Three of Australian television best-known personalities will share a stage next week as the special guests at this year’s ASTRA Women In Television breakfast.
Joining acclaimed actress and star of ABC’s Janet King, Marta Dusseldorp, will be film critic Margaret Pomeranz and culinary icon and The Great Australian Bake Off judge Maggie Beer.
Ahead of the ASTRA breakfast event, Mediaweek asked Pomeranz and Beer about their careers and what continues to drive them.
Mediaweek: You continue to have a successful career. Is there anything you still want to do?
Pomeranz: I’ve been enormously lucky in my career, working with fabulous people and becoming enmeshed in our film culture. Also, I’m particularly lucky that Foxtel wanted me! If there is another area I would like to develop, it’s long-form writing, and I’m working on it.
Beer: Oh my gosh! There is so much still to be done, both putting the ideas in my head into practicalities of my business, which I think will be never-ending, and then my work with the Foundation, where we are working on food in aged care across Australia, primarily how to make it affordable and beautiful. That will keep me busy for the rest of my life.
Mediaweek: Is there anything you knocked back you wished you hadn’t?
Pomeranz: There was possibly a reviewing gig that I turned down that in hindsight I maybe should have accepted, but it would have killed me. So maybe it’s better I passed on it. A few filmmakers have asked me to be in their films but I’ve told them I’m doing them a favour by declining!
Beer: No, I don’t think so. I can’t put anything to mind. One of the reasons for that is that it’s been such a slow burn. We’ve been in business for 37 years. We were never in a hurry – always one step in front of the other.
Mediaweek: What are three words that best describe you?
Pomeranz: Hmm, chaotic, emotional, cryptic crossword nut!
Beer: Optimistic, tenacious, and driven.
Mediaweek: Where do you get your optimism?
Beer: I think it’s actually an inherited part of my genes. My mother was just like that too. I always had rose-coloured glasses and could always see the best of everything, how to do things well and find the beauty in every day.
Mediaweek: You’ll be addressing 700 women at the ASTRA Women in Television Breakfast event in Sydney next week. What is one thing you’d like them to walk away with?
Beer: You have to find what it is you really want to do in life and work towards it. I think you often have to search for it. If you’re not happy doing what you’re doing, find out what it is that is going to make you happy and take the plunge.
Join the annual ASTRA Women In Television Breakfast at The Star Event Centre in Sydney on Tuesday, September 6. For more information tickets visit www.astra.org.au