In review: What Qld celebs binged, followed and loved in 2022
It’s been a big year in entertainment, from groundbreaking shows to jaw-dropping scandals. Stars of Queensland screen, radio and music have shared their top moments from 2022.
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To celebrate the end of 2022 – a year full of massive news events and a world in motion again after Covid – our Queensland A-list stars set the scene for the holidays and share a look back at the year that was.
SOPHIE DILLMAN, HOME AND AWAY ACTOR
Set the scene: How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? In the way us Aussies do best – full of friends, family, surf, sun and seafood! It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
Favourite holiday activity? I go into full relaxation mode during the festive break, so probably swimming at the beach or an afternoon nap. I usually have such a busy filming schedule with Home And Away, so when I have the opportunity to completely switch off and recharge, I take it!
Personal highlight of 2022? That’s an easy one … my holiday with Paddy (O’Connor) overseas! It was the trip of a lifetime and we had so many ‘pinch me’ moments during our travels. Seeing the famous sights of London, riding quad bikes and fishing in Greece, and eating the most delicious pizza and pasta across Italy were major highlights.
Favourite news story or newsworthy moment? Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson dating … and then splitting up! That family sure knows how to create an iconic pop culture moment.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? The Imperfects, The Resilience Project, Lost Connections, Mamamia Out Loud!
What are you looking forward to in 2023? Hopefully more travel! I got a real taste for it this year with my overseas trip and it’s only made me hungry for more. I’m keen to make it an annual goal to tick new destinations off my bucket list, so watch this space …
Goals for the New Year? Simply to be happy and find joy in everything I do. If the last few years have taught me anything, it’s all about perspective, and having a positive mental attitude can make all the difference.
ABBY COLEMAN, B105 BREAKFAST
Favourite holiday activity? Anything to do with a beach! All the boys (husband Scott and her three sons) in our house love anything to do with water … I even said I would try surfing this year! Well try! I hate having water in my eyes and hubby says surfers do not wear googles, like I wanted to.
Highlight of 2022? I have girlfriends who live all around Australia and we finally all caught up this year. Good friends feed the soul.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life? The mindset podcast by Rob Dial – my eldest (son) and I listen to it together. So many A-HA moments.
What are you looking forward to in 2023? We (builder hubby really) have been renovating our house for four years and will be finally finished in 2023!
Goals for the New Year? To go to a health retreat once a year with one of my girlfriends …. And also to finally be realistic with my goals!
MARGAUX PARKER, TRIPLE M BRISBANE BREAKFAST
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? Corey, me and the kids are excited to be spending Christmas Day in our home around the Christmas tree which is a star attraction, and hosting the entire family. We celebrate all day and all the kids love it.
Highlight of 2022? Watching my (four) kids thrive in their lives, being recognised for their academic achievements and excelling in their chosen sports. My kids and family are so important to me.
News story or newsworthy moment? When the bill was introduced into parliament that will further protect women who are experiencing coercive control. A step in the right direction for women and children who are victims and survivors of domestic violence. Hugely championed by Sue and Lloyd Clarke parents of Hannah Clarke and her 3 children who were brutally murdered on the streets of Brisbane. What a moment.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life? Working on Triple M Breakfast with Marto and Dan. I’m so incredibly fortunate to have this job, one that I love turning up to bright and early every day.
Goals for the New Year? Staying true to myself, being authentic and continuing to give my good energy to those who give it back to me. Happy festive season to everyone.
LEISEL JONES, TRIPLE M’S THE RUSH HOUR
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? Christmas is always a very low-key event for us. The day is spent at my parent’s house in Paddington and we sit on the deck eating bugs, oysters and prawns. Nothing is over the top and very little stress, just the way I like it! New year’s is very similar. When I attend a NYE event, I always want to go home and take my shoes off.
Favourite holiday activity? Playing scrabble and doing jigsaw puzzles. So nerdy and boring but I don’t get the time during the year to slow down. It makes me so happy chilling out and reading books and taking the time to do simple things.
