Far South Coast journalist and 2EC/Power FM radio broadcaster, James Fennessy, is used to talking a lot but he and his partner, Dietitian Ella Fennessy, can't say enough about the wonderful care they've received from midwives at South East Regional Hospital (SERH) in Bega.
The young family welcomed their second child and first boy, Edward, at South East Regional Hospital last year and big sister Sadie, 2, in 2021 during a COVID lockdown. James and Ella had a great birthing experience on both occasions and said this is credit to the midwives as well as the confidence they gained from using 'calmbirth' and 'hypnobirthing' techniques.
"The team at SERH is so good and the facilities are amazing," Ella said.
"The birthing techniques we'd learnt were part of the reason it was such an amazing experience," Ella said. "Knowing what to expect and that 'I can do this' meant we could roll with it and embrace what was happening during the birth and to a certain extent - do it our way. And we had such faith in the team at SERH - that was the other part that made it amazing."
Ella has another special connection to SERH - she has been a dietitian at the hospital since 2018.
"For Edward's birth, Ella had her waters broken, and we're walking around the hospital, back and forth, trying to bring on labour but we're getting stopped by many of El's colleagues and friends wanting to say hello and wish us well," James said with a smile.
"For the record I think all women that go through childbirth are incredible and Ella is no exception, she was amazing throughout," he said.
"I think our positive birthing experience came down to a combination of our preparation, Ella's attitude, the great team at SERH and maybe a bit of luck as well."
The family live on the Sapphire Coast and Ella grew up in Tathra, and while they met and worked outside of the Bega Valley until their return in 2017, being near the ocean and close to family has meant they could start a family and develop their careers.
You might have heard the voice of James Fennessy on 2EC and Power FM while making your breakfast or driving in your car on the far south coast of NSW in the mornings between 6-9am.
James says he gets a lot of job satisfaction from talking to different people and telling their stories, as a regional journalist and radio broadcaster working out of the Australian Radio Network (ARN) studio in Bega.
"I broadcast half-hourly bulletins locally between 6am-9am," James said. "My coverage area is the Far South Coast from Bawley Point in the north to Mallacoota in the South and across to Bombala."
James also presents a national bulletin with co-hosts across the country on the podcast 'Your News Now' which was ranked in the top 30 podcasts for 2023.
"I've had lots of opportunities to further my career from right here on the far south coast and it's an amazing place to live and raise a family, so why would you want to be anywhere else."
You can listen to James and the East Coast Radio team on 2EC, Power FM and via the iHeartRadio app, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
