Yvette Gray, Class of 1997
What did you do after leaving Kilvington?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications (Swinburne University)
I currently work at the ABC at a cross-platform reporter in the Melbourne newsroom (TV, radio and online). I spent 10 years at 3AW (most of those as the police reporter), Channel 7, Win TV, Leader Newspapers
I have won two Quill Awards and have been a multiple finalist at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.
Do you have any career highlights?
Too hard to narrow it down
I remember the excitement of handing in my last uni assignment and then getting a call the same day from Leader Newspapers, offering me a job as a reporter. I wanted to start my career in print to learn the ropes of journalism – how to write, make contacts and find stories. From there I moved to Albury to learn broadcast journalism, reporting for Win TV. About 18 months later I returned to Melbourne to work in metropolitan news which is where I remain.
As police reporter at 3AW, I covered many major breaking stories and even travelled overseas to report on them for the national radio network. These include the devastating Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and the NZ Pike River Coal Mine explosion in 2010. I also covered the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria and some of Melbourne’s gangland wars. Being given these opportunities was an invaluable experience and even though they weren’t pleasant events, I felt it helped me grow both personally and professionally. It was also comforting to see how communities rally together to get through tough times.
I have worked very hard in my career and feel privileged media organisations and the public have trusted me in delivering news to them.
Do you have any future plans?
I have a baby daughter so being the best mother I can be is my top priority. I am extremely grateful to be working part-time at the ABC so that I can continue my career in journalism. I am really enjoying the balance of family life and work.
What are your memories of Kilvington?
I really enjoyed my time at Kilvington and I knew from Year 7 that I wanted to be a journalist. I remember signing up for the debating team to help me with public speaking. I use to visit the library everyday to read the newspaper and always looked forward to discussions in class relating to news and current affairs.
My other love at school was sport. I used to play everything – tennis, netball, basketball, softball, volleyball. I also rowed outside school and won the Head of the School girls representing Kilvington. My passion for sport continued after I left and I went on have a successful career in rowing and surfboats.
Going to a school where I had an incredible level of support from teachers, parents and peers really helped set the foundation for life after school. I am of the firm belief the values we were taught at Kilvington helped pave the way for future success. I made life long friends at Kilvington and hope to send my daughter there in the future.