The Power of Passion – Deanne Bishop’s Media Adventure
Life after Santa Maria College has been a whirlwind of adventure for Deanne Bishop (Odorisio, 1975). From the moment she graduated, she was eager to explore the world and embrace new opportunities. She dove straight into university, earning a Bachelor of Arts at Curtin University (then known as WAIT), where she met the love of her life. That was just the beginning of a life filled with travel, learning, and an exciting career in media.
After graduation, Deanne and her husband embarked on a European adventure before settling in the north-east of England. While her husband pursued his dream job at the BBC, Deanne was still figuring out her path. “I knew I didn’t want to spend my life working in retail or banking,” she recalls. “I needed to find something that excited me, something I was passionate about.” So, she returned to Australia with a new ambition – to break into the media industry.
Finding Her Passion in Media
Back home in the mid-80s, Deanne was accepted into the Australian Film, TV, and Radio School in Sydney, where she graduated with distinction. Despite industry warnings that starting a career in a major city was unlikely, she landed a role at 2WS News in Sydney straight away. “I remember my colleagues telling me the honeymoon phase would wear off,” she says. “But it never did. I was completely in love with my job.”
Her career quickly gained momentum, and soon, she had three incredible job offers on the table: a reporting role with SBS, a top news position at Sydney’s leading radio station, or an afternoon newsreader role with Triple M Sydney. She chose Triple M, a decision she describes as life-changing. “It was the best decision I ever made. I got to play every day and get paid for it. Who wouldn’t love that?”
Advice for Future Media Professionals
Breaking into the media industry wasn’t easy, but Deanne believes determination and connections are key. “Find the right people, do the right course, and work hard,” she advises. “You need to put yourself out there. No one is going to hand you an opportunity – you have to chase it.”
Memorable Moments and Career Highlights
Throughout her career, Deanne has had some incredible experiences. One of her most memorable moments was confidently walking up to former US President Bill Clinton, shaking his hand, and introducing herself. “I just thought, why not? If I can hijack a president for a quick chat, I can do anything!” she laughs. She also met Hollywood icons Sylvester Stallone and Julian Lennon, among many others.
One of her career highlights was working alongside the legendary Doug Mulray at Triple M Sydney. His ability to connect with an audience was unparalleled, and Deanne remembers a moment when an entire stadium turned their attention away from a game to chant his name. “It felt like I was watching the Sermon on the Mount!” she recalls. “The way people adored him was unlike anything I’d ever seen.”
The Impact of Santa Maria College
Looking back, Deanne credits Santa Maria College with shaping her confidence and resilience. Arriving as a boarder from the country, she was surrounded by strong, assertive women who inspired her to find her own voice. “I was a very green country girl when I started,” she says. “But the women at Santa Maria were powerful, intelligent, and knew their worth. That had a huge impact on me.”
The Sisters of Mercy were firm but compassionate, instilling in her values that would stay with her for life. Small moments – like a sister bringing warm water to soak her injured foot or ensuring senior students had extra time and resources to study – left a lasting impression on her. “It wasn’t just about academics,” she reflects. “It was about kindness, generosity, and lifting each other up.”
Life Beyond Broadcasting
After nearly 25 years in radio and TV, Deanne decided to step back and focus on her family. Today, she continues to work on voiceover projects, corporate videos, and media productions. But outside of work, her greatest joy is spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. “Family is everything to me,” she says. No matter what I’ve achieved in my career, nothing compares to the love and joy my family brings me.”
She also loves to travel, swim, and indulge in her passions for photography and Italian cooking, keeping the traditions of her heritage alive. “If I lived within walking distance of the beach, I’d be there every day,” she laughs. “And nothing beats a home-cooked Italian meal. It’s my way of honouring my roots.”
Deanne’s story is a reminder that success isn’t always about the titles we hold or the accolades we receive – it’s about the passion we bring to our work, the connections we make, and the impact we leave behind. Whether through radio, television, or mentoring the next generation, she has lived a life of purpose and passion. And as she looks back on her journey, she hopes to inspire others to chase their dreams with the same relentless enthusiasm.
- alumni, Boarder, DeanneBishop, InspiringStories, MediaCareer, WomenInMedia
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
Save the Date – Joint Aquinas College & Santa Maria College Event
The joint Aquinas and Santa Maria alumni event will be held on Friday 18 September 2026. It is being organised by the Santa Maria College Old Girls’ Association Committee in partnership with Aquinas College and will bring together alumni from both Colleges for an evening of reconnecting, conversation, drinks, and light refreshments.
Sisterhood Alumni Networking Series with Dr Carmen Lawrence
We are launching our 2026 Sisterhood Alumni Networking Series with an evening featuring distinguished past student Dr Carmen Lawrence. The event includes a special Q&A session exploring her career in psychology, politics, education, and social change. It will be held at Santa Maria College on Wednesday 10 June from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm.
From the President – May 2026
Santa Maria College alumni can look forward to several upcoming events in 2026. These include a joint alumni event with Aquinas College later in the year, a movie night at Windsor Theatre Nedlands in late July, and the Pleiades Meeting hosted at Santa Maria College in August. The update also encourages support for the College’s Winter Appeal.
Weekly Wrap Up – Week 6 & 7, Term 2
