News might be serious for Nova’s Matt de Groot, but working with Fitzy & Wippa certainly isn’t

FROM humble beginning in community radio in Coffs Harbour, Matt de Groot hit the big time in Sydney on Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa show

Nova newsreader Matt de Groot at home in Mosman, Sydney. Pictures: Darren Leigh Roberts

• WHO: Matt de Groot, newsreader on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa radio show

• WHERE: An apartment in Mosman with fiance Bronte Coy

• FAVOURITE THING: In 2012 I had a quarter-life crisis and moved to America to be a golf caddie for my younger sister. I was a terrible caddie, but I have loved the sport ever since.

• INSPIRATION: I have a space that’s minimalist, warm, homely, neat with beige colours and beach tones

• HOME IS: It’s the place I hate to leave in the morning

MATT de Groot might have started in Coffs Harbour, but Fitzy & Wippa’s newsreader is now living large in Mosman with his fiance Bronte Coy.

“It’s a two-bed, two-bath modern apartment, with outdoor courtyard, a lift and a concierge,” he says. “I only mention those last two because it means my strata fees are more than the GDP of a small country, but I love it. Walking groceries up 15 flights of stairs is a thing of the past.”

Aside from astronomical strata fees, Matt is quite happy with his home.

“This is where I can feel truly rested, comfortable and safe,” he says. “I know it so well I can navigate from my bed to the fridge without hitting my shins, even in the dark.”

Matt got his start in community radio in Coffs Harbour, which allowed students to get a feel for the studio one afternoon a month.

Radio host Matt de Groot once caddied for his sister.

AT HOME WITH EDWARD LI

“I signed up in Year 8,” he says. “I had no idea I would fall so totally in love with radio from the moment I went on air.”

But work experience did not prepare him for working with Fitzy and Wippa.

“My favourite (prank) would be when they moved my entire apartment out one morning, and set it back up on the Manly Corso,” Matt says.

“The couch, bed, TV, Xbox, dining table — everything was there, plugged in and working. “Having a fake baby arrive at my door, having my car wrapped in cling film, and my car towed were less enjoyable.”

Aside from radio duties and dodging pranks, Matt writes a column for Yahoo7Be, appears regularly on the The Morning Show and dedicates any time he can to White Ribbon.

“I am confident all this is building to the next thing, but I am truly loving where I am at the moment,” he says.

More: nova969.com.au

RM Williams: They say once you put on a pair of RM Williams boots you will never wear another pair of shoes. They were wrong, you do. Other pairs of RMs. They are the perfect boot.

Microphone/headphones: So much of my life is spent behind a microphone. I truly do get to do what I love. The adrenaline of being behind a live mic on-air at Nova, or hosting in front of up to 100,000 people is inimitable. radio Host Matt Degroot. At home in Mosman, Sydney. Picture's Darren Leigh Roberts

Wall mount of Positano: We were going to buy a similar shot, but it was $10,000 so we did it ourselves. It’s a constant reminder of a five-week European holiday of a lifetime.

Whisky collection: No man should end any weekend without a glass of whisky. Of course, there are many nights where this doesn’t happen, but it’s a nice sentiment.

Picture of Bronte: I most love this of Brontë on the set of the film King Arthur on a work junket. For a brief moment in time she was a highly co-ordinated action movie star.

Pop’s ring: My pop’s ring is a something I cherish. He was the true patriarch of our family, and when he died I was lucky enough to have it passed down.

Nespresso machine: When Nespresso builds a machine small enough to inject directly into my veins, I will be front of the queue. Until then, this will do. Getting up at 4am every day doesn’t just happen on its own.

Mosman Monopoly: This is a Monopoly board exclusively filled with Mosman locations. I couldn’t love it more. I also can’t understand why people think we are all wankers.adio Host Matt Degroot. At home in Mosman, Sydney. Picture's Darren Leigh Roberts