Executive Editor Queensland, Joshua Adsett gave us an insight into the incredible hard work and dedication of our News team over this time. These staff worked around the clock and away from their families during a very dangerous and unpredictable time.

And through it all, Denise and the dedicated staff at Brisbane’s canteen pre-made hundreds of meals to make sure everyone was well fed and cared for.

Joshua Adsett said:

Our camera crews are the heart and soul of everything we do. Their efforts in trying situations, long hours and power outages, staying away from families overnight and still turning up every day to give their all. A huge thank you goes to Craig Myers, Michael Geddes, Marty Craik, Eddie Norbido, Peter Tumini, Bryton Russel, Tim Parry and Geoff Bowden.

Georgina Hill’s reporting from Redcliffe was a highlight with her interview with Lady Margaret and her wish to experience a cyclone while having a coffee and sitting and watching the weather roll in on her 90th birthday.

Jade Richards rode out the storm at Caloundra and somehow got sunburnt during the approach of the cyclone! She provided great content during the long wait for Alfred by the water on the Sunshine Coast.

Tiarni Reid sadly lost her houseboat in the wild weather. Yet she continued to cover the Gold Coast as it was battered by the wild weather, despite getting hauled away to cover a wild and deadly police shootout as the storm eye approached the coastline.

Pippa Sheehan has been from Brisbane to Ipswich with invaluable news gathering and live coverage in the heaviest of the rain, with water filled boots. Pippa worked through her days off, missing her son’s birthday party, to give us extra coverage, content and crucial information.

Matt Johnston managed to avoid being blown away by 100km/hr winds at Point Danger during the live rolling coverage and then hit after hit from the wild seas and foam at Snapper Rocks.

Liz Cantor dominated the coverage of locals on the Gold Coast with her local knowledge and contacts. She broke the story of Mick Fanning’s late brother’s board being spotted by the three-time world champion in the surf at Kirra. She went viral online with her dramatic coverage of the Burleigh mudslide and the enthusiastic and muddy teens who covered her in muck. And all this while losing power in her own home for days and days.

Brendan Smith captured brilliant coverage of the storm surges striking Currumbin as the waves peaked at over 14 metres off the Gold Coast. And reliable and strong coverage of Brisbane CBD as the storm menaced the city.

Matt Karstunen was an invaluable asset in co-ordinating the network coverage and writing the powerful lead stories over and over, ensuring all shows had the information and details of reporters and availability.

Dick Butler worked tirelessly, shuffling the pieces on his chessboard across the entire region. He hasn’t missed a beat or a day either. Dick is so dedicated to task he refused to abandon his post on the mountain in case he got stuck at home. Cheerful, insightful and the rock holding the station together.

Georgia Bakalich is our socials guru who kept the internet world alive with ongoing posts which took off online. She also found multiple lead stories by unearthing and identifying the news value in obscure posts buried on community pages.

Brendan Savage hasn’t stopped since day one. He wrangled the rolling coverage from the Queensland end as well as assisting his colleagues on the desk to get the 5pm flagship bulletin to air every night. His story production skills are off the chart.

Veronica Eggleton – our sport superstar turned story producer and master editor. Veronica gave up her sports break to assist with the coverage to allow more content for the River City and surrounds.

Josh McLean secured a solid sports story with a flood angle to air on a day when nothing sporty would have got a look in, as well as cutting five Look Lives on the same day. Josh was thrown in the deep end with flood story production during rolling coverage and managed to finish the event in first place.

Ted Roker was locked in the head edit suite and fed scripts through the door. His incredible efforts got content to air we otherwise would never have seen.

Sharyn Ghidella was the calm voice in a sea of chaos, pulling the coverage together with her unrivalled skill and knowledge.

And last but not least, Lyndon Hill, Sharyn’s right-hand man and absolute wizard of the studio floor. Lyndon was supportive, knowledgeable and happy to put in the extra hours to keep the show on the road.