Wendy Harmer reveals her 330am news habits

Welcome to Quick Q - Monday’s Media weekly Q&A series dedicated to finding out more about the personalities that matter most in the Australian media landscape.

Every week The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age asks key figures across corporate media, business, sport, federal politics, radio, television and culture to answer a series of questions about their life, careers, hobbies and news habits.

This week’s conversation is with Wendy Harmer, presenter of ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast with Robbie Buck. The duo announced last week they would wrap up their stint in the slot at the end of this year.

Wendy Harmer hosts ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast with Robbie Buck.

Wendy Harmer hosts ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast with Robbie Buck. Credit:ABC

How did you get your big break?

So, in 1984 I was in a live comedy revue at the legendary “Last Laugh” Collingwood, Melbourne - “Sunburn The Day After”. John Clarke (had never met him) turned up one night and asked: “Who wrote this show?” I’d written most of the sketches, put my hand up. Just a few whirlwind weeks later I was cast in “The Gillies Report” and on national TV. I’m still not quite sure how that happened.

What are your daily news media habits?

From 3.30 am: CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC, ABC TV, SKY UK (The Drum, 7.30 replays)

4.30 am: ABC radio catch-ups (AM. PM. TWT), BBC World Service

5.15 am: The Australian, SMH, Guardian, News.com.au, Daily Telegraph, The Conversation, New Daily

Afternoon: Crikey.com.au

Evening: ZZzzzzzzzz

Which living person do you most admire?

Christine Milne â€" from farmer’s daughter to teacher to activist jailed during Franklin River protests, then taking on the Wesley Dale pulp mill. Tasmanian state politics, Senator, leader of the Australian Greens. Still active and has not wavered in her commitment to everything I value. An exceptional Australian.

Your guilty streaming pleasure?

OK, you got me. Any old crap about weddings. Especially the bit when the groom cries when he sees in her in THE DRESS! (Even though we all thought it was hideous.)

Which phrase do you overuse?

According to my daughter: “Well, the funny thing is…“

What did you want to do when you grew up?

Florist or hairdresser

What was your first job?

Cadet journalist, Geelong Advertiser.

Facebook or Instagram?

Twitter

Recommend a podcast...

Radio National’s “Future Tense” No time for nostalgia… what’s next?

What’s one vice you wish you could give up?

Twitter

The song that’s always on high rotation?

River. Joni Mitchell

What are you reading?

Special offer take-away food flyers, (still in lockdown)

Favourite movie of the past decade?

Hunt for the Wilderpeople. “Bloody Warriors!”

Top of your sporting bucket list?

NZ Warriors win NRL Grand Final

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Life is short...make every mistake possible (It is .I am.)

What are the three things you couldn’t live without?

Brendan, Marley and Maeve, that’s a given.

Apart from them? A decent NZ Pinot Noir.

Robert Moran is a culture reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald and The AgeConnect via email.

0 Response to "Wendy Harmer reveals her 330am news habits"

Post a Comment