I can honestly say that Meri Fatin is among the best hosts/interviewers I have come across during my speaking career. Meri interviewed me last year for an event in Perth. She was very organised, had clearly mastered her brief and knew a lot about the subject. She was also relaxed and amusing, ensuring the whole event went very smoothly.
If you are looking for an interviewer or someone to bring an event together then I would wholeheartedly recommend her.
Dr Michael Mosley, TV presenter, journalist and best selling author.
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Meri Fatin is one of the most thoughtful, accomplished, original and skilled hosts I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. I met her for the first time on the night of launching my book, Your Own Kind of Girl, in Perth. She had come recommended via my publisher and several other sources, so I thought “Let’s give this a go”. I am so glad I did, Her preparation, intelligence, and warmth – the fullness and grace she brought to a rather complex and delicate conversation – was absolutely remarkable. Her style of questioning was original, tender, gently provocative, and made for a deeply interesting conversation. The audience loved her, and to be honest, so did I. I was sad when the evening ended! I even briefly considered moving state just so I could hang out with her more often, but thought it best check with the family first? I mean honestly, the woman’s a professional. Couldn’t recommend her more highly.
Clare Bowditch | Music maker, story baker, educator
I have been involved with Meri Fatin for a number of events throughout 2018, where she has been the in-conversation host. At each she has been well prepared, adaptable, warm and engaged with the individual author and the audience.
Tracey Cheetham | Publicity & Marketing Director |Pan Macmillan Australia
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My time with Meri was much more than working to improve the skills associated with public speaking; it was charting a path into becoming a more effective communicator. Her assistance in reaffirming the skills and confidence needed as part of a keynote presentation better enabled me to build a personal dialogue and relationship with my audience.
Meri was an absolute pleasure to work with, I cannot recommend her services highly enough. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to be guided by her and to have access to her impeccable skills.
Deborah Attard Portughes | Chief Operations Director
Women and Infants Research Foundation
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I have known Meri for some time now and always enjoy hearing the passionate and insightful conversation that she invites – she is a storyteller. Her tireless work ethic is evidenced by the rigorous research she undertakes for every project. Whether hosting an event or panel, or interviewing one person, she manages to weave in a personal story or interesting observation that adds a richness to the story.
Meri can always be trusted to MC an event, whether formal or informal, large or intimate, in a perfectly fitting manner, adding humour when appropriate, keeping on script when required, or ad libbing when a tub of yoghurt is thrown at the main speaker.
When asked to present at an industry conference recently, I asked Meri to help. I was capable of writing and presenting on my own, but because of my limited time, decided to engage Meri. Meri’s process – to understand, research, ask and then formulate the structure made the process so simple and efficient. We worked together, and then separately and then again together to practice ways of engaging the audience and we worked with a presentation that was designed to be a bit open-ended. For me the process de-risked the presentation. I would certainly engage Meri again and will look for opportunities of bringing her in to my organisation to coach others on presentation techniques.
Tanya Sim | Co-Founder and Managing Director, Block Branding
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Cover to Cover is a monthly television program produced by writingWA and Westlink TV to showcase exciting Western Australian literary talent across a multiplicity of genres. The program is presented by Meri Fatin and she is quite simply its head, heart and soul, bringing a vibrancy and intelligence to each episode that immediately engages guests and viewers alike. Our authors are fulsome in their praise for Meri and regularly feedback to us about how much they enjoyed the experience of being interviewed by her. She is a much-valued member of the writingWA team and I cannot imagine Cover to Cover without her.
Sharon Flindell | CEO, writingWA
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I am writing to thank you for your important contribution to the Preventive Health Summit earlier this month. Your skilled facilitation of the Obesity Prevention Session was testimony to your thoughtful preparation and your experience in exploring complex themes from a range of perspectives.
Denise Sullivan | A-Assistant Director-General, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, WA Dept of Health
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Meri Fatin has been the Master of Ceremonies for our Graduate Fashion Show since 2011 and has become an integral part this annual occasion. Each year Meri works closely with us to develop a script for the evening which is relevant and unique to the theme and location of the event. This involves research and discussion and I really value the collaborative nature of this relationship because I feel that Meri approaches the task in a serious, thoughtful and intelligent manner. It means that she actually gets what we do and she is able to communicate this to our audience. Meri’s involvement in our event goes way beyond just reading off a generic script, she always takes the time to make sure she pronounces all the names correctly and adds in relevant comments where necessary. The feedback we have received from our industry as well as parents is that Meri brings a sense of occasion to our event. Meri is definitely elegant, glamorous and has great stage presence, but more importantly she is professional, articulate, calm and confident
Anna Kotai| Course Co-ordinator,Associate Degree of Fashion and Textile Design, North Metropolitan TAFE
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Just wanted to say how delighted I was to be included in the recent Cover to Cover… I think Meri Fatin is absolutely perfect as host of the show – knowledgeable, thoughtful, interested, interesting! Not only engage thoroughly with the material itself, her manner is really warm and personable; I think she sets an excellent tone for the whole show.
Meg McKinlay | WA Writer, author of the award-winning children’s novel A Single Stone.
