Reporter, Presenter and Producer, Lauren Kempe from Newcastle

Tell us about your role and what it entails.

My role includes a mix of news reporting, presenting and producing.

Can you tell us about how you first came to join Nine? 

I started working at NBN (Nine’s) Newcastle office part time in 2018, before accepting a full time position in 2019.

Tell us about some of the key moments you’re most proud of that have shaped your career at Nine.

There have been so many highlights in the last five years. Reporting across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, co-hosting The Jack Newton Classic for Nine, crossing live to the Today Show & Nine’s Late News, and presenting news and weather for our Northern New South Wales viewers are a few moments that really stand out. 

What are you excited about working on with your team or in your role?

I’m most excited to continue building on my skills as a weather presenter, and have a growing passion for producing news stories with an environmental focus. I also love being around such a hard-working and fun group of people in Newcastle and working in the region where I grew up. We get to be part of so many aspects that make up a newsroom here; from finding and putting stories together to being a voice for the community, guiding reporters in our bureaus and putting the news to air.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in broadcast?

Intern! The best way to land a role in broadcast is to produce your own work, and show it to people. Also, ask for feedback from the people you look up to in the industry, and those with years of experience in it – you can never stop learning and improving what you do. 

What’s an unusual aspect of your job that people outside your area might be surprised to hear or not expect?

Working in a regional area often requires you to take on multiple roles – sometimes on the same day, due to resourcing. It can be challenging to juggle at times, but you also surprise yourself with what you can achieve on a daily basis. It’s also a very fulfilling experience to see the impact your stories can have on the community, especially when it prompts positive change or provides people with information they otherwise wouldn’t have had.

Outside of the office, what do you get up to? 

I’m a bit of a social butterfly, so I spend most of my time with family and friends. Otherwise I’ll likely be at pilates, baking, finding my next binge-able Netflix series or heading out on a nature walk.