Lisa Wilkinson celebrated 10 years on Today in her hometown of Campbelltown
CAMPBELLTOWN’S own Lisa Wilkinson returned to her hometown to celebrate 10 years at the helm of one of breakfast TVs biggest programs with a live broadcast from Macarthur Square this morning.
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CAMPBELLTOWN’S own Lisa Wilkinson returned to her hometown to celebrate 10 years at the helm of one of breakfast TVs biggest programs with a live broadcast from Macarthur Square this morning.
Joined by co-host Karl Stefanovic, Wilkinson presented the Today show from Kellicar Lane surrounded by hundreds of adoring fans throughout the morning.
Wilkinson was born in Wollongong but grew up in Campbelltown where she attended Campbelltown High School, now Campbelltown Performing Arts.
The TV personality and former magazine editor said she had fond memories of the area where her family had strong roots.
“I was at school back when the only high schools in the area were Campbelltown High, Ingleburn High and Camden High,” she said.
“I have family planted in this area. The Wilkinson family goes back to the 1860s. Wilkinson St in Camden is named after an ancestor.
“My childhood homes on Sturt and Lindesay streets in Campbelltown are still intact and I still have fond memories of them.”
The Wilkinson name is also attached to the Campbelltown Showground, the home of Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Club where her late father Ray was president and has a stand named in his honour.
Wilkinson recalled spending her Thursday evenings and Saturdays at Wrench’s Shoe Store in Campbelltown’s Queen St where she worked during her late high school years.
“Since the announcement that we’re broadcasting in Campbelltown I’ve had a lot of people I haven’t heard from in a long time get in contact,” she said.
“I noticed an e-mail from a man named Craig Bagley; Bagley’s Newsagency was right next door to Wrench’s and Craig said we’d met when we were kids.
“Bagley’s is where I used to go every month to buy the next issue of Dolly magazine. It’s where my love of Dolly came from.”
Wilkinson joined Dolly as a receptionist at 19 and went on to become the youngest editor of the magazine in its history at age 21.
She has often spoken out about the bullying she received during her high school years and sent a message to any young person suffering similar treatment.
“Don’t suffer alone, seek help with the people in your life and get on social media and go find other people who will support you,” she said.
“It will pass and I think what it taught me was resilience.
“I decided it was up to me to decide what my life looked like and that resilience took me far.”
As part of the broadcast this morning, Wilkinson announced the opportunity for aspiring young journalists or media professionals to spend a week’s work experience on the Today show.
More details are available here.
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