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Meri is the consummate professional. I have engaged her services as an MC and narrator and she impressed diverse audiences. She mastered the protocol requirements within minutes for an event that involved the Governor, an African Queen Mother and guests from 50 plus backgrounds. Brava!
Anne-Maree Ferguson | Event Organiser, International Women’s Day WA Hall of Fame
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We brought Meri on board for the 2016 Disrupted Festival of Ideas as facilitator for key session in the program at the State Theatre Centre of WA. Most notably as interviewer with media personality, Waleed Aly, and as facilitator for a panel ‘Dismantling Gender Politics’. Meri took on both roles with care and enthusiasm. She went above and beyond, ensuring strong communication with the panelists and a keen understanding of their work and their topics of interest. As Executive Producer, I was confident with the program that Meri would deliver and knew it would be handled professionally and effectively. I would not hesitate to have Meri as part of any programs that GM Consulting might deliver in the future.
Georgia Malone | Executive Producer – Disrupted: Festival of Ideas
Marketing and Management Consultant
As a facilitator, Meri was thorough in preparation and research prior to the event and showed careful thought and empathy in relation to a topic requiring sensitivity and respect – and in a topic that was new to her. During our panel discussion, Meri was in the present moment, simultaneously allowed conversation to flow and cover all topics and also ensured an equal balance of time for each panellist. At the end, she combined objectivity with genuine passion and interest. A relative newbie to the skill of facilitation came across as a veteran.
Sally Goldner | Executive Director, Transgender Victoria
Panellist, Disrupted Festival of Ideas
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Meri Fatin has been one of my preferred facilitators for sessions and events at Perth Writers Festival for a number of years. Meri’s enthusiasm and extensive research ensure panellists feel comfortable speaking about a wide range of issues while audiences engage with her lovely stage manner and conversational tone.
Meri has chaired a broad range of events for me, from fiction to performance to topical social issues and she approaches each with intelligence and empathy. It is a pleasure working with Meri and I would recommend her to anyone looking for a professional, considered and effective chair who can easily build rapport with audiences and panellists alike.
Katherine Dorrington | Program Manager: Perth Writers Festival
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We all thought Meri did an amazing job of facilitating the Q&A.
She was well focussed and articulate. It was wonderful that she’s attended twice so she knew the show content well. Her questions were relevant, well posed and encouraged responses from each and all of the cast. It was very evident that she found the show issues applicable to her own life which made the forum more meaningful because it helped to give the audience members permission to comment and ask questions. The length of the forum was a great indicator of how invested the audience became.
We’re very grateful to her for her terrific facilitation skills and easy manner … it was quite brilliant really.
Hellie Turner | Writer and Director Project Xan. PICA November 2016
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In 2016, Meri Fatin from Three Gates Media was invited to be involved in Spark_Lab, PICA’s education program. As part of our school partnership with Warnbro Community High School we ran the Moorditj Waankaniny (Deadly Talking), a 21st century story-telling program for young Indigenous people project with the school’s Aboriginal boys and girls. Meri was involved in our inspiration workshop with a host of other professionals talking about storytelling and broadcasting and she also held a workshop in interviewing and audio recording skills with the kids. Meri is a consummate professional – she well researches her subject, is prepared, approachable, flexible and eager. Meri is always a delight to be around with her friendly, genuine disposition. She listens and gives wholeheartedly. I would thoroughly recommend Meri anytime.
Minaxi May | Education Program Curator | Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
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Meri was the supreme host for Fashion Talks and was an intelligent, lively and charming interviewer with the skills to draw out the best stories and most interesting ideas. Meri brought a deep multi-faceted appreciation of art, design and contemporary culture and a honed understanding of what makes for an entertaining, successful event that ensured Fashion Talks were a hit”
Meri was also integral to the planning in discussing possible guests, themes and ideas to create well-conceived series.
Meri also has a gift for radio interviews; the Audio Tour she created to accompany artist Lev Vykopal’s major Gallipoli centenary exhibition was outstanding and enlivened and enriched the experience for all our visitors.
Jim Cathcart | Director, Fremantle Arts Centre
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MEDIA AWARDS
DAILY NEWS CENTENARY PRIZE FOR WA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR 2013
WA MEDIA AWARDS: BEST RADIO/AUDIO NEWS STORY OR FEATURE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WA_Media_Awards#2012_winners
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS ( SHORTLISTED)
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/media-releases/journalists-shortlisted-human-rights-awards
WA MEDIA AWARDS 2012 – BEST NEWS/CURRENT AFFAIRS STORY (RADIO/ONLINE)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WA_Media_Awards#2012_winners
UNAA MEDIA PEACE AWARDS 2007 – Finalist, Best Radio
UNAA MEDIA PEACE AWARDS 2006 – Winner Best Radio
http://www.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/32594/ECUAR2006.pdf ( page 4)
Media Student Awards:
Lillian P Cavanaugh Award for Broadcasting 2006
Top student of the year award
2006 Ossie Awards for Journalism Students 2006
Winner, Best TV News Story by a Post Grad student
Winner, Best Broadcast Current Affairs story by a post grad student