Melinda Howells

Current job
State political reporter, ABC News Queensland.

Degree
Graduated in 2006 with a double degree in Journalism and Business (PR).

First job
Radio news reporter, ABC News Mackay.

The story so far
I did as much work experience as I could while finishing my double degree, and picked up casual work at 612 ABC Brisbane and the National Indigenous News Service.

A week with ABC Southern Queensland in Toowoomba (while staying in my uncle’s spare room) led to a full-time job with ABC Tropical North in Mackay. I covered everything from the mining boom, to irukandji stings, and the sugar cane smut disease.

After almost a year, I moved to the ABC in Bundaberg. And just a few months later, a job in the Brisbane newsroom came up.

I have done a mix of general news and production shifts since then, but Queensland politics has been my focus. Filing for radio, TV and online, I have covered four Premiers and three state election campaigns. And there’s rarely been a dull moment.