a born storyteller with a passion for social justice
At age 9, Stanley Harrison told his granddaughter Kirsty she reminded him of renowned Australian television current affairs journalist Jana Wendt. Even at this young age, he could see she was a talented storyteller. His encouragement put Kirsty on a path to journalism and ignited a passion for social justice which continues today. Kirsty officially began her journalism career in 1994 on the Blacktown Guardian Newspaper in Sydney’s west. The independent masthead won best Australian community newspaper during her time there as a reporter and photographer.
Kirsty gained valuable insight into communications and politics working as a media officer for the New South Wales Education Minister. But she had always set her sights on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. After completing a Master of Journalism and internships with ABC 7:30, ABC Radio Illawarra, North FM, and 9 News Sydney, Kirsty got her break. She moved from Sydney to the heart of Australia, Alice Springs, to take up a posting with the ABC in 1999, instantly falling in love with the town and its people. Mbantua still holds a special place in Kirsty's heart. It's where she met her husband, became a mum, got her first dog, and started her first business as a salsa dance instructor.
After a stint with ABC Radio Curent Affairs in Sydney, Kirsty moved to London and managed media relations for the UK nursing and midwifery regulator. The red dirt was still in her veins and Kirsty returned to Alice Springs from 2003 until 2010, when she swapped the desert for the tropics to lead the ABC Far North Queensland bureau in Cairns. During her ABC career, Kirsty covered many national stories including the abduction of British backpackers Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio, the Federal Government’s Intervention in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities and the first trial of Pine Gap protestors under Cold War-era national security legislation. Her reporting and authorship have earned her several accolades:
Silver - Woman in Media - 2026 Women Changing the World Global Awards
Gold - 2025 ABLE Golden Book Awards Multicultural Peace and Harmony
Biography of the Year - 2025 Best Indie Book Awards (US)
Best Radio News Journalism - Northern Territory Media Awards
Highly Commended – Walkley Award for Regional Journalism
Highly Commended - The John Bean Award for News and Current Affairs Camerawork - Queensland Clarion Awards
Stories of triumph over adversity and fighting for the underdog have always motivated Kirsty. So, when she met Som Tamang after the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal, she was immediately drawn to his campaign to help remote villages including his own, Batase, recover. Kirsty learned of Som’s humanitarian work protecting children from trafficking and premature marriage through Friends of Himalayan Children and knew she had to help.
After volunteering as a teacher in Batase during a leave of absence from the ABC, Kirsty made two life-changing decisions – she wanted to become a trainer and write Som’s biography.
Both of those dreams have now come to fruition. In 2017, Kirsty started Regional Media Training to help organisations build capacity to share their stories and engage effectively with the media. In 2019, she co-founded eMotion Video Training & Production. Business accolades include:
2026 Finalist Community Contribution Award - Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards
2024 Finalist Australian Women's Small Business Champion
2023 Collaboration of the Year - CBWC Businesswoman of the Year Awards
2023 and 2024 Finalist Innovation Award - Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards
Kirsty's debut novel, Himalayan Dreams has been read in more than 12 countries and was awarded Biography of the Year in 2025.
She now travels Australia delivering media and presentation skills workshops, and speaking about her book and her journey through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to live a life of passion and purpose. Kirsty is the founder of Women in Media Far North Queensland and proudly mentors regional journalists and business owners. Kirsty is an advocate for gender equity, mental health, and women’s reproductive health.