Claire Fenwicke: “Riotact’s place is to deliver for the community and be part of the community.” Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region’s first Canberra editor Claire Fenwicke hadn’t considered a career in journalism until a high school test revealed she was a perfect fit for media.
The aptitude test in a careers class clearly showed her future direction and she hasn’t regretted a moment of her career since then.
“I hadn’t thought of journalism as a job option, but when the aptitude test said journalist, I thought, well, I’m a bit nosy, I like to know things, I like to advocate for things and find out what issues are and be amongst everything, so it was actually a really appropriate career path,” she says.
Claire grew up on a sheep and cattle farm at Walcha, near Armidale in NSW’s New England region. She reckons the chilly winters there prepared her for what was to come in Canberra.
It was also growing up in a small-town community that made her a natural fit with Region when she joined Riotact as a reporter in 2022. Since then, she’s covered general and community news, courts and crime, and the Legislative Assembly.
“Riotact’s place is to deliver for the community and be part of the community,” she says.
“We feel it’s really important everyone has access to free, local news.”
After school, Claire left the farm and headed to the coast and the University of Wollongong, where she earned a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in theatre.
Unusually for a journalist, Claire also did a minor in Mathematics (we traditionally steer clear of numbers and figures).
Looking back on her studies, Claire says the theatre work has been instrumental in her media career, helping with interview skills and the ability to be flexible in conversations.
While at uni, she was awarded the prestigious J B Fairfax award for rural and regional journalism for students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the sector after graduation.
Her first job after graduating was in another chilly part of the world, at Bowral in the Southern Highlands. Covering community and entertainment rounds for the local newspaper, she discovered a love for writing stories about grassroots community groups and people.
A move to Canberra with her future husband also meant a shift into TV news.
While initially uncertain about the move to TV, Claire quickly adapted to the demanding deadlines and loved the thrill of a live news show. She was both a producer behind the scenes and an on-air presenter.
Her time management and organisational skills were really put to the test a few years later when Claire gave birth to twins, now aged four.
“I was really pleased they were a boy and a girl, so I could easily tell them apart,” she laughs.
The twins will soon have a sibling, and Claire’s looking forward to having an arm free at feeding times.
She’ll take a few months’ maternity leave and then dive back into her role as Riotact editor.
“Region as a company has been so supportive, so good to me,” she says.
“I’ve loved seeing Genevieve Jacobs [former Group Editor] and Kim Treasure [Content Director] show how you can have a family while still progressing in your career.
“It’s been really inspirational to be in a place that’s been nurturing, believed in me and given me opportunities, especially since I’ll be heading off on maternity leave.”
Claire is incredibly proud of how Riotact delivers factual, balanced news across a variety of subjects from throughout the area.
“We also have those fun, quirky community stories because, after all, there’s more happening in your suburb than just politics, court and crime.”
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