Mel Bampton

Mel Bampton is a speaker, broadcaster, and storyteller with a career spanning nearly three decades in media, music, science and social justice. As the creator of Like A Version − one of the most iconic segments in ABC history − Mel has left an indelible mark on Australian music culture. Her experience as a music journalist, radio and tv presenter, writer, author and interviewer has seen her in conversation with some of the world’s most influential minds, from Lou Reed, Blondie and Quentin Tarantino to Dr Tim Flannery, Dava Sobel and David Suzuki.

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Mel’s ability to connect deeply with audiences stems from an extraordinary career trajectory: a start in commercial radio at Brisbane’s 4KQ, four years as host of triple j Drive with Charlie Pickering, followed by another four years as 'Mel in the Morning’. She later helmed The Great Australian Album Series, as well as The Producer Series, leading to her acclaimed book, Off The Record: One Woman’s Global Search for the World’s Greatest Music Producers (2022).

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Beyond music and radio, her voice as a writer, speaker and leader has resonated across hundreds of publications, panels, and festivals, including Soundwave, where she served as National Media Manager during its record-breaking years. But Mel’s expertise extends far beyond media. She is also a Senior Yoga Teacher, punk rock music lover and an Internationally Certified Therapist.

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Last year, Mel returned to the ABC after nearly a decade away. She appeared on Double J to host the Classic Albums series, as well as for the station’s 10th anniversary. Since then she’s been popping up on ABC Gold Coast, ABC Brisbane Drive and on Nightlife. In 2025, Mel was invited to speak at the Women’s Wellness Festival in Tasmania where she debuted her headline spoken-word presentation, Womb With A View, to a sold-out audience. She is the host of the How Human and We Are The Riverkeepers podcasts.

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In 2026 Mel has returned to her hometown as host of 612 ABC Brisbane Saturday Breakfast.