It seems that Madeleine Cross, (Duncraig, Class of 2013) has always had a way with words, and today she’s using her talents to share other people’s stories on the Gold Coast.
Straight from school Madeleine went to university and studied a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Marketing. 
“Following my undergraduate studies, I wanted some more practical experience, so undertook ECU’s postgraduate in broadcasting. That was where I really found my feet and realised my passion for news and media,” says Madeleine.
In 2019, while still at Edith Cowan University, Madeleine was awarded the Charmaine Dragun Memorial Award which recognises outstanding journalists or media contributors under the age of 25 who are committed to fair and balanced reporting on young people or youth issues.
“I was really honoured to receive this award for a story I produced on young males’ mental health. In the same year I was also nominated for the Outstanding Student Journalism Award at the MEAA WA Awards. This really spurred me on in my passion for journalism,” Madeleine says.
“When I finished my broadcasting studies at ECU, I was awarded an internship at the West Australian.”
Madeleine was also awarded the Paul Lockyer Internship at the ABC News Channel in Sydney, so, in February 2020 she made the move to Sydney to work at the ABC’s headquarters.
“This was such an exciting experience. I was there for two years and was able to gain experience in multiple areas, including producing their 24-hour news channel and working night shift for nine months straight as the overnight radio reporter!”
This gruelling schedule didn’t diminish Madeleine’s passion for journalism, though. From Sydney, she took a leap to regional reporting.
“I moved to the ABC’s bureau in Port Macquarie, a lovely coastal town on the NSW Mid North Coast. I spent around 1.5 years there reading the radio news bulletins, and telling the community’s stories for TV, radio and online platforms.”
“Telling stories in a regional community has definitely been a highlight for me, I was able to meet so many people with important stories – and you never knew what the workday would bring!”
Today Madeleine is still with the ABC but has moved to the Gold Coast where she is producing a daily radio show.
“My current role as a radio producer involves solo producing the daily three-hour Drive show. It’s such a fast-paced role with very tight deadlines, and every day is different, but it makes the role exciting.”
During her time at St Stephen’s School, journalism was always as a potential career for Madeleine.
“I loved the creative subjects – English, Drama, and Design for example. I had always loved writing, but thanks to some amazing teachers it definitely became one of my strengths during my time at St Stephens. So, I always had journalism in the back of my mind.”
“I love meeting new people every day. I feel very lucky when someone trusts me to tell their stories. No two days are the same. Sometimes you will be covering a natural disaster or breaking story, and other days you will be covering a hopeful story with an interesting character.”
Madeleine’s advice to the Class of 2024, and other St Stephen’s School students thinking about their futures?
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to find your “passion” straight away and say yes to opportunities even if they might seem scary at the time. And if you can, living in a different state or city is both fun and challenging, but you’ll learn heaps of life lessons along the way.”