Brief Introduction of Brooke Boney
Brooke Kathleen Boney is a distinguished Australian journalist and television presenter, celebrated for her significant contributions to the Australian media landscape. A proud Gamilaroi woman, she has become one of the most recognisable faces in Australian broadcasting, known for her roles as a news and entertainment presenter on the Nine Network’s breakfast program, Today, and as a former newsreader on the ABC’s youth radio network, Triple J. Boney has carved out a remarkable career, transitioning from political journalism to entertainment reporting, all while being a passionate and articulate advocate for Indigenous representation and issues. Her work has not only broken new ground for Aboriginal people in commercial television but has also sparked important national conversations, establishing her as a pivotal voice in contemporary Australian culture and media. In 2024, she embarked on a new chapter, commencing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford as a Charlie Perkins Chevening scholar.
Brooke Boney Overview
| Full Name | Brooke Kathleen Boney |
| Date of Birth | 1987 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 38 |
| Birthplace | Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia |
| Profession | Journalist, Television Presenter |
| Husband/Wife | Divorced; was previously married at age 26. |
| Family | Mother (Leone Boney), five younger siblings. |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Estimated at around $2 million, though not officially confirmed. |
Early Life and Education of Brooke Boney
Brooke Boney was born in 1987 in Muswellbrook, a town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. She is a proud Gamilaroi woman and is the eldest of six children, raised by her mother. Growing up in a family that didn’t have a lot of money, she learned the values of hard work and saving from a young age. Her interest in media sparked early; while still in high school, she began volunteering at a local community radio station, getting her first taste of the industry that would become her career. After finishing school, Boney secured an advertising cadetship at the Australian Financial Review, a significant step that provided foundational experience in the media world. However, her passion lay in journalism, and she decided to pursue higher education. As a mature-age student, Boney enrolled at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she undertook a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, majoring in Journalism. She was a dedicated student, balancing her studies with practical experience. During her time at university, she produced the Blackchat program on Sydney’s Koori Radio in the mornings and completed an internship with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in the afternoons. Boney graduated from UTS in 2014, equipped with the skills and experiences that would launch her into a dynamic and influential career.
Brooke Boney’s Career
Brooke Boney’s career is a testament to her versatility and dedication, spanning radio, television, and print, with a notable trajectory from political journalism to a prominent role in breakfast television. Her professional journey began even before she graduated from university. In 2013, she was appointed as a political correspondent for National Indigenous Television (NITV), based in the highly demanding environment of Parliament House in Canberra. She was thrown into the deep end, with her first major assignments covering the 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership spill and the subsequent federal election.
In 2016, Boney transitioned to radio, joining the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as a newsreader for the popular youth network Triple J. It was here that she became a fan favourite, particularly on the breakfast show. She gained widespread recognition and respect for incorporating her Gamilaroi heritage into her broadcasts by greeting listeners with “Yaama,” the word for “hello” in her ancestral language. This simple yet powerful act was a significant moment for Indigenous language visibility in mainstream Australian media.
A major turning point in her career came in December 2018, when it was announced that Boney would be joining the Nine Network’s breakfast program, Today, as an entertainment reporter. This move made her the first Indigenous person to hold a major role on a commercial breakfast television show in Australia, a significant milestone for media diversity. She initially worked alongside veteran entertainment editor Richard Wilkins. In January 2023, her role expanded when she was promoted to news and entertainment presenter on the show. Throughout her time at Today, Boney interviewed some of the biggest names in entertainment and covered major international events, including the Oscars and the death of Kobe Bryant.
Beyond her main roles, Boney has engaged in numerous other media projects. She co-hosted the popular podcast The Dream Club with her friend Linda Marigliano, is a columnist for Sunday Life, and has hosted and presented at the ARIA Awards. In 2021, she won the Lego Masters: Bricksmas special, and in 2022, she co-hosted the iconic Carols by Candlelight with David Campbell. In March 2024, Boney announced her departure from the Nine Network to pursue a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford. Her final major role for the network was as part of the commentary team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She has also authored a collection of essays titled All of It: Notes on public life, private joy and everything in between, released in 2025.
Brooke Boney Personal Life & Family
Brooke Boney’s personal life is deeply connected to her identity as a proud Gamilaroi woman. She grew up in Muswellbrook, New South Wales, the eldest of six children raised by a single mother, Leone. Her family remains a central part of her life. Boney has been open about the challenges faced by her community, often linking them to broader discussions about Indigenous affairs in Australia. In 2025, Boney revealed on a podcast that she had been married in her mid-twenties. She married her partner of seven years when she was 26, but the couple later divorced. Boney described her ex-husband as a “beautiful” and “lovely” man, reflecting that she may not have been mature enough at the time to navigate the challenges of a long-term relationship. She does not regret the experience, viewing it as a valuable life lesson. She is not known to be in a public relationship currently. Boney has also spoken candidly about her personal choices regarding family planning, including her decision to freeze her eggs. This act, she explained, provided her with a sense of control and “peace of mind” about her future, reducing the pressure to settle down. She is also an advocate for positive body image, discussing her own journey of self-acceptance, particularly after becoming an aunt and wanting to be a positive role model for her nieces.
