9News Queensland is entering an exciting new era, with award-winning presenter, Melissa Downes, welcoming Joel Dry to the news desk, from Monday, August 18.

The duo will co-anchor the top-rating Monday to Friday editions of 9News Queensland.

It’s a homecoming for Dry who first joined the Brisbane newsroom 14 years ago, going on to cover many of Queensland’s biggest stories.

Dry said: “It’s a thrill to come home to Nine and work alongside the best in the business. The newsroom is full of energy and teaming up with Melissa is such an honour. She is the gold standard in Queensland news and has been so warm and welcoming. Together, I’m excited for us to deliver the stories that really matter to Queenslanders.”

Downes said: “I’m delighted to have Joel joining the team. We’re both so passionate about telling the stories of our amazing State and teaming-up will allow us to really add something extra into our nightly coverage. I’m looking forward to being out in our communities more often and engaging with people, to make sure we’re getting to the heart of what affects them.”

The move marks a return to a double-header presenting format following the retirement of Andrew Lofthouse early this year.

Director of 9News Queensland, Brendan Hockings, said: “Building around Melissa and Joel says everything about how we want to engage with the evolving news world. We have two top tier journalists who will be hands-on telling stories. It also gives us a lot of flexibility in how we respond to breaking news in a state as diverse as Queensland.”

The new-look presenting team comes at a time of historic strength for 9News Queensland, which has won every week of the official 2025 ratings survey year, while 6pm viewership has grown by more than 14% year-on-year.

The 9News Queensland 6pm bulletin, with Melissa Downes and Joel Dry, on Channel 9 and 9Now, begins Monday, August 18.

For further information, please contact: 
Lucy Charles
9Network Publicity
lucy.charles@nine.com.au

Thursday, 14 August, 2025