INSPIRED
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Inspired
JOURNALISM I was fortunate enough and feel very lucky to have been able to pick the brains of someone I truly look up to, a fellow journalist and blogger as well as social and entertainment presenter, the one and only THOMAS MARLOW! Firstly thank you much for taking the time to answer some questions for me, I'm really excited to have a chat with you because you were a big reason as to why I decided to embark on the adventure that is the journalism industry. So I do really appreciate it. That's so kind, Aimee! It's my absolute pleasure to have a chat. Now firstly Tom, why journalism... Did you wake up one day and suddenly decide that it was what you wanted to do? Funnily enough, it was actually Judge Judy who really put me on the pathway of wanting to pursue a career in broadcasting. When I was younger, I watched Judge Judy religiously and I used to tell people that I wanted to be a judge. As I grew older, I learnt that one simply does not just become a judge out of nowhere, so I looked into other avenues. I also watched news and current affairs programmes very regularly, and at the age of about eight or nine, not really knowing what a 'journalist' was, I decided that I would like a career telling stories in front of a camera. Since then, that vision has condensed a little, and I eventually narrowed it down to broadcasting journalism - it still involves getting justice for people (the quality that I liked in Judge Judy), plus it involves videos, radio and television which I love. How old where you when you started to really pursue a journalistic career? When I was nearing the end of high school, I began to do some research into what I needed to do to get my foot in the door. I emailed and met with a variety of different journalists and presenters and chose the best option that I thought would put me in good stead to kick start my journey. After school I took some time off, and then eventually I started university when I was about nineteen. I also have a position as a breakfast newsreader for a Perth radio station - that job fell into place about seven months ago. I also work as a swimming instructor and a lifeguard - two jobs that are very different to journalism, but both that I really enjoy. Now Tom, Is it safe to say you were a clever and well behaved student who studied hard at school? Absolutely not! Well, I suppose I wasn't terrible, but I certainly didn't put much emphasis on the academic side of things. I used to always get into trouble for talking in class. A lot, actually. I went through a bit of a strange period in my middle school years where I made some poor choices, but I rectified that in my final year of school. In Year Twelve I was the school Head Boy, I was a senior journalist in the journalism club and I belonged to five different music ensembles, so I felt like I'd left a positive mark on the school, and it felt as if it was a well rounded end to my time there. Thinking back, I had such a fabulous year in Year Twelve, and I managed to get the score that I needed to land me a position in media studies at university, as well as having a lot of fun! Have you studied journalism professionally or are you more self taught? I am still in the process of studying - I'm doing a degree in Mass Communications, specialising in Journalism and Public Relations at Curtin University in Perth. Who has been the biggest influence in your life, both professionally and personally? That's a tough one... Personally, my Mum has been very influential. I am very close with her and I have been nothing but inspired by the way she has conducted herself. She's faced many hurdles, and she continues to stride through life with a sense of grace and determination that I can only dream of having. Professionally, I would have to say that Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr from Channel Seven are my biggest inspirations - they've been anchoring news alongside each other for over thirty years, and their depth of knowledge and profound ability for news presenting is nothing short of amazing. Just watching them every night, as I have done for my entire life, has taught me a lot. They've both personally helped me out in different ways, which I feel very privileged about, and I was so thrilled when they agreed to appear in my story for Telethon. My heart aches for the day when they eventually stop working...My life literally won't be the same! What has been one of the biggest highlights of your career? Another tough one! Can I have more than one? There's been so many - and really, I've only just begun. I'd say that interviewing Susannah Carr who I talked about earlier was a significant highlight. Watching someone on television for your entire life and then spending an afternoon with them is quite indescribable. I was also lucky enough to fly to Melbourne for the 30th anniversary of the Aussie drama Neighbours to do a special package - that was an absolute ball! I've had many highlights though - I've been back and forth across the country quite a few times, I've worked alongside Michelle Bridges, represented WA at different conferences, and met so many people who I admire... It's hard to narrow it down. Who has been