REMEMBER the days when jobs in television were advertised in the local newspaper?

Well, Queensland’s darling of weather, Jenny Woodward sure does.

“The ABC put an advertisement in the newspaper looking for a weather presenter,” said Jenny Woodward.

“I answered the ad,” she laughed.

One of six girls, Jenny was born in Brisbane but grew up in Toowoomba.

“I think I was lucky to be one of the younger ones, as the world was changing quickly and dramatically for women in the 60’s,” she said.

“I got the benefit of a more liberal society that my older sisters didn’t enjoy as much.”

A gifted academic and school captain, Jenny said she enjoyed her time attending Mater Dei School.

“I had good friends at school who I am still good friends with.

“So, it was a very happy childhood.”

Despite her natural gift for academia, Jenny was inspired by her mother who was an amateur actor and director.

“She encouraged us to put on plays for family entertainment and she was happy for us to have piano and speech and drama lessons,” said Jenny.

“I excelled at the latter, but sadly not the former.

“I loved doing those shows.

“We would set up a curtain on the verandah and present various singing and speaking acts and little plays.

“Often the dog would have a role. It was such fun!

“I loved it and I harboured ideas of being an actress although it seemed a big stretch from there to the real world.”

As the “stretch,” seemed too far-fetched for the Toowoomba teenager at the time, Jenny began studying for a Bachelor of Education.

“I only did it because Mum thought I should have something to fall back on,” she said.

“I really didn’t like it much.”

Hungry to pursue her passion for acting, Jenny used the opportunity to swap courses when her parents left for a holiday.

“When Mum and Dad were on a long overseas holiday, I dropped out of the course and then started the acting course the following year.

“In the meantime, I had picked up a job at the local television station, doing weather and I was really enjoying that.”

Jenny said she felt like she was “in her element,” when she found the course and was chosen for leading roles in the tertiary productions.

And post-graduation, she landed her first professional tour.

After the tour, however, Jenny began working full-time at Channel 10/4/5a in Toowoomba.

“I was lucky to have a terrific boss - Laurie Burrows,” she said.

“After the Dalby floods in 1981, Mr Burrows called me on a weekend and asked me to produce a telethon that would run for about six hours the following Saturday.”

Jenny had a week to put the package together and said, “it was all hands-on deck.”

“We raised more than $125,000 that night and I think it was a fabulous result.

“I was very proud of myself because I know it doesn’t sound like much now, but at the time you could buy a house in Toowoomba for $25,000,” she laughed.

After juggling theatre and the Toowoomba television industry for several years, Jenny had her first baby and began the search for a part-time job.

And the ABC advert in the local newspaper for a ‘weather presenter,’ caught her eye.

Jenny has now been on our screens for more than 35 years.

She is happily married to Doug Woodward and the mother of three boys Sam, Alex and Michael.

“It’s been hard, it’s been chaotic, and it was made possible by having a husband who was willing to take on a huge part of the actual heavy lifting of family life.

“Cooking dinner and supervising homework and bath and bedtimes, on his own for years and years.

“As it was part-time work, I was always able to go to the school events during the day and pick the boys up from school and always tried to have afternoon tea ready.

“But I couldn’t have done it without Doug’s huge contribution and also the help of friends.”

Throughout her career, Jenny has also been a favourite at the Brisbane Ekka, compered the Spirit of Christmas concert at QPAC for more than ten years and was the first to present and create a weather show for the ABC News Channel when it first launched.

Now, with the help of her son, producer, Alex Woodward, the duo are bringing Jenny’s one-woman show, Weathering Well, to Ipswich in 2022.

“Weathering Well is a nostalgic walk down memory lane, charting the highs and lows of a career in television, focused on the topic that everyone cares about - the weather,” said Jenny.

“I tell lots of stories, there are plenty of laughs.

“Who doesn’t love an 80’s hairstyle and big shoulder pads? And there are lots of photos and videos.”

Pianist and singer, Jake Bristow will join Jenny on stage and will sing as well as act as a counterpoint to Jenny at times.

“Why, I might even sing myself,” said Jenny.

Jenny’s first television appearance was in 1976 and as a regional Southeast Queenslander herself, she encourages those from rural communities to chase their dreams and has offered her own advice.

“I think the game has changed dramatically since I started such a long time ago,” she said.

“Be clear in what you want. I think it’s important to play to your strengths.

“Be realistic. I was never going to be a professional pianist no matter how much I practised.

“Study hard. Practice writing, presenting and keep knocking on doors, I remember spending a lot of time in my bedroom reading aloud and working on my voice to get the result I wanted.

“Look at any criticism you get with a clear eye. Sometimes it’s just mean, but other times there can be some helpful comments that give you new things to work on.

“Say, what you mean and follow it up with actions.

“Be sincere. Don't try and be someone you are not. That is exhausting and people can pick it a mile away.

“And finally, be a nice person.”

Advice aside, Jenny is delighted to be bringing her show to Ipswich and sharing what she refers to as “an amazing ride.”

“I don't think that I am special in any way. I turn up every day and I do the very best I can.

“I feel enormously honoured that people welcome me into their homes every night and trust the work that I do.

“Anyone who loves a good story, a laugh and music will enjoy the show. It will make you laugh, and cry and you will have a song in your heart as you leave the theatre.

“It’s a feel-good show, and we all need that.”