Telling Tales at Hardie Grant

Join us for a Thursday night of fun and storytelling!  

Four fabulous women are set to share a story from their working life for Women in Media's Melbourne community. Whether it's a light-bulb or sliding-doors moment, memory of good times, or a period they're glad is over - the only rule is that it has to be true. Oh, and entertaining. 

Hosted by the wonderful folks at Hardie Grant, and MC-ed by journalist Susan Horsburgh (Good Weekend, The Australian Women's Weekly, and WiM's own channels), the four award-winning women set to share true tales with you are:

• Broadcaster Zan Rowe
• Comedian Annie Louey
• Broad Radio Founder Jo Stanley 
• TV Presenter Elly Wicks

More about your Telling Tales speakers 

Zan Rowe is an award-winning radio broadcaster, TV presenter, and music journalist. Best known for her long career on triple j and Double J, Zan is behind the acclaimed Take Five podcast and primetime TV series, as well as the pop culture podcast Bang On, with Myf Warhurst. She has interviewed everyone from Paul McCartney to Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave to Ice Cube, Tori Amos to Tyler the Creator. Zan has also been at the helm of ABC's New Year's Eve broadcast since 2017. 

Annie Louey has a background in journalism, but she's thrived on the stand-up comedy circuit, blending both skills for her own TV program, Cross Border Comedy. Annie's quick wit and cheeky charm mean that she's a regular guest on TV shows such as ABC's News Breakfast, and a host for Rediscover Victoria on SBS. Her episode on Australian Story (ABC TV) has been watched over 2 million times on YouTube. Her stand-up show, Annie Louey is Flirting with Death, won a prestigious Moosehead Award for comedy in 2021. She's also created a YouTube sketch show, written for shows such as Rosehaven, and somehow manages to find time to be a marriage celebrant.  

Jo Stanley is a performer, writer, podcaster and broadcaster. Her 20-year career in radio includes 2 record-breaking number-one breakfast shows, making her one of Australia's most successful radio hosts. As well as writing a regular column for Sunday Life magazine, Jo is the creator of the Play Like a Girl children's book series, and an advocate for gender equality. She launched Broad Radio - Australia's first radio network for women, a platform that aims to amplify the full diversity of women's voices. 

Elly Wicks started her career as a television presenter with the 7 Network in 2017. During her time at 7NEWS Regional, she led news bulletins during some of Australia's biggest events, including the summer bushfires, catastrophic floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. When Elly moved to 7NEWS Melbourne, she expanded into entertainment, lifestyle, and sports reporting. Elly is now freelancing and has moved into the corporate MC world, hosting an array of events and panels for organisations such as the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, multiple AFL and NRL clubs, and hosting charity galas 

Afterwards, we'll break for questions, networking and a chance to win tickets for the newest exhibitions opening at the NGV, and multipasses to MIFF. 

About our location

This Telling Tales event will take place at Hardie Grant, one of Australia's leading independent media and publishing groups.  

As a non-for-profit registered charity dedicated to helping women in media grow their careers, create connections, and increase their visibility in the workforce, Women in Media is grateful for Hardie Grant's support in hosting this event. 

Network with our community & support our work

 Please join us for an evening of hilarious truths and unbeatable networking. Thanks to our Women in Media funding and generous support from Hardie Grant, Pizzini Wines and the NGV, this event is FREE, but we'd love it if you bought raffle tickets to support our work.

Women in Media Australia is a non-profit, dedicated to advocating for, and promoting the visibility of, women in journalism, communications and advertising. All proceeds from our raffle go into supporting this important work. 

Prizes on the night include two tickets to each of the National Gallery of Victoria's upcoming Autumn-Winter 2025 exhibitions: Kimono and French Impressionism, and three multipasses to the Melbourne International Film Festival! 

Please register for this event and we look forward to seeing you at Hardie Grant, on Thursday 5th June 2025. 

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