Kim Watkins
Kim Watkins (born 22 September 1967) is a former Australian television and news presenter.
Kim Watkins | |
---|---|
Born | |
Occupation | Television presenter |
Years active | 1979 – 2009 |
Known for | National Nine Morning News 1992 Olympic Games Australia's Most Wanted 1998 Commonwealth Games 9am with David and Kim (2006–2009) Saving Babies (2007) Sydney New Year's Eve (2007–08); (2008–09) |
Children | three daughters |
Career
Watkins began her career aged 12 as the co-host of the Nine Network's children's show You Asked For It.[1]
In 1989, Kim began a six-year stint at the Seven Network in Brisbane working as a news reporter and a morning show host. While at Seven, she also worked on the 1992 Olympic Games.
In 1995 Watkins joined the Nine Network, working as a reporter on many shows including Good Medicine, Australia's Most Wanted, Money, and giving updates for the Wide World of Sports telecast of the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.[2] Watkins also presented National Nine Morning News and was a fill-in presenter on other National Nine News bulletins.
In April 2005, Watkins took the Nine Network to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, following a maternity leave dispute in which Watkins was reported to be "unhappy with the work she was assigned when she returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her third child."[3] Watkins and the Nine Network reached an agreement and she left the Nine Network.
In September 2005, Kim joined Seven Network as a reporter on Beyond Tomorrow.[4] She stayed with the network until the end of the year.
In January 2006, Watkins joined Network Ten to co-host a new morning show 9am with David and Kim with David Reyne. The show replaced long running Good Morning Australia. She also hosted Saving Babies and was a regular fill-presenter for Carrie Bickmore on Network Ten's panel show The Project.[5]
From 2007–09, Watkins co-hosted the Sydney New Year's Eve telecast with Andrew G.
Kim is also an avid amateur motor racing driver and has driven in a number of celebrity events including the celebrity race before the 2006 Australian Grand Prix. Starting from second on the grid, behind three times Australian Superbike champion Shawn Giles, Watkins finished in third place behind winner, Giles, and AFL footballer, Alastair Lynch. Watkins said, "I am absolutely ecstatic with third...this is one for all the Mummies out there".[6]
Kim turned down the opportunity to co-host Breakfast. The position was later given to Kathryn Robinson.[7]
Personal life
Watkins has three children, including identical mono-amniotic mono-chorionic twin girls.[8]
References
- Nicholson, Sarah, "Square eyes", The Courier-Mail, 28 February 2007
- The Guide, "Woman of substance heads south", The Courier-Mail, 26 January 2006
- Vermeer, Tony, "Watkins settles network dispute", The Sunday Telegraph, 1 May 2005
- Edmonds, Mike; Dennehy, Luke; Adams, Chloe; "Kim goes beyond", The Herald Sun, 15 November 2005
- Gadd, Michael, "New Kids on Ten Block", The Newcastle Herald, 27 January 2006
- Superbike champ takes out Celebrity Challenge Driveguide 3 April 2006
- "Kim Watkins turns down Ten's Breakfast". Media Spy. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
- Elsworth, Sophie, "Kim's just kidding around", The Advertiser, 21 February 2007
External links
- Hoffmann, Luise, Kim and Kerri-Anne's TV faux pas, ABC Brisbane, 15 May 2007
- Mum In Profile - Kim Watkins, essentialbaby.com.au, September 2006
- Kim Watkins, Channel Ten biography
- Kim Watkins at IMDb
Preceded by Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton |
9am with David & Kim Co-host with David Reyne January 2006–11 December 2009 |
Succeeded by The Circle |
Preceded by Gretel Killeen and Daniel MacPherson |
Sydney New Year's Eve Co-host with Andrew Günsberg 2007–08 – 2008–09 |
Succeeded by Leila McKinnon and Cameron Williams |