Up close and personal at SBS

Sophie and Kate from Year 11 recently visited the offices of SBS TV at Artarmon where they were guests of Janice Petersen, SBS World News Presenter and Journalist. They write:

Our five-hour visit saw us seated in the newsroom studio during the live 6:30pm national news bulletin.

Our visit gave us up-close exposure to the world of news media – something we have never experienced before. This wonderful opportunity was so valuable to us as we are considering our options for when we graduate from Santa and are both keenly interested in the world of journalism.

We met broadcast technicians, news writers, journalists, meteorologists, graphic designers, camera and lighting operators, hair stylists, makeup artists and Janice’s personal stylist – we even got to see her personal wardrobe!

It is a huge team effort to produce a national tv news bulletin and takes time and many different skills to collate everything so it can all come together seamlessly on our tv screens at home. Even though so many people are relying on Janice, she enjoys taking on the responsibility and role. We were delighted to meet many ex Santa students who work at SBS.

From Janice’s unassuming beginnings – attending school at Woy Woy High and calling herself a “wallflower” during high school – to now being the SBS World News Presenter she told us “I have to pinch myself all of the time.” She has come so far in her career and as a busy working mum she is an inspiration to all.

Janice’s main piece of advice to us is to involve ourselves in the world of journalism and media before university starts. “Get in there and challenge yourself. Give yourself options. That way, you won’t be bugged by ‘what if?’ questions…aim high and keep going.”

This fabulous opportunity arose from Burwood Council’s International Women’s Day event which Janice hosted.