‘Australia Belongs Here’: Neary Ty on the power of culturally diverse storytelling

Nine is Australia’s media company. We want all of Australia to belong here. It is a purpose brought to life by the people in our newsrooms who champion authenticity, resilience, and the diverse voices that make up our nation. 9News Melbourne reporter Neary Ty is a powerful example of this in action.

A career milestone rooted in community

For Neary, her recent Quill Award for Multicultural Affairs and Media was more than just a professional accolade; it was a deeply personal triumph. The winning piece involved interviewing her own father and members of the Cambodian Australian community.

“This would have to be the proudest moment of my journalism career,” Neary shares. 

“Sitting down and interviewing my own father and other incredible Cambodian Australians was a true honour. Uncovering these untold stories and giving a voice to a minority community – especially my beautiful community – felt so special.”

Why representation matters at Nine

Neary believes that for a leading media organisation to truly serve its audience, it must reflect the reality of the streets we live on. By building authentic relationships with communities, we ensure that everyone feels heard.”People will engage in content and watch stories when they see themselves reflected,” she explains. “Australia is such a beautiful multicultural country and we need to reflect more voices and stories. As the leading media organisation in the country, we want communities to turn to us not only in crisis but in happier times too.”

Cultural background as a journalistic tool

Neary’s history as the daughter of refugees played a huge role in shaping her perspective as a journalist today. She recalls a time when her knowledge of Khmer allowed her to reunite a lost Cambodian woman living with dementia with her family. Neary shares: “She was picked up by police, and didn’t know how to speak English. They published a photo of her on their website, I sent the photo to the monks at the Cambodian temple in Springvale and they gave me the daughter’s phone number straight away. She was back home within the hour.”For Neary, her background and life experiences have instilled kindness above everything else. “Growing up with refugee parents gives you a different perspective,” she says. “Nothing comes easy; you have to work hard for what you want. As a journalist, it’s important to show kindness and sympathy to all humans, no matter their postcode, faith, or the colour of their skin.”

From a mobile phone to 9Now

Neary’s dedication to storytelling often goes beyond the standard brief. While her award-winning story was originally intended for print in The Age, she felt a visual record was essential. Fifty years after fleeing Cambodia, Neary spoke with some survivors of the brutal regime, providing them an opportunity to share their stories of survival and building new lives in Australia.

Using her own mobile phone and a tripod, she captured the raw interviews that eventually became a moving mini-documentary for The Brief on 9Now.

“It’s challenging when you are speaking to your own father about his past experiences for the very first time and having to hold back your emotions while making sure the audio is right,” she reflects. The project eventually grew into a collaborative effort, proving that great stories find their way to the screen when backed by passion. After the article was published, Nine’s chief cameraman Anthony Fitzpatrick suggested Neary pitch the story as a longer format piece to The Brief. “The rest is history!”, Neary shares, “I spent months working with a dedicated team of producers, an editor and cameraman to tell the story visually in a mini documentary.”

Advice for the next generation

Neary’s path from intern to award-winning reporter serves as a roadmap for aspiring journalists. Her secret? A mix of work ethic and embracing what makes you unique.

“My parents came here with nothing; they worked so hard to provide a brighter future,” Neary says. “I would tell other aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds: believe in yourself. Your difference is your superpower.”

The future of storytelling at 9News

Looking ahead, Neary is determined to keep pushing the boundaries of mainstream media. For her, journalism is about more than just reporting facts; it is a tool for social cohesion.

“Storytelling is so powerful,” she concludes. “It humanises people and helps reduce stigma and racism. I’m determined to give people a voice and a platform. To me, that’s the most important part of being a journalist.”

Watch Neary’s Episode on 9Now

Read Neary’s recent article on breaking cultural norms