Judith Aisthorpe
Reporter NT News
What’s your link to Townsville?
I was born and raised in Townsville and studied multimedia journalism at JCU so that set me on my career path.
Where are you now?
I live in a tropical house in Darwin. For those who have never been to the Top End I recommend a visit. Darwin is a mix of the outback and tropical living with capital city comforts and a hint of Asian influence —no one blinks an eye if you eat laksa for breakfast here. The storms during the wet season are also magical.
What does your work involve?
I’m a reporter at the NT News in Darwin so I dabble in the extra-terrestrial and crocs. From reporting on the first baby hatchlings of the season at a local croc farm to a croc attack in Katherine — I’ve covered a fair bit. I remember one croc attack where two men were fishing in a tinnie and they capsised. In the heat of the moment, trying to climb on top of the upturned boat, one of the men drowned. The other spent three hours fighting off crocs, while stuck waist deep in water with nothing but spanners and spark plugs. The story was both fascinating and heartbreaking and showed the true grit of the fight for survival.
The best thing about the paper is no story idea is too crazy and there are so many opportunities to grab. It makes for a fun newsroom. Recently I dressed up as a mango thief to grace the front page of the paper — that kind of thing wouldn’t happen in any other paper across the country.
How did your time in Townsville set you up for success?
Most of my family and friends are there and they have provided me with a strong support network.
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