BDA The Committee for Brisbane presents the Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk, in Question and Answer format, discussing the priorities for the next 12 months and beyond for greater Brisbane.

Indroducing our MC Melissa Downes

Melissa Downes is a popular media identity who's graced Queensland's television screens for the past 24 years, and is currently Channel Nine Queensland's Nine News weeknight presenter, alongside Andrew Lofthouse.

Prior to her appointment to the weeknight News desk in November 2008, Downes fronted the Nine News weekend bulletin for two years.

During her time as weeknight presenter, the well-respected journalist has covered natural disasters like Cyclone Debbie and its aftermath in 2017 and the Brisbane floods in 2011, hosting hours of rolling coverage. Melissa also covered the Royal Wedding in London in 2011.

As well as her work in television, Melissa has a strong commitment to charity. She regularly hosts fundraising events and in 2016 trekked 250 kms across the Simpson Desert to raise funds for Youngcare.

Born and raised in Brisbane, Melissa graduated from Somerville House in 1988 and completed an Arts Journalism degree at the University of Queensland soon after.





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