Melissa Downes is a well-known Australian news presenter and journalist. Born on September 17, 1973, (Age: 52 years old) in Brisbane, Queensland.
Melissa is best known for being the face of Nine News First Queensland, where she has delivered the evening news to thousands of viewers for over a decade.
She became popular for her calm and professional reporting, especially during major events like the Brisbane floods, Cyclone Debbie, and the Royal Wedding in London.
Let’s keep on reading Melissa Downes’s Biography to learn more about her, husband, family, education, career, achievements, net worth, height, weight, facts, and more.
Melissa Downes Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Melissa Downes |
| Profession | Broadcast Journalist, News Presenter |
| Age | 52 years old |
| Date of Birth | September 17, 1973 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Birthplace | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Current Address | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
Melissa Downes Husband & Children
Melissa Downes is happily married to D-J Wendt, who is the owner and manager of the internationally known music group, The Ten Tenors. The couple first met during their teenage years through a mutual interest in volleyball and eventually began dating. They got married in October 1997.
Together, Melissa and D-J have two daughters. Their first daughter, Dee Dee, was born around 2009. Their second daughter, Anja, was born approximately in 2012.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | D-J Wendt |
| Children | Daughter: Dee Dee, Anja |
Melissa Downes Family
Melissa Downes was born and raised in Brisbane, Queensland, in the suburb of Morningside. She has fond memories of her childhood home and continues to visit the area with her children.
Her father, Trevor Downes, has a deep interest in their family’s history. He created sketches of their ancestral home at 126 Annie Street, New Farm [1], one of Brisbane’s oldest residences, which was built around 1865 by their ancestors.
Information about Melissa’s mother and any siblings is yet to be updated.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Yet to be updated Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Yet to be updated |
Melissa Downes Education
Melissa Downes completed her schooling at Somerville House, a well-regarded private girls’ school located in South Brisbane. She graduated from there in 1988, and the school played an important role in shaping her early interests and discipline.
After high school, Melissa pursued higher education at the University of Queensland, one of Australia’s leading universities. There, she studied Arts with a major in Journalism, earning a Bachelor’s Degree.
| School | Somerville House |
| Alma Mater | University of Queensland |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor of Arts in Journalism |
Melissa Downes Career
Melissa Downes started working with Seven News Brisbane in the 1990s. At Seven, she worked as a reporter and fill-in presenter, where she gained valuable experience covering general news and live stories. These early years helped shape her storytelling skills and on-screen presence.
Joining Nine News (2001 – Present)
In 2001, Melissa made a key move in her career by joining Nine News Brisbane. Her initial role was that of a reporter, and she gradually transitioned into a weekend news presenter.
Breakthrough as Weeknight News Presenter (2008)
Melissa’s big breakthrough came in November 2008, when she was promoted to weeknight presenter on Nine News Queensland [2].
She initially co-anchored with veteran journalist Bruce Paige and later teamed up with Andrew Lofthouse in 2009.
Melissa has covered major national and international stories during this time, including:
- Brisbane Floods (2011 & 2022)
- Cyclone Debbie
- The Royal Wedding (2011, London)
Expanding into Podcasting (2023)
In 2023, Melissa took on a new role behind the mic as the co-producer of the podcast “Hannah’s Story” [3]. The podcast explored the heartbreaking case of Hannah Clarke and her three children, who were victims of domestic violence.
Present Day
After her long-time co-anchor, Andrew Lofthouse, retired [4] in January 2025, Melissa continued to anchor the 6 PM Nine News Queensland bulletin solo. With over two decades in the industry, she remains a respected and trusted journalist known for her integrity, warmth, and journalistic excellence.
| Year | Role | Network/Project |
| 1990s | Reporter & Fill-in Presenter | Seven News Brisbane |
| 2001 | Reporter | Nine News Brisbane |
| 2003 | Weekend News Presenter | Nine News Brisbane |
| 2008 | Weeknight News Presenter (co-anchor with Bruce Paige) | Nine News Queensland |
| 2009 | Weeknight News Presenter (co-anchor with Andrew Lofthouse) | Nine News Queensland |
| 2011 | Covered Royal Wedding (London) | Nine News |
| 2011 | Covered Brisbane Floods | Nine News |
| 2022 | Covered Brisbane Floods (again) | Nine News |
| 2023 | Co-producer of “Hannah’s Story” podcast | Nine News / Podcast |
| 2023 | Podcast wins Kennedy Award | Kennedy Awards |
| 2025 | Solo 6 PM News Presenter after Lofthouse’s retirement | Nine News Queensland |
Awards & Recognitions
Over the years, Melissa Downes has not only built a strong presence on television but has also gained critical acclaim in the podcasting world. Her most notable work, Hannah’s Story, received several national and international awards for its powerful storytelling and social impact.
These awards reflect Melissa’s dedication to journalism and her ability to connect with audiences on deep, emotional topics.
| Year | Award |
| 2023 | Kennedy Award – Outstanding Podcast [5] |
| 2023 | Australian Podcast Spotlight Award |
| 2023 | Gold – New York Festival Radio Awards |
| 2023 | Podcast of the Year – ACRA (National) [6] |
Melissa Downes Net Worth, Salary
Melissa Downes, a prominent Australian news presenter, has an estimated net worth of approximately $7.64 million. Her approximate annual salary is yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $7.64 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Melissa Downes Height, Weight, & Physical Stats
Melissa Downes’ exact height and weight are yet to be updated, and specific body measurements have not been publicly shared. She has a natural mix of blonde and dark brown hair and blue eyes.
| Height | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Mix of Blonde & dark brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Melissa Downes Instagram, X, Facebook
 melissa_downes_ | |
 Melissa-Downes |
Interesting Facts About Melissa Downes
- She originally wanted to become a fashion designer before pursuing journalism.
- Melissa has naturally curly hair but often straightens it for TV appearances.
- She graduated from Somerville House in 1988 and returned years later to speak at school events.
- Melissa’s father, Trevor Downes, created sketches of their 1860s family home in Brisbane.
- Her favourite New Year’s tradition is calling her parents and siblings, no matter where she is.
- She once trekked 250 km across the Simpson Desert to raise money for Youngcare.
- Melissa is an ambassador for the Queensland Cricketers’ Club, supporting player welfare.
More News Anchor From Australia
FAQs
Who is Melissa Downes?
Melissa Downes is an Australian journalist and TV news presenter, best known as the longtime face of Nine News Queensland’s evening bulletin.
How old is Melissa Downes?
Melissa Downes was born on September 17, 1973, making her 52 years old. She was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Is Melissa Downes married?
Yes, Melissa Downes is married to D-J Wendt, the owner of the popular music group The Ten Tenors.
Does Melissa Downes have children?
Yes, Melissa and her husband have two daughters, named Dee Dee and Anja.
What is Melissa Downes’s current job?
Melissa Downes is the weeknight news presenter for Nine News Queensland at 6 PM.
What is Melissa Downes’s educational background?
Melissa studied at Somerville House and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Queensland.
What awards has Melissa Downes won?
Melissa’s podcast Hannah’s Story, won multiple awards in 2023, including the Kennedy Award, ACRA Podcast of the Year, and Gold at the New York Festival Radio Awards.
What is Melissa Downes’s net worth?
Melissa Downes’s estimated net worth is around $7.64 million.
