"That was life as a foreign correspondent and I loved it.
"I've never known anyone else quite like her, in terms of the range of qualities she brings to the table as a journalist. "I think it's remarkable that Heather was able to make the transition from serious political reporting to a road show that demands a whole new skill set but that's when her country upbringing kicked in, putting people unused to media attention at ease, that's her specialty," Cassidy says.What impresses me the most though about Heather's success with Back Roads — and the faith the ABC put in the product — is that they defied the thinking that exists in so many facets of the media; that a mature-aged woman is not the right person to front programs like this. "ABC Regional offices do a great job of this but there wasn't much happening at a national level and I think we've tapped into something. Should borders be open? "And there were a lot of men working there who saw young women as fair game — you knew not to go to some politicians' offices on your own, particularly after they'd had a few whiskeys. The remarkable locals of the Pilbara region of Western Australia are driving change as the mining boom ends. "In 2015, former managing director Mark Scott presented Ewart with a blank canvas to create a new show for regional Australia after the ratings success of a documentary about the history of the National Party, The Nationals, she made with producer Lisa Whitehead (now also at Back Roads).Ewart brought talented Australian Story producer, Brigid Donovan, on board as EP and, with a small team, they came up with a program that looks for the positive in country towns.Donovan and two other producers working on the program actually live in rural communities and the program works closely with ABC teams based in regional areas. "On top of all that she was always bursting with energy and ideas. "The oratory was more impressive, there were better speeches, fewer Dorothy Dixers and the pollies all got on a lot better, they actually cared about each other — politicians from all sides mixed with staffers and journalists in the Non-Members Bar — and Andrew Peacock [Liberal] and Gerry Hand [Labor] were great mates because of their shared love of horse racing. Biography. Heather Ewart is a much loved, award-winning journalist and the popular host of Back Roads. A hairdresser and her 76 year old apprentice take a ten day road-trip from Innisfail to Normanton in Queensland's Gulf country. It is known for its natural beauty and wilderness, its isolation has bred a determination in the town to look after its own. "I was always made to feel I could achieve anything." White Cliffs is a tiny outback town known for opal mining and underground dugouts but the community is also full of colourful surprises. "After working on a variety of rounds in Melbourne, Ewart moved to Canberra, as a junior political reporter, covering the governments of Fraser and Hawke, election campaigns, leadership challenges and scandals. "I often get city people telling me now they're heading off on a 'Back Roads' trip based on a story we've done, and I love hearing that." Mallacoota is a remote place at the end of the road on the far eastern tip of Victoria. "Within a few months of me arriving the first Gulf War happened and that was just enormous," Ewart says. "Intellect, sharp news sense, humanity, quintessential story-teller, a willingness and capacity to take on anything, a capacity to work quickly under pressure, an assiduous networker with a wonderful capacity to persuade politicians and others in positions of power to commit to interviews that might not be in their best interests. Former governor-general Quentin Bryce is one of the show's biggest fans and appeared in an episode on the town of Winton, in Western Queensland, where she grew up.She frequently contacts Ewart with tips on towns that have a good story to tell. Robe is a fishing port on South Australia's Limestone coast that is known for helping others through their community run project 'Robe to Recovery' which helps War Veterans take time off from their everyday life. Lunch with Heather Ewart The award-winning political journalist has swapped the corridors of power for the dusty highways of rural Australia. )"I was really upset when she died but I felt that her story did make a major difference and led to the regulation of solariums. Back Roads Dreaming and Other Stories; Latest Episode. "I interviewed a family that fled Marysville and have kept in touch with them in the decade since. It was an early test of her tenaciousness, something every good journalist needs, and Ewart never doubted she could make it in a 'man's world'. Hermannsburg (known as Ntaria in Western Arrarnta language), the birthplace of Albert Namatjira, is nurturing both culture and creativity in its young people. Mundulla is a tiny South Australian community which cherishes its old world values, but doesn't mind a bit of healthy competition.
I've loved this the most of everything I've done, particularly after years of doing politics," she says. (Ewart won a Gold Quill from the Melbourne Press Club for this story. Locals are rising to the challenge and are carving out a new future
Dunalley was almost wiped out by bushfires in 2013 but instead of destroying them, the tragedy has proven to be a catalyst for many people to pursue a new path.