
What's the role?
The Whitsunday Times & Daily Mercury are looking for an agile reporter to join the team who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, digitally focused environment to tell the stories that matter.
The role is primarily based at Airlie Beach and is part of a broader regional team which includes the Bowen Independent and award-winning Daily Mercury at Mackay.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and resilient individual who has the ability to build a rapport with a wide range of people and can deliver engaging, high-quality content that matters to the audience.
The best candidate will be skilled in news gathering and developing key contacts, have a solid grasp of social media, and the ability to pitch and deliver engaging content ideas.
About the role:
Source and create compelling stories that resonate with an audience
Deliver relevant content that both engages our existing subscribers and attracts new readers
Work under deadline pressure in a fast-paced environment to cover breaking stories without compromising on quality or accuracy
Focus on online engagement and drive subscription growth
Demonstrate initiative to seek out stories that are not already breaking and identify unique angles that drive conversation and move the issue forward
Digest digital data and use it in planning content
Turn what can sometimes be dry topics into engaging reads
This position will be based in the Whitsundays/Mackay region
Who are you?
Thrives on the challenge of meeting business outcomes and reader expectations and actively looks to exceed them
Strong news judgment and interview skills
Willing to embrace change and demonstrate agility in a fast-paced sector
Self-starter who can maintain high levels of personal organisation and time management
Understands social media, SEO, and digital data
Has a collaborative work ethic and ability to meet deadlines
Able to build and maintain a solid network of valuable contacts
Why News Corp Australia
Join a culture where innovation is our operating rhythm. You’ll work on a diverse portfolio of Australia’s most loved brands and play a pivotal role in leading the technological shift in how we create commercial content. Our vibrant, hybrid work environment and dynamic, values-driven culture empowers you to push boundaries, collaborate as one unified team, and make a positive, measurable impact for all Australians.
News Extras Benefits is a commitment to our people for their valued contribution to News, our audiences, clients and communities.
Our benefits include:
Exclusively ours - Access to publications and products from across the News Corp family
Perks & discounts - Exclusive offers across a range of products and services that deliver genuine cost savings and benefits
Health & wellbeing - Advice, support and facilities for healthy minds and bodies (including an onsite gym at our Adelaide, Brisbane & Sydney offices)
Time off - News offers a range of leave options to support your personal needs and moments that matter in life: Parental leave, Birthday leave, Volunteer leave, Career break and Compassionate leave.
Financial wellbeing - Support on making the most of your money
In addition to our perks and benefits, employees have access to a number of initiatives and programs that support their wellbeing and professional growth, such as:
Helping you grow - Access tailored development opportunities, including leadership programs, to cultivate your skills and support your career
Giving back - Make a difference to our communities through volunteer opportunities and company-organised charity drives
Workplace Inclusion and facilities – Engage with your passions through various employee-resource groups and accessibility to multi-faith quiet rooms & parents’ rooms
Who are we?
The award-winning Daily Mercury is an agenda-setting newsroom in Queensland and part of Australia’s most influential media organisation. Each month more than 17 million Australians choose to consume news and information from News Corp’s digital and print products – more than any other media group in Australia.
What’s next?
Apply now or for more information on careers at News Corp Australia visit www.newscorpaustralia.com/careers
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity strengthens our national teams and newsroom as we seek to tell stories that represent the communities of Australia. Our people make us unique, and so we are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability or gender identity. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply!
We are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or accommodations at any stage, please do not hesitate to let us know here In order for us to assist you, please ensure you include the role title you are applying for in the subject line. For more information regarding Diversity at NewsCorp Australia please visit www.newscorpaustralia.com/careers under the Diversity@News section.
Category:
State & Community Mastheads

We are proud to be Australia's leading media company.
For over a century, News Corp Australia has been an integral part of Australian life, delivering the news and information Australians rely on daily. Telling the stories that matter drives every piece of journalism, campaign, project, and innovation.
With over 150 brands spanning news, sport, and lifestyle, we connect with 18 million Australians monthly - a testament to the trust we've built over generations. From text-based content to dynamic video, personalised apps, fantasy games, podcasts, and events, we continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our audiences.
Our purpose inspires us, and our five values guide how we achieve it:
MAKE A DIFFERENCE - We are driven to create a positive, measurable impact.
BE PRINCIPLED - We uphold integrity, acting with honesty and purpose.
GET IT DONE - We are accountable for delivering high-quality outcomes.
PUSH BOUNDARIES - We are courageous, bold, and forward-thinking.
WORK AS A TEAM - We are one team, with many voices and diverse strengths.
We are committed to telling the stories that matter, delivering value across every medium, moment, and minute Australians choose to spend with us.