Kim Watkins (born 22 September 1967) is an Australian television and news presenter.
Career Watkins began her career in 1979, aged 12 as the co-host of the Nine Network's children's show You Asked For It.Nicholson, Sarah, "Square eyes", The Courier-Mail, 28 February 2007
In 1989, Kim began a six-year stint at the Seven Network in Brisbane working as a news reporter, weekend news presenter and a morning show host. While at Seven, she also worked on the 1992 Olympic Games.
In 1995, Watkins joined the Nine Network, working as a reporter on many shows including Good Medicine, Australia's Most Wanted, Money, and giving updates for the Wide World of Sports telecast of the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.The Guide, "Woman of substance heads south", The Courier-Mail, 26 January 2006 Watkins also presented National Nine Morning News and was a fill-in presenter on other National Nine News bulletins.
In April 2005, Watkins took the Nine Network to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, following a maternity leave dispute in which Watkins was reported to be "unhappy with the work she was assigned when she returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her third child."Vermeer, Tony, "Watkins settles network dispute", The Sunday Telegraph, 1 May 2005 Watkins and the Nine Network reached an agreement, and she left the Network.
In September 2005, Kim rejoined Seven Network as a reporter on Beyond Tomorrow.Edmonds, Mike; Dennehy, Luke; Adams, Chloe; "Kim goes beyond", The Herald Sun, 15 November 2005 She stayed with the network until the end of the year.
In January 2006, Watkins joined Network Ten to co-host a new morning show 9am with David and Kim with David Reyne. The show replaced long running Good Morning Australia. She also hosted Saving Babies and was a regular fill-presenter for Carrie Bickmore on Network Ten's panel show The Project.Gadd, Michael, "New Kids on Ten Block", The Newcastle Herald, 27 January 2006
Kim was an avid amateur motor racing driver and has driven in a number of celebrity events, including the celebrity race before the 2006 Australian Grand Prix. Starting from second on the grid, behind three-time Australian Superbike champion Shawn Giles, Watkins finished in third place behind winner, Giles, and AFL footballer Alastair Lynch. Watkins said, "I am absolutely ecstatic with third...this is one for all the mummies out there".Superbike champ takes out Celebrity Challenge Driveguide 3 April 2006
Kim turned down the opportunity to audition for co-host Breakfast. The position was later given to Kathryn Robinson.
Personal life Watkins has three children, including identical mono-amniotic mono-chorionic twin girls.Elsworth, Sophie, "Kim's just kidding around", The Advertiser, 21 February 2007
References
External links Hoffmann, Luise, Kim and Kerri-Anne's TV faux pas, ABC Brisbane, 15 May 2007 Mum In Profile - Kim Watkins, essentialbaby.com.au, September 2006 Kim Watkins, Channel Ten biography