Melissa on the left now, like Melbourne.
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Well that’s one positive
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JOEL DRY JOINS MELISSA DOWNES
ON 9NEWS QUEENSLAND
MONDAY, AUGUST 18
9News Queensland is entering an exciting new era, with award-winning presenter, Melissa Downes, welcoming Joel Dry to the news desk, from Monday, August 18.
The duo will co-anchor the top-rating Monday to Friday editions of 9News Queensland.
It’s a homecoming for Dry who first joined the Brisbane newsroom 14 years ago, going on to cover many of Queensland’s biggest stories.
Dry said: “It’s a thrill to come home to Nine and work alongside the best in the business. The newsroom is full of energy and teaming up with Melissa is such an honour. She is the gold standard in Queensland news and has been so warm and welcoming. Together, I’m excited for us to deliver the stories that really matter to Queenslanders.”
Downes said: “I’m delighted to have Joel joining the team. We’re both so passionate about telling the stories of our amazing State and teaming-up will allow us to really add something extra into our nightly coverage. I’m looking forward to being out in our communities more often and engaging with people, to make sure we’re getting to the heart of what affects them.”
The move marks a return to a double-header presenting format following the retirement of Andrew Lofthouse early this year.
Director of 9News Queensland, Brendan Hockings, said: “Building around Melissa and Joel says everything about how we want to engage with the evolving news world. We have two top tier journalists who will be hands-on telling stories. It also gives us a lot of flexibility in how we respond to breaking news in a state as diverse as Queensland.”
The new-look presenting team comes at a time of historic strength for 9News Queensland, which has won every week of the official 2025 ratings survey year, while 6pm viewership has grown by more than 14% year-on-year.
The 9News Queensland 6pm bulletin, with Melissa Downes and Joel Dry, on Channel 9 and 9Now, begins Monday, August 18.
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Was Mimi already in Canberra?? I thought she replaced by Claudia
Melbourne sports reporter Nathan Currie has returned from paternity leave after 3 months and has moved back to news reporting.
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It’ll be nice to see Edward Godfrey return to Nine Adelaide and strengthen the team.
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While Brisbane Re-Gains a Co-Anchor, Sydney’s Bulletin still Remains without One, SOmething they need to trail during the Summer.
As does Perth
Ratings don’t suggest so
But I do agree there’s scope - I’d be tempted to put Ally there. Her and Pete are great mates. I’d move Deb onto ACA.
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If I were STW I’d also pair Michael Thomson with Tracy Vo on weeknights, when the latter returns from her maternity leave, and have Natalia Cooper read on weekends. They’re building a strong team in the west and are in good position to try and overtake TVW once Rick and Sue retire.
This would also quell any move by TVW to potentially poach Vo as a successor to Susannah Carr.
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Look how poorly that has worked out for Seven in Sydney. Seemed like a good idea at the time …
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A shame that Nine Melbourne will once again lose another experienced reporter, but at least Nathan Currie is returning.
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Nine News Qld loses senior reporter Josh Bavas to network’s new Europe team
Weeks after losing veteran reporter Tim Arvier to the state government, Nine News Queensland has lost another journalist in Josh Bavas who will relocate to London.
The back-to-back exits of two of the network’s most senior journalists have sparked speculation over who will take the reins in the Brisbane political bureau.
Nine insiders have told this masthead the political editor role is expected to go to returning London correspondent Jess Millward, with A Current Affair reporter Reece D’Alessandro considered a close second.
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Georgie will be presenting in Sydney on Thursday
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I like this but I’d have Mon Kos as weekends presenter (or co-host with Thommo weekdays and TVo on Late News/weekends), Natalia back to weather/afternoon news for a bit of nostalgia, Paddy on sport. Scherri either weekend weather/arvo news/steps away to be a mum.
TVo would be a massive loss to Nine Perth and Seven’s gain. She needs to be looked after by Nine Perth as she is one of their more familiar and locally loved faces.
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“Get to know 9News QLD’s co-presenter Joel Dry”.
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At least it looks a little less daggy and manufactured than when they tried this stuff with Andrew. A little.
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Rehearsals happening with Joel and Melissa
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