A remarkable baby boom is underway at 7NEWS Melbourne, with 11 babies welcomed into the newsroom over the past 12 months. Exhausted parents, both on and off camera, are balancing the demands of breaking news, deadlines, and live television alongside bottles, nappies, and sleepless nights.
To celebrate Mother's Day, eight members of the team gathered for a special newsroom photoshoot with their little ones. The celebration featured 7NEWS editor Naomi Worthy with five-month-old Eli; chief of staff and editorial producer Kate McGrath with seven-month-old Wilbur; chief sport reporter Mitch Cleary with 11-week-old Sophia; reporter Sara Jones with newborn son Leo; reporter Bethan Yeoman with four-month-old Archie; chief crime editor Cassie Zervos with five-month-old Lucy; weekend sport presenter Theo Doropoulos with six-month-old Zac; and presenter and reporter Melina Sarris with 11-month-old Clover.
Embracing Major Life Changes
For many, the past year has brought some of the biggest changes in their lives. McGrath revealed she was four months pregnant when she was offered a role at 7NEWS last year. "When 7NEWS approached me to join the team last year, I said, 'I'd love to but I warn you, I'm four months pregnant!'," McGrath said. She added that news director Chris Salter immediately reassured her, saying, "We want you on the team, we'll support you during your pregnancy and birth and welcome you back when you're ready."
Now celebrating her first Mother's Day as a mother of two, McGrath described family life as beautifully chaotic. "There's no place I'd rather be than at home with my family," she said. "It means chaos, lots of laundry, lots of activities, daily impromptu concerts, and so many big hugs and kisses from my favourite people."
New Perspectives on Parenthood
For Worthy, becoming a parent has transformed her entire outlook on life. "To me, being a parent is a vocation," she said. "It's a huge privilege to be responsible for the nurturing and education of another human being, and I hope I never forget that. Being a parent helps me to look beyond the trivial day-to-day things and towards the bigger picture and what's really important in life."
Jones, photographed with her 13-day-old son Leo, described motherhood as both demanding and deeply rewarding. "Being a parent means everything to me," she said. "I feel like life truly started after becoming a mum. It's fulfilling, demanding, but the most rewarding job I've ever had."
Zervos said becoming a mother has taught her to appreciate the little things. "Lucy has taught me to slow down, put my phone away and be present," she said. "You really have to earn a smile and a giggle — it really is the best, and most challenging, job in the world." She also reflected on how motherhood has deepened her appreciation for her own mother. "Parenthood has also made me appreciate and admire my own mum on a whole new level. The sacrifices she's made over the years to raise my brother and I, it's something I will never take for granted. Mums really are the best."
For Cleary, the arrival of daughter Sophia has brought both joy and perspective. "It's incredibly rewarding and teaching us a new skillset every day," he said. "In the past few weeks, seeing Sophia smile and interact more makes you forget a long day pretty quickly."
Balancing News and Family
Despite the celebrations, the realities of working in television news remain unchanged, even on Mother's Day. "News stops for no one," Doropoulos said as he discussed his plans to spend the morning with his family before heading into work. For Sarris, this year's celebration holds special significance as her first Mother's Day as a family of four. "Being their mum is far more fun and fulfilling than I ever could have imagined," she said. "They remind me to slow down and enjoy the little moments. These two tiny humans are pure magic."