your favourite person to interview so far? Probably Susannah Carr. She has an energy about her that is just so infectious. Aussie actress Kym Valentine from Neighbours was pretty surreal, too. She is such a charismatic lady and was incredibly engaged throughout the interview. Now Tom, I see you have almost 20,000 Facebook likes. That's awesome! How does that make you feel having that kind of support and following? It's lovely! I am blown away at how well people have received 'Tom's Talk Time'. I'm now reaching over 70 different countries which I am pretty proud of. I'm a realist, though, and of course there are ups and downs. I have good and bad days, and some people are really quite cruel. I've been called all sorts of names and I've read some awful things about me, the way I look and my work, but on the whole, aside from a few people who quite often are just keyboard warriors, most people are really supportive. Speaking of support, how supportive have your family been of you and your career? The support from my Mum and my sister has been phenomenal - I don't think there has been one post that they haven't discussed with me! They're also really great at providing me with constructive criticism - they know when I've missed the mark, and I think it's important to hear that. My best friend, Charlie, has given me a lot too. I have known him since we were both babies, so to have him working with me on a lot of different projects has been really terrific. Also I remember something about you in the papers late last year, how did that come about? Yes, well the most recent story was when I was appointed my role as a breakfast newsreader at RTRfm in Perth. I'd also just come back from Sydney after doing an internship at Network Ten. The other few times were in regards to my P!nk tattoo... The singer autographed my wrist and I had it tattooed over straight away. Now THAT is a story! I was over the moon! It actually made the news in seven different countries! A little bird told me, Tom, that you and the adorable Telethon star, little miss Emily Prior, are practically best friends - isn't she just the cutest, most inspirational little girl! How did you meet her? Absolutely! I met Em when I was doing a video story for Tom's Talk Time about Telethon. I connected with her and her family instantly, and I just fell in love with her courage and kick-ass determination! All of her family are so tremendously kind to me, and I really do think that I've made some friends for life. We all have dreams and aspirations, so what are yours, where do you see yourself in say 5 years time? Well, in five years time I hope to be working for a major news network. I hope that I've got a few more qualifications under my belt and that I've travelled. I hope that I've purchased my own house too. What can we expect from you this year? Anything exciting? Oh, yes! In September I'm temporarily moving to London! Before I leave, I'm hoping to work on something special with King Edward Memorial Hospital (I was born there), as well as producing a story on the WA Cat Haven. I'm also looking at releasing some Tom's Talk Time merchandise - that's going to be a big task, but I'm sure it will be lots of fun! Now Tom I think you're fantastic and I'm sure a lot of other people do to, so where might people be able to keep up to date with you. Facebook? Twitter? Instagram? Thank you! I have a private Facebook for friends and family only. That's under Thomas Marlow. I've had to say that because I have had one nasty person in particular try and imitate me by creating a false profile and tarnishing my name. That has since been shut down. My public Facebook page where all of my news related work goes is titled 'Tom's Talk Time'. I am also @TomMarlow_ on Twitter and @officialthomas28 on Instagram (the official at the front of Thomas is a long running joke with a couple of my friends, please don't think that I think I'm that important!). Finally Tom, Do you have any advice for aspiring young writers out there and future journalists like myself? I'd say that if you are providing some form of news, you HAVE to live and breathe it. Make sure you're fully aware of what is happening locally, nationally and internationally. Also, my suggestion is that you make time to meet people. There have been so many times that I have been at work all day, and I've had to go straight to a function later in the evening. I'm human and I get tired, and sometimes I've wanted to just drive home, but I've pushed through, and often really enjoyed it. Meeting new people is fabulous - and it leads to so many other opportunities. You need to also be comfortable going to events by yourself - and you need to be able to confidently stand your ground. Also remember to have fun with it, create all sorts of content and read as many books as you can. I'm still learning every single day, and I wouldn't change my life for the world. Thank you so much for chatting with me Tom, it's an absolute pleasure! Anytime, Aimee - and good luck with your future studies! "I'm still learning every single day!" Click the title "TOMS TALK TIME" to go to Toms Facebook page or
Click the "@" names to be directed to Toms Twitter & Instagram
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