Monica Attard

Background

Attard was born in Sydney, where she was educated at Bethlehem College.

Education

She attended the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts.

Career

Attard"s career in journalism began at Channel Seven, where she was a reporter from 1977–1981. From 1981-1982, she worked for 2WS Radio and at 2GB Radio from 1982-1983. In 1983, Attard moved to the American Broadcasting Company, where she has remained since.

Attard worked on American Broadcasting Company Radio News from 1983-1985 and reporter on American Broadcasting Company Radio programs "The World Today" and "Prime Minister" from 1985-1988.

She was a researcher for television programs "Four Corners" from 1988-1999 and a reporter for "Lateline" from 1989-1990. Attard was Russian Correspondent for American Broadcasting Company Radio and television from 1990-1994.

Attard published a book entitled Russia: Which Way Paradise? in 1997, which documented some of her experiences and interactions with Russians during a period of rapid change. Attard returned to "The World Today" from 1997-1999 and to "Prime Minister" from 1994-1997.

During 2001-2003 and 2005-2006, Attard was the national presenter on "Sunday Profile" on American Broadcasting Company Local Radio.

This was given for a series of interviews entitled On The Brink, which aimed to examine the lives of several prominent people who had been experiencing some kind of upheaval in their lives. She interviewed NSW magistrate Pat O"Shane, former HIH Insurance director Rodney Adler and Douglas Wood, a former hostage in Iraq. Her interview with Rodney Adler was a scoop and she received particular praise from the Walkley judges.

On 6 December 2005, Attard was announced as the new host of the American Broadcasting Company television program Media Watch for 2006.

She hosted Media Watch for two years, until announcing her retirement at the end of the 2007 series, citing the "extremely taxing" nature of making the program as well as radio presenting commitments. Attard also worked as a lawyer for Coudert Bros in Moscow from 2003-2004.

Achievements

• Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1992 for services to the community as a radio correspondent while working in Russia. Walkley Award for Bcast Interviewing for "on the Brink" 2005 Walkley Award for Bcast Interviewing for "Kernot, Beazley and The Bishop" 2002 Gold Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism 1991 Walkley Award for Best International Report (all Media) and Best Coverage of a Current Story (Radio) 1991.