You may have seen her before on TV… previously reporting on 9 News and more recently on 7 News. Bree sat down with Samantha Heathwood to talk about all things media and motherhood.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was nine years old, a helicopter landed on our school oval, and that’s when my obsession to become a news reporter started. I wanted to ride in helicopters reporting news around the country. I was so obsessed that I would get my best friend to write up fake news for me to then report in my bedroom, I also loved watching the news every night even at a young age. I was so fascinated.
However, when I was in High School, I was too afraid to tell anyone my passion as I wasn’t amazing at English or Drama, though I was good at Music and so I was told that this would be my career path. Looking back, I think that’s what needs to be changed; just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean it’s the only thing you are allowed to do for a future career. I really wished someone told me, “You don’t have to stick to music just because you’re good at it, have it as a hobby instead”. I went through my high school years strong on being an opera singer because of this. It wasn’t until I was in Year 12 when I realised that I wanted to do the one thing I had always dreamed of doing, reporting!
For children that want to work in media, what is your advice?
If you are trying to get into TV it’s all about experience, and I highly suggest finding this experience in a regional area. I wish I had known this as trying to gain this experience in bigger cities such as Brisbane, is very difficult as they are always well resourced, resulting in less opportunities.
What is your greatest achievement to date?
Even though I’m on TV and living my dream job, my greatest achievement is my two sons. They are beautiful and mean so much to me. I’m a single mum which makes my two boys even more important and closer to me.
I sacrificed so much for my first son, so much so, that I started work at 2am just so I didn’t have to hear him cry each time I left. I thought to myself, if I leave while he’s asleep and finish at 10am I can still be there for him throughout the day. Although when my second child came along, that’s when I wanted to focus more on being a mum and enjoy that time with my kids, so I moved back to Toowoomba. They’re always making me laugh and never fail to bring a smile to my face.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Though it might seem like I have this glamourous life reporting on live TV and having a beautiful family, in reality I’m no different to anyone else. My struggles are trying to juggle everything like everyone else, from achieving my news reporter dream to spending good quality time with my family, it can difficult. I’m a normal person in a strange situation.
Number one parenting tip
My number one parenting tip would be, don’t stress about the little things, pick your battles. Speed bumps can come about but the most important thing I make sure in my family is that my boys are happy, healthy and always feel loved.
If you could have one special talent what would it be?
If I could have one special talent it would probably be the ability to control time. I think that would help me so much in every aspect of my life.
