Where Are They Now?
Ashleigh Gibson

What’s your link to Townsville?
I moved to Townsville from Hobart in 2008 and started high school at The Cathedral School. I then continued my studies at James Cook University, where I studied Journalism. After finishing my degree I moved to Melbourne to pursue my passion for presenting. I ended up meeting sports reps for a company called First Point USA, who were staying in the hotel I was working at the time. They were in Australia scouting for their collage programs for the UK and mentioned they needed a sports reporter for their online blog. I jumped at the opportunity and ended up working for them reporting any sports that were big at the time, which included the Women’s World Cup and the Wimbledon Cup.

Where are you now?
I moved to Canada in 2015. I felt I needed a break after going straight from high school to university then to work. I never did a gap year so I decided it was time. I’ve been living mostly in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, which is one of the largest ski areas in Canada. I spend my days snowboarding and working as a guest service agent in a ski-in, ski-out hotel that I also live in. I get to snowboard almost every day and the life is so peaceful. I love not having to take any public transport and not needing a car. I will be heading back to Melbourne soon to hopefully start a 10-year goal I’ve set myself in hotel management with my sights set on the Marriott chain. I’ve always loved presenting and video production but as time has gone on I’ve found it’s more of a side passion rather than a career for me. My future focus is now in hotel management.

How did your time in Townsville set you up for success?
I wouldn’t have become the person I am today if it wasn’t for moving to Townsville. My life really took off after uni and going to JCU to study journalism really shaped me. You may not see my face on TV or my name in newspapers like I first planned but I gained so much just from getting my thee-year degree. I use it every day in ways I thought I never would.