How Darwin made Ch 9 star Ally Langdon’s career
Ally Langdon in the coveted A Current Affair seat. Photo courtesy of Channel 9.
She’s beamed into thousands of Australian lounge-rooms nightly.
As one of the most high-profile and likeable media personalities in the country today, Ally Langdon has a warmth that sets her apart as a journalist and presenter.
It’s an edge that has catapulted her from roving Channel 9 reporter into the chair of arguably the most high-profile broadcasting gig in Australia …replacing Tracy Grimshaw as host of A Current Affair (ACA) earlier this year.
But there is something about Ally that many people would not know.
And that is that she got her career break in the Northern Territory.
In fact, Darwin is where she learnt her craft as a cadet reporter in the old Channel Nine newsroom back in 2002.
And it is Darwin that still holds a special place in her heart today.
So when Ally was asked if she would host the NT Starlight Foundation’s annual Starball at the Convention Centre next month, she jumped at the opportunity.
"I just love Darwin. My best mates today are the ones I made in Darwin," Ally tells Her Territory.
Ally with friends in the Northern Territory
"I didn't know anyone when I moved there. I remember getting a late night flight into Darwin when I moved up. I put my suitcases in a car and drove straight to the Channel 9 Christmas party.
"It was late and of course everyone was off their trolleys. (One of the Nine newsroom bosses) said to me 'Darwin is always f-kn hot Langdon, and if you don't whinge about the weather you'll have a great f-kn time'.
"I never whinged once.”
Ally was in her early 20s and producing the news in the Sydney newsroom when she asked her boss if she could take on a post as a junior reporter that had come up in Darwin.
She was seeking more on-the-road experience and saw the Top End as the opportunity to learn the ropes of journalism.
"My boss at the time said 'Ally you'll be moving to a location where you will be on a junior wage and pretty much a cadet reporter'. I said 'I don't care'.
"I am a country girl at heart and I wanted to get out of Sydney at that time.
"Darwin was just an incredible place to be a young journalist. The stories there are .. wild.
Ally and good friend Beth Maley
“You just never knew if you're going to be on the steps of Parliament House one day, or out bush talking to a local with a crazy yarn, or doing a crocodile story the next.
"I honestly feel Darwin is the place where I learnt to be a journalist. I learnt to trust my own instincts in following up a story lead".
It was ultimately those instincts that got Ally noticed by the bosses in Sydney after the tenacious reporter scored a national scoop in the outback.
A 65-year-old NSW woman had been missing in the Kimberley region and Ally had been sent to cover the national story.
“People had been searching for her for days .. she’d been given up for dead and all hope had been lost.
“I remember we were sitting at the camp one night, and we saw this woman just walk in and right up to us.
“It was the missing camper … and we just happened to be there and caught that moment.
“Sydney saw the piece that we ended up putting to air and they said ‘let’s get Ally back’.”
From there, Ally’s standing in the Sydney newsroom soared, and she quickly scored a coveted 60 Minutes gig.
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As mum of two children, Mack, 6, and Scout, 4, Ally has often spoken about the perennial career/motherhood balance – something she has been able to navigate with the help of husband of 15 years, Mike Willesee Jr.
Mack was just 2 weeks old when Ally returned from maternity leave to 60 Minutes, and similarly daughter Scout spent much of her early life on the road with her mum filming stories.
Ally with Mack and Scout.
“I am blessed to be able to make it work in this work environment – but I am also very lucky to have a husband who shares the load with me 50-50.
“We find the balance – there are times where he picks up more of the workload at home, but then there are times when I am doing that.
“Of course mum-guilt still rears its head.
“There’d be times (on the road with 60 Minutes) where I’d leave Mack, who was just a toddler back then, to go on the road with his baby sister - sometimes for up to two weeks.
“In addition to giving so much to work, you are also trying to give as much to your home life. Ultimately, there is nothing left in the tank for yourself.
“I remember saying to Mike at the time ‘I don’t think I can do this anymore.’
“The timing seemed to work well … because then The Today Show came along.”
Ally, husband Michael and son Mack.
On the set of the Today Show, which she hosted with Karl Stefanovic for three years until 2023.
Ally’s star continued to rise after taking over as co-host with Karl Stefanovic on the Today Show in 2020.
Already a well respected journalist, the role gave her gravitas as a live TV interviewer and saw her challenge powerful figures including an infamous clash with former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett.
It was the job that ultimately set her up to take over the reins from Grimshaw on ACA this year.
But it was also a job that had its own demands on Ally and her young family.
“I just loved the Today Show. It was such a wonderful 3 years.
“But it really took me out of the morning routine with the kids … I was up and out the door at 3.30am most mornings.
“The afternoons were then spent on phone calls in preparation for the next morning while trying to watch the evening news and get dinner sorted.
“I was always distracted.
“With ACA I feel like it is that perfect blend between 60 Minutes and the Today Show.
“I get the mornings with the kids now. It is uninterrupted time to get them up, get them ready for school and day care and then drop them off.
“I don’t know if we ever get that balance right, but we do what we can at that time in our lives – and hope the wheels don’t fall off.”
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Ally said returning to Darwin next month with her children would give her kids a snippet of life in laid-back tropical Darwin.
“I feel so privileged to be able to put my name to such a wonderful cause such as a the Starlight Foundation – and it is a double bonus because my kids get to experience a bit of Darwin too.
“I can’t wait to show them a little of tropical living – and will definitely be down at the Waterfront enjoying a swim in the Dry Season weather!”
The 2023 Paspaley Darwin Ball will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre on May 12. Tickets are available at Darwin (starball.com.au) .
Ally with daughter Scout.
The family on holidays in 2021.