Feature Week 32: Media focus
Jo Palmer
We are privileged to have the support of many ambassadors from across the full spectrum of media operations. In week 32 of the National Year of Reading, we welcome two Tasmanian ambassadors who represent the media, ABC Radio's Elaine Harris and Jo Palmer from Southern Cross TV.
About Jo
Jo Palmer has been the evening news presenter on Southern Cross TV in Tasmania for 15 years. Recognised for her work in the community and for a number of charities, Jo is a past recipient of the Tasmanian of the Year award. In addition to her National Year of Reading ambassador role, Jo is an ambassador for the Tasmanian Clown Doctors.
Jo's thoughts on reading and the National Year of Reading
Reading has impacted every single part of my life. My career is totally centred around reading the written word. Treasured family memories are all centred around time spent reading with my parents. Every night, snuggled up in bed with my own children, books cover the bed as little eyes close for the night.
From the saddest times in my life where a book has taken me away into another world, to books of encouragement and hope which have changed an attitude or even a situation. The joy of reading is a gift we can all give regardless of who we are or what we do.
Jo's reading habits
- Are you a constant reader or are there times when you don't read at all? At the moment with little children, time for reading is a luxury. And more often than not, I fall asleep with a book.
- Which book is by your bedside right now?
'The little coffee shop of Kabul' by Deborah Rodriguez.
A beautiful little read about an American woman who sets up a coffee shop in the middle of Kabul.
- What's your perfect holiday read? Lots of news papers make for perfect holiday reading. Local papers in other states always offer a fascinating insight into a region you may be holidaying in.
- What was the last/first e-book you downloaded? I have never downloaded a book, in fact I wouldn't even know how to. Call me old fashioned but the feel of the pages in your fingers and the turned over page tops is all part of the experience of reading.
- Did you like to read as a child? Reading played a huge roll in my childhood. I was one of those kids who would be trying to wash up the dishes at the kitchen sink with a book in one hand turning pages with my nose. Hours were spent lying in bed when the light was meant to be turned off for the night but I had to read just one more page.
- Do you have a favourite book from your childhood?
Any book written by Enid Blyton. 'The wishing chair' was a most favourite. She wrote stories that swept you up into a fantasy world of animals that could speak and where good always triumphed over evil.
- Estimate the number of books you own. Our home is full of books, although I must say a good 70% of those books are for the children.
- Where do you read?
The most precious time of every day is when I put my two little boys to bed and we sit and read. Every night they can chose a book each and then I read them a little Bible story. Everything is peaceful and they giggle under the covers as I attempt to make funny voices. Their favourite book at the moment is 'Just like my Dad' written by David Melling. I must have read it hundreds of times but they still can't get enough.
- Do you remember learning to read?
It's hard to remember a time when reading was not part of my life. My Dad and Mum always read to us from the Bible making century old stories come alive in our living room.
- Was your family a reading family? My mum has always been a reader. As a little girl I can remember there was always a pile of books beside her bed, big thick books with tiny writing and I do remember thinking how hard it must be to read a book with no pictures. My dad had MS so his hands were not able to turn the pages so he always listened to books recorded onto cassette tapes. We would get them for him from the library and they were such a blessing to him.
Jo's favourite reads
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'The Bible', Good News Version
My father's most treasured book. He would always read to my brother and me and it was always a very special time of the kids and dad curled up in his arm chair. I didn't always understand the words he was reading but listening to his voice is a treasured childhood memory.
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'The pillars of the earth' by Ken Follett
A brilliant book that gave me my very first glimpse into how life was lived centuries ago.
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'The lion, the witch and the wardrobe', C.S. Lewis.
We read the series of C.S. Lewis books as teenagers and then when my eldest son was born, my brother gave Henry a copy of this book to him as a christening gift. I hope one day this magical book will be read to my grandchildren.
Want to know more?
- Take a look at our other featured ambassador this week, Elaine Harris:
- If you want to see the other National Year of Reading ambassadors, go to our ambassadors page.
- Other featured ambassadors can be found on the ambassador feature week listing.
