Ruby inspired by opportunity

BY CARLI WILLIS

2022 year 12 graduate

Ruby Ketchell took an opportunity to work at her local Indigenous radio station four months ago, never dreaming it would land her in Brisbane covering the FIFA Women’s World Cup last month.

She did it by earning herself a spot with the ABC’s International Development program, aimed at bringing together First Nations Australian women with women from the Indo Pacific and Asia Pacific to learn mobile journalism.

The successful applicants were flown to Brisbane to cover the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“I think it was kind of easier for a lot of us being women of colour because everyone kind of just got along straightaway,” she said.

“Everyone realised how similar we all were, and the similar traditions we had, and it was easier to connect like that.

“We have a fun little joke, because there’s so many of us everywhere, we have so many new holiday destinations to go to now.”

Back at her home station, Bumma Bippera Media in Cairns, she said she would continue to host the Torres Strait Hour on Thursdays from 1-2pm, which was also broadcast over the National Indigenous Radio Service.

Every other day she ran an easy listening