Kathy Bowlen: A rewarding life
One of Victoria’s most experienced and high-profile journalists, Swinburne graduate Kathy Bowlen deftly balances the demands of her life, career and a new role on Swinburne’s Council, writes Kate Babic.
A Swinburne media communications graduate with more than 15 years’ experience in the demanding field of journalism, Kathy Bowlen admits to having been blessed with a rewarding career.
“There is no doubt that journalism is known for its daily grind, and it’s a juggling act, but I wouldn’t trade my job for the world.”
Best known for her current role as ABC-TV Victoria’s weekend newsreader, Kathy also presents the weekly Stateline program. “Stateline is very much a hands-on role where I’m lining up and shooting interviews, as well as reporting stories. We’re a small team, with a weekly deadline, and a focus on the big local issues.
“My weekend role requires a different set of skills, with morning and afternoon conference calls to set the news agenda of the day. I need to be versed in a myriad of subject areas and to review and present the story introductions. Between both jobs I get a good balance.”
Kathy was well prepared for such a dynamic role, having gained a taste of the hourly demands of radio journalism in her first media job as a 3AW cadet radio reporter. “It was flat out. You’d find yourself filing a breaking political story for the 11am bulletin and then covering a football announcement for the midday bulletin, so there was always variety.
“You had to be very quick and have a strong grasp of different issues. It was the best experience – I had no preconceived expectations so I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
A two-year stint in the Canberra press gallery as a radio journalist followed, and it was there that Kathy developed a passion for political reporting.
“The daily exposure to federal politicians was a terrific experience as it took away much of the mythology and mystery surrounding the system. John Howard and Andrew Peacock were in the middle of a bunfight for the Liberal Party leadership, and it was great to be so close to the big stories.”
Canberra seems a world away from Bangladesh and Vietnam, but Kathy visited both as a documentary producer for ABC’s Asia Focus. The Vietnam report coincided with the 20th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, while the feature on Bangladesh examined the conundrum of a country which is flooded annually, but has no clean drinking water. “I’d travelled in Asia before, so the poverty wasn’t a shock to me, but it was still a confronting experience that was far removed from an Australian newsroom.”
Accompanied only by a camera crew, Kathy organised the entire production schedule, from finding interview subjects to writing the script and supervising the edit.
Despite having such a busy job and being the mother of two small children, Kathy believes it’s important to use her limited ‘downtime’ to give back to the community, a sentiment which inspired her to join the Swinburne University Council last year. “My council role adds another dimension to my work that is really invaluable. I’ve always held Swinburne in high regard – it’s a fine institution,” Kathy says.
Website: www.abc.net.au/stateline/vic/
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