Highlight of 2022? Starting work for Triple M on the Rush Hour with Liam and Dobbo. What a whirlwind! I said yes to the opportunity straight away and the show has grown so much in a year.
News story or newsworthy moment for 2022? Sam Moorfoot at the Geelong Football Club. He is a beautiful young man with Down syndrome and the team recognised how crucial he is to the club’s success and included him in their grand final celebrations. I’m tearing up just thinking about it.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? Last Breath on Netflix. That moved me so much. I told anyone who would listen about it. Dopesick was also another show which blew my mind.
Goals for the New Year? Like a lot of people, lose weight but my focus is prioritising my health and that will be a by-product. I want to get my body moving more consistently and enjoy the feeling of being fit again.
MATT EVANS, HOME AND AWAY ACTOR
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? With my family in Gold Coast. We will have it at my sister’s house and it will be the first time in about 5 years that the whole family will be together.
Favourite holiday activity? Going to the beach with friends and family and just relaxing and soaking up the sun. Then finish the day with a cheeky beverage at the pub.
Highlight of 2022? Attending Telethon in Perth as it was so amazing to be involved in such a great event.
News story or newsworthy moment? I guess my own personal favourite news story would be when I was nominated for a Logie because for me, personally, it was more of a note to myself to say keep going and you are continually progressing positively through life and ticking off goals.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? I’ve honestly been so busy in 2022 that I haven’t had enough spare time to spend it on books, movies etc so I would say part of my goal for 2023 would be to allow myself to have more downtime so I don’t burn out as I have done this year at points.
What are you looking forward to in 2023? 2023 is going to be an exciting year. I am very keen to share my own music with the world and it is well and truly coming.
DAMI IM, SINGER
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? For Christmas our whole family including my mother-in-law visiting from Korea to meet her grandson for the first time, will be going to church together in the morning. After that I will have everyone over at our house for lunch. I’ll be performing at the Sydney Opera House for the New Year’s Eve performance on ABC and I’m taking Harry (my 7 month-old) with me interstate for the first time with Noah my husband which I’m looking forward to!
Favourite holiday activity? Cooking, going to the beach, sitting around with friends being lazy
Highlight of 2022? So many great things have happened this year including the birth of my first baby, and also the release of my very first memoir Dreamer.
News story or newsworthy moment? Live music and concerts coming back after a few tough years have been the best thing about 2022
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life? So many great content out there but I love my podcasts. I have really enjoyed The Creative Peptalk by Andy J Pizza which has helped me through my album making when I felt stuck at times.
LEE CARSELDINE, CH 7’S WEEKENDER
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? with my family and partner (Nina) at my newly renovated house.
Favourite holiday activity? Getting back to my home … The Sunshine Coast and spending plenty of time on the beach and with family.
Highlight of 2022? My Fraser Island 24 Hour Challenge in which I trekked for 142kms on the beach with a 19kg backpack raising money and awareness for the Stroke Foundation.
News story or newsworthy moment? Russian Invasion of Ukraine and the Will Smith slap!!
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life? Movie: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (should have watched it years ago!!) Book: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza. Podcast: Rich Roll Podcast
What are you looking forward to in 2023? I have a couple of overseas trips being organised which will be heaps of fun.
Goals for the New Year? Plenty of the same that this year brought me. More family time, continue to grow my media and drone business, discover more places that I haven’t yet visited, improve my all round fitness, new crazy physical challenge.
BIANCA DYE, 90.9 SEA FM BREAKFAST
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? This Christmas it will be just mumma bear and me at Harvest at The Star Casino because mum loves a seafood buffet and I wanted to spoil her. This year I’m excited because I will be on the beach at Mt Eliza in Victoria for NYE with my bestie from age 11 who now lives in London, so it will be seafood on the BBQ and prosecco as the sun sets on 2022!
Favourite holiday activity? Turning off my iPhone for 48 hours at a time so I can actually stop for a day or two.
