Q&A: Fleur Bainger on making your mark in media

Fleur Bainger, a freelance journalist, and former ABC rural reporter, has carved a unique path in journalism, transitioning from rural radio to lifestyle writing and travel features. She shares her journey -- from early highlights in her career to advice for aspiring journalists -- with The Burne's Ramanan Balamukundan

You started your career as a rural reporter for ABC Radio. What initially drew you to this path in journalism?

I studied journalism at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Like many others, I was eager to find my first job. A friend of mine, also studying journalism, brought a document to my attention and said, “The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is looking for rural trainees; you need a journalism degree and a rural background.” Having grown up on a farm, I realized I had the necessary credentials, so I decided to apply. Out of 161 applicants, I made it to the final three, and instead of offering me a traineeship, they offered me a job. Just one week after successfully navigating the application process, I found myself on air.

Can you share one or two standout moments from your career—those experiences that have stayed with you and will continue to resonate in your memory?

One that stands out is from my time as a rural reporter when I jumped into a World War II plane, flying just nine meters above an almond field for a story I was covering. Another memorable moment was the first time one of my ABC stories was picked up globally by the BBC and ABC World News—it was surreal to hear my work broadcast in places like New Zealand and the UK. Another moment that I remember was being appointed as the presenter of the Country Hour when I was about 22 or 23, which was incredibly exciting. 

What were the biggest challenges you faced when transitioning from radio to freelance journalism, and how did you overcome them?

Transitioning from radio to freelance journalism was absolutely challenging. When I decided to leave ABC radio to go freelance, I was about 24 or 25, and I was inspired by a freelance journalist I heard speak at my university. I knew I wanted to pursue that path, so I saved $5,000 as a safety net in case I did not get any work for a few months. Then, I just threw myself into it.

I reached out to editors, offering to work for free, but fortunately, they had heard me on ABC radio and offered me paid assignments instead. That kickstarted my freelance career. At first, I was not sure if I could write long-form, since I had only written radio scripts before, but I put myself in a position where I had to learn, and it turned out well. I worked hard, read a lot of magazines, and did my research to improve. 

How do you approach storytelling, especially when dealing with topics that might not seem immediately appealing to a broad audience?

My belief is that if you make the writing and the story compelling enough, you can engage people with absolutely anything. Even if someone has no interest in the topic—say, golf clubs or watermelon farming—if the story is evocative and well-told, it will capture their attention. Early in my career, I wrote a story about a watermelon farmer who grew the world's largest organically grown watermelon. It was a quirky, fun piece, and because I told it in an interesting way, it went global. The value of storytelling is in its ability to create conversation, to be memorable, and to engage people in a way that makes them want to share it with others. 

What advice would you give to young journalists breaking into the industry, especially in today’s competitive media landscape?

I think it is important to remain hopeful. It is easy to get caught up in the idea that the media industry is struggling—readership declining, no money in it, and so on—but those are not reasons to stop pursuing what you love. In fact, Australia has more people reading magazines per capita than anywhere else in the world. There is still plenty of hunger for content, whether in print or online. It is just about being brave, finding the right outlets, and pitching your story ideas. If you do not hear back from an editor, be persistent, follow up, and keep trying. The opportunities are out there if you are willing to seek them out.