An accomplished and awarded journalist with more than 30 years of experience, Melissa is one of the best-known and trusted voices and faces in Australian media.
A graduate of Charles Sturt University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Melissa began her career in Canberra as a television news reporter and weather presenter at WIN TV before moving to Prime TV as a reporter and co-host of the evening news. In 1995, Melissa joined the Seven Network in the Canberra bureau at Parliament House before moving to the Sydney newsroom.
Melissa joined Sunrise in 1997 and co-hosted Australia’s favourite breakfast program until August 2013, taking it from humble beginnings to Number One.
During that time Melissa covered such significant events as the Beaconsfield mine disaster, the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Olympic Games in Sydney, Athens, Beijing and London, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Queensland floods, Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires, multiple federal and state elections, the Inauguration of Barack Obama and the election of Pope Francis, and interviewed stars such as Tom Cruise, Justin Bieber, Robin Williams, Jane Fonda and Katy Perry.
Melissa joined the Seven Network’s news team in 2013 and anchored the network’s live rolling coverage of historical moments such as the birth of Prince George, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the release of Schapelle Corby from prison in Bali, the centenary of ANZAC commemorations in Gallipoli and the Lindt Café Siege in Sydney.
Melissa and the Seven News team were recognised with a Walkley Award, a Logie and three international Edward R. Murrow Awards for their coverage of the siege.
Melissa went on to be the host and senior correspondent of the Seven Network’s flagship news and public affairs program, Sunday Night, covering a wide range of stories, from internationally exclusive interviews with James Hewitt, Princess Diana’s former lover, Mack Horton, Brenda Lin and Rebel Wilson, to stories on PTSD within the Police Force and the 40th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre.
Melissa left the network in 2020 after 25 years of wonderful years having hosted the 6 PM News, Sunrise, 11 am, Ansett News, Today Tonight, The Zoo, Where Are They Now, 4 pm News, 7 pm News, Sunday Night and The Latest.
Melissa is the weekend breakfast host for the radio station Smooth FM. In 2014, she won the Australian Commercial Radio Award (ACRA) for Best Newcomer (Metro) and in 2018 Best Music Presenter (metro).
In 2021 Melissa secured the world exclusive interview with Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert.
Melissa was also the proud holder of the Big Red Book. As host of 'This Is Your Life' she took a deep dive into the lives, loves and legacies of some of our favourite Aussies.
Melissa has written four books, “The Working Mothers Survival Guide” in 2007, her best-selling memoir “Alphabet Soup” in 2013, "15 Seconds of Brave" in 2022 and "How to Age Against The Machine" in 2023.
In the 2016 Australia Day Honours List Melissa was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her "significant service to the community through representational roles with a range of charitable groups, and to the broadcast media."
She is the National Patron of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and an Ambassador for World Vision, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Adopt Change.
A multiple Silver Logie nominee as Most Popular Television Presenter, Melissa was voted one of the "most real celebrity mums" and regularly polls in the Top 50 of Reader's Digests annual list of Most Trusted Australians.
Melissa is the Number One Ticket holder for the GWS Giants (AFL) and serves on the club board.
Above all, Melissa is a wife and proud mother of Nick and Talia.
