After starting her working life as a schoolteacher in country Victoria, Belinda Hawkins (who holds an MA in English Literature from Melbourne University) moved into journalism. She has reported for SBS and ABC television news for over thirty years, from countries such as Nigeria, Eritrea, Cuba, Germany, and Russia.
She started as a senior reporter on the ABC Television's Australian Story series in 2001.
Her awards for journalism and documentary work include seven Quill Awards (including the Gold Quill), four New York Festival Medals, four United Nations Media Peace Awards, and a Walkley Award (as well as nine additional Walkley nominations).