Dr Cherie Romaro AM has spent a lifetime working in media, and was responsible for a number of firsts in her field. 

She was Australia's first commercial radio female music director and the first female content director during a time where it was difficult for women to achieve these positions.

While at 2DAYFM, she was the first to broadcast John Farnham’s You’re the Voice to begin its explosion of popularity and was also the inaugural content director for the launch of FM in Australia at Sydney’s 2MMM FM. 

As group content director, Cherie was responsible for the co creation of the MIX FM format and the GOLD FM national radio networks at the Australian Radio Network. She was also to thank for the creation of Classic Hits 2CH. 

Cherie's company, International Media Communications, was a consultant for ABC Radio, digital and television. Later, she moved from radio to television, working as general manager at ARENA TV The Weather Channel.

She was also awarded an honorary Doctorate Media (Radio) for her work over 3 decades with the students at AFTRS Australian Film Television and Radio School in 2021.

For her work, Cherie was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to broadcast media, particularly radio, and to the community.

“My work in the media and radio has been a lifetime of challenges, creativity, success and failures,” she explains.

“Challenges because, especially in the 70s, 80s and 90s, there were very few women in senior key creative roles and at times it was a very tough journey.

“You had to really love what you did, and have the resilience to continue despite the obstacles. I love what I do and never wanted to give up.

“I am very proud of paving the way for other women to follow my path.”

Outside of her work in the media, Cherie is also a volunteer at Shalom Baptist Care, something she is deeply passionate about.

“My work with aged care was driven by my love of our seniors and the need to make them be seen and heard, to ensure they enjoy their twilight years,” she says.

“It was so rewarding in so many ways; I gained more than I gave … our seniors are amazing and so often forgotten.”

Despite the unexpected recognition, Cherie explains it means a lot to her.

“I was completely surprised and thought to myself ‘who would have thought I deserved this amazing award, and who took the time to nominate me?’

“It was something I never thought I would be worthy of. My next thought was how proud my parents would have been, and I wished they could have been here to witness how the little girl with a big dream from small town Pemberton in Western Australia achieved such a huge recognition.”