AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio alumnus and now ABC 7.30 reporter and producer, Nick Hose, has contributed to the ABC’s book Black Summer: Stories of Loss, Courage and Community.
Told by ABC journalists who were on the ground and broadcasting during last summer’s worst-ever fire season, profits from the book are donated to the Red Cross Disaster and Recovery Fund.
Nick, who completed his Graduate Diploma in Radio in 2012, travelled to Batlow during the fires and met those deeply affected as they fought to save their town.
Nick has always been interested in telling essential stories, ones that surprise and leave a lasting impact.
“Since graduating from AFTRS it’s been an incredible ride. The people who mentored me at AFTRS encouraged me to say yes to opportunities. Even if those opportunities didn’t exactly fit my idea of what my life or career should look like,” Nick says.
Nick started out as a weekday music announcer at Darwin’s hot hits station before producing their weekday current affairs program. He then spent two years interning in the United States with NPR station ‘WNYC’ – New York Public Radio.
“I did everything I could at NPR (yes that included making coffee). Eventually, they asked me to produce and when I proved I could handle the small stuff, they trusted me with the bigger stuff – interviews with A list celebrities and Senators like Joan Rivers and Hillary Clinton,” Nick says.
Back in Australia, Nick moved to Darwin for a second time (“the land of great media opportunity!” he says) and scored a job as a local radio producer.
“I decided I wanted to learn how to make TV and moved over to ABC News. If you’re a ‘yes person’ this is a good place to be. I’m now at 7.30, ABC’s flagship current affairs program. This definitely feels like I’m at the ‘big kids table’. I treat each day as a learning opportunity.
“To the students about to start at AFTRS this year, SAY YES to opportunities and always ask for feedback, your career may not take you where you expect. I cannot emphasise this enough, you never know where it will take you!”
AFTRS Head of Radio, Fyona Smith, said: “Nick has a strong interest in connecting with people. It’s wonderful to see him develop into an accomplished reporter. During his time at AFTRS Nick excelled in telling stories and actively sought feedback from teaching staff and industry mentors. Whilst he wasn’t completely sure of the direction he would go in, Nick was open to possibilities, and this attribute has been key to his career success.”