Highlight of 2022? A toss up between finding out one of my friends is now cancer free and in remission and winning best entertainment presenter (provincial) at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) this year … such an honour!
News story or newsworthy moment? Probably when the amazing Jennifer Aniston came out in her controversial and fabulous Allure cover in November and said that she gave herself permission to “let go” of the pressure of having to have kids – I felt her pain – I’ve lived this with her – going through IVF and many miscarriages and having to deal with very small minded humans who thought I “selfishly “chose” (gasp!) to not have kids so I could have a career. I and so many women in our situation felt seen!
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life? Binge TV; White Lotus – so so good. For so many reasons you will love it – trust me and just watch it! Song, Golden by Elska – Darren Hayes and I are huge fans. A local GC chick with insane talent,
What are you looking forward to in 2023? Saying no to stuff so I’m not always so tired and run down – meeting the love of my life (too much to ask?) and lots of roadtrips in my Combi to deserted beaches – sipping wine at sunset and reading all the books
Goals for the New Year? The podcast I have been stewing on for 3 years will finally come to life, buying my own little beach shack, finally getting a dog, and just being happy in my own skin. It ain’t always easy!
SHARYN GHIDELLA, 7NEWS ANCHOR
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? Christmas to me is all about family and this year will be no different. Our family will be getting together, getting up early and getting into the spirit of the day. There will be way too much Xmas pud and ham, but I’m hoping it will be as joyous as it normally is. I have always loved Xmas day and the festivities that surround it. Here’s hoping Santa remembers to call.
What’s your favourite holiday activity? Doing absolutely nothing. If I can just sit back, relax and read a good book by a pool with my family around me, I’ll be happy. It’s been another busy year, so the last thing I need is a busy holiday!
Personal highlight of 2022? Working with a number of charitable organisations is always one of the highlights of my year. As an ambassador for charities like the RBWH Foundation, the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation and the Kokoda Track Foundation, it never ceases to amaze me how much good these organisations do and what a difference they make to so many people’s lives.
Favourite news story or newsworthy moment? It’s not a favourite, but by far the story that had the biggest impact was the flooding in SE Queensland. That February downpour was so devastating for so many and the images of devastation and the pain it caused will remain with me forever. For days, 7NEWS captured the unfolding situation with our rolling coverage, and the rain just never seemed to let up. My heart continues to go out to those who were directly impacted, as I know many are still not back living in their own homes.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? I’ve got one thing to say to youse …. The Kath and Kim reunion. Loved seeing them so effluent after all these years. It was yuge, doll and I just learnt so much about how to live your best life while dressed in Lycra, as you endeavour to become “stanky rich”.
What are you looking forward to in 2023? Leading a quieter life with hopefully no flooding, no Covid and less interest rate and inflationary pressures. Wouldn’t that be nice. Finding more time to do the things I really love doing would also be a bonus.
Goals for the New Year? Slow down a bit, stop to smell the roses. or at least look at them more. Ideally, I’d like to maximise my time with my family while those boys of mine are still young enough to want to be around me, ha!
MAX FUTCHER, 7NEWS ANCHOR
How will you be spending Christmas and New Year? Christmas Day will be with family, while New Year’s Eve will likely be another round of Lip Synch battles.
Highlight of 2022? My 13-year-old daughter completed her Surf Rescue Certificate, making her a qualified lifesaver. Seeing her dressed in a yellow and red uniform, patrolling the flags has made us very proud parents.
Newsworthy moment? It’s been another massive year of news, locally the Brisbane floods dominated the start of the year, while global news was dominated by the war in Ukraine and death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Movie of 2022? It didn’t change my life, but my wife and I went on a date night to see Top Gun Maverick. It was silly and corny, with terrible acting and laughable dialogue, but it was so much fun and we loved every minute!
What are you looking forward to in 2023? Watching Donald Trump simultaneously fight off several legal battles while running for Republican Presidential nominee.
Goals for the New Year? More surfing. Less stressing.