Awards and Achievements of Brooke Boney
- Won the Nine Network’s Lego Masters: Bricksmas special in November 2021.
- Co-hosted the prestigious Carols by Candlelight event with David Campbell in December 2022.
- Hosted and presented at the ARIA Awards Nominations and the official Awards ceremony.
- Selected as a Charlie Perkins Chevening scholar to study a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford in 2024.
- A portrait of Boney and her pug Jimmy, painted by Laura Jones, was a finalist for the 2022 Archibald Prize.
Brooke Boney Net Worth and Income
While the exact net worth of Brooke Boney is not publicly available, some online sources estimate it to be around $2 million as of 2024. This figure has not been officially confirmed by Boney or her representatives. Her income has been derived from a successful and multifaceted career in the Australian media industry. Her primary sources of income have included her salary as a prominent journalist and television presenter for major networks like the ABC and the Nine Network. Additionally, Boney earns income through various other professional engagements. She is a sought-after MC, moderator, panellist, and keynote speaker for corporate and philanthropic events. She has also generated income as a columnist for publications such as Sunday Life and through her podcasting work. The release of her book, All of It, in 2025 is another source of income. Her financial philosophy is rooted in her upbringing; having grown up without a lot of money, she is cautious with her spending and prioritizes saving.
Legacy and Influence
Brooke Boney’s legacy is defined by her trailblazing role as an Indigenous woman in mainstream Australian media and her unwavering commitment to advocacy. As the first Aboriginal person in a major role on commercial breakfast television, she has broken significant barriers and created greater visibility for Indigenous Australians in a space where they have been historically underrepresented. One of her most notable acts of influence was popularising the Gamilaroi greeting “Yaama” on Triple J’s national breakfast show, introducing an Indigenous language to a wide, youthful audience and fostering a sense of pride and normalisation around it. Boney uses her platform to ignite important national conversations about Indigenous affairs, racism, and Australian identity. She is a passionate spokesperson and ambassador for the GO Foundation, an organisation founded by Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin that focuses on providing educational opportunities for Indigenous youth. She is also a board member of the Sydney Theatre Company and a member of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. Through her work, she aims to challenge negative stereotypes and inspire the next generation of Indigenous leaders, showing them that they too can achieve success in any field they choose.
Interesting Facts about Brooke Boney
- She began her media career by volunteering at a community radio station while still in high school.
- Before becoming a journalist, she worked in an advertising cadetship at the Australian Financial Review.
- While at university, she produced a show called Blackchat for Sydney’s Koori Radio.
- She co-hosted a popular podcast called The Dream Club with her friend and fellow broadcaster, Linda Marigliano.
- A portrait of Boney with her pet pug, Jimmy, was a finalist in the 2022 Archibald Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious art awards.
- She is a published author, having written a collection of essays titled All of It: Notes on public life, private joy and everything in between.
Controversies
In January 2019, just days into her new role on the Today show, Brooke Boney was asked for her opinion on the “Change the Date” campaign, which advocates for moving Australia Day from January 26. She gave a powerful and personal response, stating that while she believes Australia is the “best country in the world,” she cannot separate the date from the negative impact of colonisation on her people. She highlighted the stark disadvantages faced by Indigenous Australians, referencing higher rates of incarceration and violence. Her emotional and forthright comments sparked a significant national conversation, prompting both a harsh backlash from some viewers and widespread support and commentary across the media. The moment was a defining one early in her commercial television career, establishing her as a courageous voice willing to address difficult truths.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Brooke Boney
Brooke Boney continues to be a dynamic and influential figure in Australian public life. Having stepped away from her role at the Today show in 2024, she has embarked on an exciting new path of academic and personal growth, studying for a Master of Public Policy at the prestigious University of Oxford. This move reflects her desire to deepen her understanding of policy and its impact, particularly on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. With the release of her debut book, All of It, she has further solidified her position as a thoughtful and compelling storyteller, sharing her personal experiences with a wider audience. Boney’s journey from a small town in New South Wales to the forefront of national media and now the halls of Oxford is a powerful narrative of ambition, resilience, and a deep-seated commitment to creating positive change. Her future plans involve working in policy to bridge the gap between media, communication, and agenda-setting for the betterment of her community upon her return to Australia.
