It’s been a year since you first stepped into the local 5pm bulletin in Brisbane. How does it feel hitting this milestone?

I feel very proud that the 10 News Queensland bulletin has achieved what it has in such a short period of time. When Martin White decided to bring the news bulletin back to the Brisbane studio it was a big commitment for 10 and it never ceases to amaze me the effort everyone has put into making it a success. Local news really does matter, and the entire team here goes over and above on a daily basis. To have reached a year on air and to see the bulletin embraced by not only the 10 team but the viewers as well, is a very proud achievement indeed. 

What have been some of the standout stories or moments for you over the past year on the desk?

It’s been an incredibly busy year for news in Queensland. The biggest story was undoubtedly cyclone Alfred, as it bore down on Brisbane and the south east. The rolling coverage our team produced – in some very trying circumstances – to keep our viewers informed was definitely one of the standouts for our newsroom over the past 12 months. With our Executive Editor, Josh Adsett directing traffic, everyone from the camera crews, journalists, weather presenters, producers, editors, studio crew, news exchange, make-up artists, publicists, marketing and beyond rose to the challenge during that week and I constantly marvelled at how well everyone did as I watched it unfold. Being involved in the coverage of both the state and federal elections and chatting exclusively to the great Dawn Fraser about the incredible challenges she faced after her fall, have also been standout moments for me on a personal level.

Live news always brings the unexpected—what’s been the biggest challenge so far?

Rolling coverage during Alfred was certainly the biggest challenge. There is no studio control room in Brisbane, so we rely on Sydney and Melbourne control rooms and a Sydney line-up producer to put our news to air. Everyone does a sterling job, but as you can imagine during rolling coverage, the challenge of distance adds an extra layer of complexity. Thankfully, everyone rose to the challenge – what a team – and we managed to make some memorable and informative TV. 

The 5pm bulletin has been performing strongly in the ratings. How proud are you of the way the team’s hard work has been resonating with viewers?

I was informed recently that 10 News Queensland experienced 21% growth in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period last year. Some months we’ve been up more than 30%.  In 2025, double digit growth in TV is not always easy to achieve. The entire team has put so much effort into the success of this bulletin. It’s a strong, solid news bulletin that doesn’t rely on gimmicks and overnight promo stories – that often don’t deliver – just to attract viewers. I am always in awe at what everyone does. That viewers seem to like what we do is an added bonus and always very much appreciated. 

You’ve been a trusted face in Australian news for many years. How have audiences responded to you in this new timeslot?

Ha, I guess that means I’m getting old, but it’s nice to know that viewers are still happy to tune in. I must say I’ve been incredibly overwhelmed by the level of support I have received from our viewers, some of whom have been tuning in for nearly 40 years. To this day, I still receive cards, letters and messages from complete strangers saying they’ve made the switch to 10 and the earlier 5pm time slot. We really do have some incredible viewers and I will always be eternally grateful for this type of support. 

As you look to year two and beyond, what excites you most about the bulletin and where it’s heading?

With year one out of the way, I’m hoping we can continue to build on what we’ve achieved so far, concentrating on refining our local content and presentation. News is never static and with Brisbane becoming more and more a focal point for both national and international events, including the upcoming 2032 Olympics, there is so much scope to sharpen and expand on what we do. I see so much potential to deliver more for our viewers, and we certainly have a tremendous team here in Queensland who can help make that a reality. I am very excited about what lies ahead for 10 News Queensland in the next 12 months and beyond.