TONY AUDEN – 7NEWS METEOROLOGIST
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? I’ll be heading down to Adelaide to spend Christmas with the in-laws. No surprises that it’ll involve plenty of food and a lot of family time. We’ll head home after Christmas and probably have a quiet New Years with one or two friends at home, before some travel in early January.
Personal highlight of 2022? I’ll be greedy and claim two. Firstly, we welcomed Petey our pug puppy into the family. He brings such a positive energy and is the most loving little creature. The other highlight was heading out sailing our own boat in the Whitsundays for my 40th celebrations. It was my first time sailing a boat myself, and we had a great crew of friends exploring a beautiful part of Queensland!
News story or newsworthy moment? This is definitely not my favourite, but for sheer scale and importance, it’s hard to go past the Brisbane and Southeast Queensland flooding at the start of the year. A huge challenge to forecast and communicate with so much going on, but among the mayhem, it’s always a highlight to see just how well my 7NEWS workmates get the job done in challenging conditions.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? For me it would have to be “Kristina’s Travels” on YouTube. I had to do a lot of preparation and learning before our Whitsundays boat trip, and watching this series, where ex-journalist Kristina Costalos sells up her life to live on and sail on a boat, both got me inspired for the trip, and also helped teach me a few valuable lessons about sailing. They go on some great adventures in beautiful places, and I’m now trying to pencil in a trip to the Greek Islands for my 50th!
What are you looking forward to in 2023? Getting out and seeing more of Queensland! We recently purchased a second hand 4 Wheel Drive and are looking forward to getting out to Fraser Island (K’gari) and Moreton Island in the first half of the year, and hopefully a few more spots later on. While we can travel overseas again, we’re keen to explore a few of these great places a little closer to home.
Goals for the New Year? This is a rollover from 2022 – which failed miserably. I’m a keen golfer, and trying to get my handicap below 5, even just briefly. The problem is, the more I practice – the worse I get!
KIMBERLEY BUSTEED, CREEK TO COAST & WEEKENDER
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? Think Griswold’s Christmas – RV style. We’ve been so lucky to get our hands on a caravan thanks to our great mates Dale and Nat from Talkalvans in Bundy, and the whole family is heading overseas – well over Bass Strait – to take over Tasmania … including my parents and sister and brother in law. It’s going to go one of two ways …
What’s your favourite holiday activity? Generally our favourite holidays involve water of some sort, a swimming pool, fresh water lake or ocean and sun on my freckly nose.
Personal highlight of 2022? There were so many heart aches this year, so many loved ones lost, so many moving parts and what felt like never ending demands on all parts of our being … so my personal highlight, is getting through this last 12 months as a family, stronger, wiser, clearer and more appreciative of my strength, and the love and strength of those around me.
Favourite news story or newsworthy moment? Ash Barty winning the Aus Open.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? None that have changed my life, but one that stopped me in my tracks was Blackbird – the Apple TV Series.
What are you looking forward to in 2023? More focused time on our agricultural business and delving deeper to help spread truths and information about the important role agriculture holds in our society. I’m also working on doing my best to enjoy our babies while they’re little. It can be a lot, parenting little children, so I’m constantly working on evolving to be the best version of me I can be, to give them a wonderful, well rounded start to life.
Goals for the New Year? Just one. and that’s to do something active on New Year’s Day. We don’t really celebrate New Year’s Eve. We’re generally in bed by 9 o’clock, but what we do as a family, is get up to see the sun rise on the first day of the year – and get out and about to explore. This year we’ll be waking up on the east coast of Tassie – and with the three little ones in tow, it’s sure to be a day full of wonderful surprises.
MATTY ACTON, B105 BREAKFAST
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? For the first time in a long time we will be home for the entire Xmas/New year period. We are hosting this year and will have the whole family at our place. I have a new nephew in the family so it will be very exciting to spend his first Xmas with him.
