the Frasier remake on Paramount+. I am drawn to his quirky eccentricities and his preference for fine wine and the arts.
