Welcome to Quick Q – Monday Media’s weekly Q&A series dedicated to finding out more about the personalities that matter most in the Australian media landscape.
Every week The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age asks key figures across corporate media, business, sport, federal politics, radio, television and culture to answer a series of questions about their lives, careers, hobbies and news habits.
This week’s conversation is with Nicole Livingstone, general manager, Women’s Football – AFL and former Olympic swimmer and commentator.
Nicole Livingstone.Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen
How did you get your big break?
Swimming – following my big brother and sister, talent spotted by my first coach Vic Warren.
TV – Heard Channel 9 were looking for a surf life saving commentator, put my hand up to screen test with the HUGE Darryl Eastlake and got the job! AFL – meeting with a recruiter about a job at Netball and the AFL had sent through the Head of Women’s Football that morning, asked if I wanted to throw my hat in, I said yes and after a rigorous process was offered the job in November 2017.
What are daily news media habits?
It is part of my sleep routine, reading the top news stories on Apple news. It’s not that they put me to sleep – I can just sleep easier if I know what is going on in the world! In the morning I immediately scroll through The Age and Herald Sun so I’m up to date first thing.
Which living person do you most admire?
Catherine Freeman.
Your guilty streaming pleasure?
It’s not really an embarrassing one because it’s excellent, but I can’t stop watching Fearless – The Inside Story of the AFLW on Disney Plus at the moment.
Which phrase do you overuse?
And what about AFLW?
What did you want to do when you grew up?
Victoria Police – Mounted.
What was your first job?
Hot bread shop in Dingley, aged 14, never cut my hands slicing bread!
Facebook or Instagram?
Insta for public, Facebook for family and friend circle.
Recommend a podcast…
League Leaders (with Nicole Livingstone).
What’s one vice you wish you could give up?
Sugar.
The song that’s always on high rotation?
Any song by Allen Stone – Brown Eyed Lover.
Book you’re reading right now?
Wolf Pack by Amy Wambach.
Favourite movie of the past decade?
Black Light with Liam Neeson, my husband, Marty Smith was the Steadicam/Camera Operator on it!
Top of your sporting bucket list?
New York Mets winning a world series.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t dwell or feel sorry for yourself for too long, pick yourself up and keep going. My mum, Elsie.
What are the three things you couldn’t live without?
Husband Marty, Kids (Ella, Josh and Robinson), my phone.
He spent six years in London working for The Guardian.Connect via Twitter or email.