What’s your favourite holiday activity? I love the beach! We’re getting away to Woodgate for a little bit in the new year. It’s so sleepy there and my phone doesn’t get reception so it’s a great chance to reset. The kids love to go fishing and swim. We never catch anything but it’s still fun
Personal highlight of 2022? Hands down the 50km walk for the Top Blokes Foundation walking from the city to Ipswich. It was the most challenging I’ve ever done but to see Brisbane dig deep and donate $80 000 was incredible.
Favourite news story or newsworthy moment? Anything that wasn’t Covid related and QLD winning State of Origin
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? Nothing that has changed my life but I’m very happy Yellowstone is back
What are you looking forward to in 2023? We have a lot of celebrations next year in our family, A wedding, 21st birthday and 40th so looking forward to the parties
Goals for the New Year? Do less …
DANNY LAKEY, 90.9 SEA FM BREAKFAST
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? I’ll be backpacking through South East Asia so I’d assume I’ll be at a backpackers somewhere in Thailand for Christmas and then hopefully on a beach somewhere for New Year’s Eve. I don’t drink alcohol anymore but it’s a great time of year to reflect and reset any goals and intentions for 2023.
What’s your favourite holiday activity? Laying in the sun, travelling overseas, meeting new people and chalking up some new awesome experiences.
Personal highlight of 2022? Moving back to the Gold Coast. I’m in love with my apartment in Broadbeach and am so happy to be back on the coast, finishing work early and enjoying the Gold Coast lifestyle.
Favourite news story or newsworthy moment? “World’s Dirtiest Man passes away months after taking first shower in 60 years”
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? Rufus Du Sol – Always the song has been out for a few years but I finally got to see it performed live. So good to have live music back.
What are you looking forward to in 2023? More live music, overseas travel and Footy Season. I’m predicting the Suns to make it to the finals for the first time in club history.
Goals for the New Year? Hopefully getting my sobriety podcast up and running and getting new material for my stand up comedy.
SPIDA EVERITT, AFL LEGEND AND TRIPLE M GOLD COAST
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? This year we are off to Queenstown NZ just before Christmas as between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day I help milk a herd of 400 cows.
What’s your favourite holiday activity? It has to be the Waihi Beach sandcastle building contest on New Year’s Day. Never won it but ours has made it into the local paper.
Personal highlight of 2022? Outside of flying without a mask it has to be the birth of my first granddaughter Remy. So cute
Favourite news story or newsworthy moment? Trump making a comeback so politics is exciting again and the Olympic long distance French skier who while racing got a frozen old fella, “yuk”
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? It’s an app and it’s Cookidoo. Cooking with the thermo mix. I’m now a chef and I’ve changed. I only can only talk to those with one or you don’t understand.
What are you looking forward to in 2023? My wife is living in Melbourne and I’m living on the Gold Coast in 2023. That can’t be beaten by anyone and I’m sorry but living the dream.
SCOTT HILLIER, CREEK TO COAST
How you will be spending Christmas and New Year’s? With both of my boys having Xmas with their partners families this year it will be a quiet one at the Hillier’s House, but they all return Boxing Day with partners, so I’m expecting New Year’s Eve to be a big one.
What’s your favourite holiday activity? (when I’m not fishing) it would be getting up early to climb Mt Coolum with the Wife, then hit our local beach at Marcoola for a swim with our little Cavoodle “Gabby”.
Personal highlight of 2022? There’s been plenty!!! seeing both my boys build great careers and travelling to NZ with my wife mid-year.
Favourite news story or newsworthy moment? The announcement of Bonza airlines, basing itself on the Sunshine Coast so we will be able to fly to most regional towns north and south from the Coast.
TV show, movie, song, book or podcast that changed your life in 2022? Not Sure about changed my life but really enjoyed a few True Crime Podcasts …
What are you looking forward to in 2023? In 2023 I’m really looking forward to seeing my eldest son Ben get married up in Townsville
Goals for the New Year? We have a big year planned for Creek to Coast – Fishing, Caravanning, Boating, Camping, four-wheel-driving and everything in between.
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