By Zoe Samios
Welcome to Quick Q – Monday Media’s 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 questionnaire is with 2GB’s afternoons host, Deborah Knight.
2GB’s Deborah Knight.Credit:Kate Geraghty
How did you get your big break?
My first job was in the newsroom at regional radio station 2WG in Wagga Wagga, and it was the best way to learn, being thrown into the deep end reporting on everything from local council to local crime and community events. I wish there were more opportunities in regional media across the board for up-and-coming journalists.
What are daily news media habits?
I read the papers online and check social media before going to bed and send story suggestions to my radio team for what we could chase the following day. Every morning I do the same and I listen to a lot of radio and watch a lot of TV news. That’s what’s great about holidays - it’s a chance to switch off a bit and read and listen for fun instead of thinking about the next story. (Although my husband will attest that I don’t ever REALLY switch off.)
Which living person do you most admire? Dolly Parton. She is a living legend. She writes hit songs, hit musicals, funds charities like the Imagination Library giving children access to books, and she even pumped a million of her own dollars into creating the Moderna vaccine. I’d love to meet and interview her. If you’re reading this Dolly - you’re welcome any time on Afternoons with Deborah Knight...
Your guilty streaming pleasure?
I’ve been watching Season 2 of The Great on Stan. It’s clever, cheeky, and brilliant and with Aussies at the helm with the creator Tony McNamara and Belinda Bromilow in a starring role. As Molly would say - do yourself a favour...
Which phrase do you overuse?
“Stop doing that”. With 3 kids, there’s a lot of that on the home front.
What did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be either a singer like Olivia Newton John or Nadia Comaneci - the 10 out of 10 Russian gymnast. I love singing and I loved doing gymnastics, and they were both my heroes.
What was your first job?
Delivering the Coffs Harbour Advocate - I’ve loved the news for a while!
Facebook or Instagram?
Instagram.
Recommend a podcast...
I don’t have time for podcasts - but I do like This American Life. Quirky and great stories.
What’s one vice you wish you could give up?
Alcohol - not that I drink a lot. I like to have a glass of wine after a big day, but I know how much fitter and healthier I’d be without any alcohol at all. Alcohol free drinks are a good option but I feel like I’d just drink water.
The song that’s always on high rotation?
I love Is This How You Feel from Aussie band The Preatures. Such a great beat and upbeat vibe.
What are you reading?
Love Stories by Trent Dalton. He’s a brilliant storyteller and a lovely fella.
Favourite movie of the past decade?
The Favourite - another Tony McNamara creation. It was out there and brilliant and a lot of fun. Olivia Coleman is a fantastic actress.
Top of your sporting bucket list?
Playing netball with legends like Liz Ellis and Anne Sargeant. It would be terrific and a lot of fun - they’re great ladies and underappreciated as Aussie sporting legends
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Always take your makeup off when you go to bed - important advice from my Mum.
What are the three things you couldn’t live without?
Coffee, the internet, and my paper diary - I’m old school.