I have found Em to be a wonderful person. She is passionate, funny and has that inquisitive streak that you expect of a journalist. I couldn't resist sending her some questions so that we can all learn more about her.
So without further a do, here's my interview with Emma Mastronardi - the Queen of the television show tweet!
Can you please tell me a bit about you?
I always find talking about myself one of the hardest things to do. I don't find myself generally that interesting of person and therefore spend most of my time hearing other people's stories.
But, a quick biography; I'm 23 years old but I feel as though I'm 30.
I grew up in a town west of the Blue Mountains called Orange, where my Dad's family owned orchards and coincidently where my mothers family are from. I have an older sister who is now married and an older brother who is newly engaged. I completed most of my schooling in Dubbo, NSW and then went onto Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, where studied a degree of Communication Journalism majoring in politics.
I have travelled many places, seen and experienced a lot, and for those memories I am a better person.
Being of Italian background, what Mediterranean traits have you inherited?
I am probably the only Italian woman you will come across that cannot cook to save her life. I tend to burn water and fail to understand the concept of cooking eggs. I did seem to inherit the Roman nose and the love of food / red wine. I don't speak much Italian, just the basic greetings and polite P's and Q's. In true form I know all the feisty argumentative words though. Oh, and the knack of haggling.
What’s the best thing about living in the country, rather than a big city?
I have only really ever known the country lifestyle and I think it's something a lot of people take for granted. There's a certain ambiance in a country town, a general appreciation for one another, that I don't seem to feel in the city. The laid back nature, come as she goes, is something I've always felt accustom to.
There's a lot a country community can teach and give you, both about and to yourself and the world. It's humbling for me to visit smaller communities, like Dunedoo, where everybody knows one another and has a family unity to it.
And of course the country men aren't anything to sneeze at.
You are a journalist. What made you take up that line of work?
From the day I could read and write I knew I had a voice that needed to be heard. I would spend countless hours in my room pretending to be a radio host, television presenter or a hard hitting journalist interviewing the Prime Minister.
My Dad is the most social and friendly person I know. He always stops and has a conversation with anyone he meets. He's the kind of guy that you send to the shops to get milk and he comes home two hours later, no milk but a great story to tell. I learnt a lot from Dad's ways and his appreciation of everyone. He taught me that everyone as a story, just got all get told.
It's from that I always believed I could be an activist for people. Someone to stand up and shout for those being left behind. In many ways I'm lucky to have the chance to do what I've dreamed and love.
To me there is nothing more satisfying then going home at night and knowing you made a difference. I am proud to be myself because of the work I have done.
You have had a number of hospital visits over the past year or so. What injuries have you incurred?
I would have to be the most accident prone person you will ever meet in your life. There's good reason my friends always joke that I should have been born in bubble wrap. I tend to rush through things because otherwise I feel like there's so much I will miss out on if I don't, which is probably not a good trait to have.
The first serious injury I ever sustained was breaking my foot while falling off the stairs getting out of an aeroplane. I never really sought the appropriate medical treatment and as a result have a really week bone structure, which has resulted in 16 foot fractures.
In the past twelve months though, I had a fracture knee socket after being hit by a car while crossing the road. After I got full mobility back from that, I was doing a nightly walk with a friend when I fell on some uneven payment (with no signage from the local council) and broke my ankle. About three months later, I broke my wrist falling out of the shower, as a result of using too much conditioner and some falling on the newly polished tiles.
I think that list is long enough, even though that's just the tip of the iceberg.
You have appeared on many Australian shows, via Twitter. Approximately how many times have your tweets appeared on television?
I never tweet for the idea of becoming twitter famous. I guess the reason I do it is because I always have something to say, and sometimes it just needs to be shared. I would have to say my tweets have appeared easily over a hundred times on different programs.
What shows have your tweets appeared on?
Most of my tweets appear on the ABC's QandA program. Although they have recently started popping up on The Voice, The Block, My Kitchen Rules, Celebrity Apprentice... the list just goes on.
Why is social media so important nowadays?
Social media has closed the gap between societies and what some know as the "a listers". It is an incredible utensil when used correctly. More than ever before people feel, and are, more connected with their representative politicians, celebrities, friends and families. I couldn't imagine the future without advancing social media.
The problems lie though in it's direct competition to our media. We live in a day and age where citizen journalists can be just about everyone. No more is their accountability or accuracy in the deliverance of news. In some ways, social media compromises the truth factor of our modern world.
You have very pragmatic political views. Do you wish to be a politician one day, and why?
I always say, at one stage every politician was once a child who dared to dream they would make a difference. I don't understand why more people aren't throwing up their hands and running for politics. We have arm chair commentators who would rather sit and criticise the policies and practices of our major parties, but won't stand up and take action.
I have a party that I firmly follow and have even become a member of. However, in the same sense I am very much my own informed and knowledgeable individual.
I would love to be a politician, and the main reason being that politics can only work when you have equal representation of society. I honestly believe we can learn so much if we just took the time to listen.
If you were Prime Minister for 24 hours, what policies would you implement?
It's easy for me to say now that I would implement this and that, but those perceptions are based on an ideal world so it's almost impossible to answer. I will tell you I would fight for education and health services. I would work to abolishing party politics and work in unison with the various ministers (no matter who they are endorsed by) for a better Australia. We need to not only work for the here and now, but leave a legacy that our future generations will be proud of.
What does feminism mean to you?
I always find it incredibly hard to define feminism and I think my views on it might come across a bit controversial. I would like to stress that these are entirely my views.
The ideal of feminism, to me, should be about fighting for the equality and status of women within it nation. We should embrace our talents, our differences and our passions. We should work hard for families and careers. And most importantly we should accept one another. The idea of the sisterhood has been lost and with it I'm afraid the notion of progression has too.
In saying that though, I think a lot of people misuse the word feminism, or in common terms "play the feminism card" to manipulate situations. We will never have equality as long as we always believe we live in someone else's shadow.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I'm a very spontaneous person and I always love to take on challenges so I have never set a life plan or goal sheet for myself. In ten years, I will be where life takes me. As long as I'm happy and healthy, I will have lived a good life.
Finally, some quick questions:
What is your favourite food?
I would have to say my parents authentic Italian cooking. My mum makes the best lasagna (even though she's not of the Mediterranean descent) and my Dad cooks the best pasta. Other than that I am a sucker for a mean serve pub grub crumbed lamb cutlets.
Beer or wine?
This question is just cruel. You should never have to choose.
Which person inspires you the most?
Inspiration for me doesn't come from just one person, it comes from the way people overcome obstacles and defies the odds. If anything inspires me the most, it's the world we live in.
What hobbies do you have?
My main hobby is writing. It's the one passion I have always had and think I will always have. I write a lot of poetry surprisingly.
Watching the footy or clothes shopping?
It honestly depends on my mood for the day. There's been many times I've gone clothes shopping in the day, come home and cracked open a beer to the footy!
