Sydney Stories

Kate McClymont AM is an investigative journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald. Her eight Walkley Awards include the Gold for her coverage of the Bulldogs salary cap rorts. She was named 2012 NSW Journalist of the Year for her investigations into former NSW Labor minister, Eddie Obeid and Health Services Union head, Michael Williamson.

Peter Hoysted is a columnist at The Australian where he writes under the nom de plume, Jack the Insider. He is also a TV writer and co-author of Unholy Trinity, an exposè of police corruption that protected paedophile priests, and Fine Cotton Fiasco, the comedic tale of an infamous Australian horse race.

Bridie Jabour is opinion editor at Guardian Australia. She is the author of Trivial Grievances and the novel The Way Things Should Be.

Toby Martin is a musician and songwriter, living and writing on Gadigal land. With his band Youth Group he has released five studio albums, won multiple awards and toured the world. He has also released three solo records and is a historian of music, working as a Lecturer in Contemporary Music at the Conservatorium of Music.

Chris Masters retains the record of longest serving reporter on Australia’s longest running current affairs program, Four Corners. Over 25 years he made a series of nation shaping reports, including one which helped trigger Queensland’s Fitzgerald Inquiry. Chris has authored five books, the most recent, No Front Line, Australian Special Forces at War in Afghanistan.

Chris Abrahams is a member of the improvising trio, The Necks, named by the New York Times as “The greatest trio in the world”. Having released over 13 albums across the band’s internationally successful 30 year career – Chris’s unique musical voice informs his output across a wide range of settings - from his role in The Necks, to his own sonically experimental releases and collaborations with artists such as Amanda Stewart, to his work on pop projects with artists including singer Melanie Oxley, Midnight Oil, The Church & Silverchair.

Zoe Norton Lodge is an author, presenter, television writer and co-founder of Story Club, a live storytelling stage show and podcast. Her TV credits include Reputation Rehab, The Checkout, and multiple shows with The Chaser team. Zoe’s book Almost Sincerely is about growing up in Annadale.

Martha Marlow has received widespread critical acclaim as a singer/songwriter since the release of her ARIA nominated debut album ‘Medicine Man’ last year. Recently shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Music Prize, in January Martha performed her album at a sold-out City Recital Hall with her band of jazz luminaries including bass player and composer Jonathan Zwartz and a 17 piece chamber orchestra conducted by Nigel Westlake. This performance was “to an audience that rewards her with a rapturous adulation and no less than three standing ovations… a voice which promises in time to rank alongside the greats whose influences she wears so well.” SMH 16 January 2022 S. Razavi.

Mawunyo Gbogbo is a music and pop culture reporter for Double J and ABC News. Her memoir, Hip Hop & Hymns, will be published by Penguin Books Australia in June 2022. Mawunyo’s reporting and storytelling has been recognised with awards, and she has been selected for the 2021-22 Walkley Foundation Mentorship Program. 

Becca Hatch has a resume littered with stellar achievements – from winning triple j's Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative in 2017, to show-stopping performances at the State of Origin and Sydney Opera House. Becca’s music leans into her Samoan heritage with powerful gospel choir vocals and tranquil island sounds, while her Indigenous roots are evident through storytelling and poignant self-reflection.

Amber Schultz is an investigative journalist and associate editor at Crikey covering politics, social affairs and gender. She’s been shortlisted for five Young Walkleys, was the 2019 Jacoby-Walkley scholar and was awarded the 2021 Mumbrella Young Writer of the Year for her political commentary on parliamentary reckoning.

Ella Archibald-Binge is a proud descendant of the Kamilaroi people, with a passion for telling First Nations stories. The Young Walkley Award-winning journalist has covered news and current affairs for SBS and NITV and The Sydney Morning Herald. She currently reports for the ABC’s 7.30 program.

Sara Mansour is a lawyer, writer, and founding artistic director of Bankstown Poetry Slam. She has worked with leading cultural organisations including Sydney Festival, the Biennale of Sydney, and Sydney Writers Festival, and is the founding director of Muslim Agenda, Australia’s first Muslim women’s festival. Sara is also a board member of Monkey Baa Theatre Company, the Crescent Institute, and Sweatshop.

Rebecca De Unamuno is an improv comedian, voice-over artist, broadcaster and your hist of Sydney Stories.