Verity James hails from Sydney and was a broadcaster with the ABC for more than 25 years. She has presented Television News for the ABC in Canberra where she also worked at Parliament House and Perth which became her chosen home 36 years ago. She also presented a food segment on Radio 6PR for 5 years. During this time Verity or VJ as she is mainly known has been an MC for a diverse range of events from the hosting the Dalai Lama, to the late Queen’s visit to Perth, to the London and Berlin Philharmonic performances – and everything in between! Her favourite events however are centred around food! VJ was Programme Director for the Mundaring Truffle Festival for 3 years, an MC for a multitude of events through ‘Taste Great Southern’ for 19 years along with Taste Perth. She has worked as cook for various catering companies including Sutcliffe which became Nationwide, Mondo Catering with Vince Garreffa often travelling regionally for demonstrations. On leaving the ABC, VJ ran her own fresh produce business and a scuba diving business and is now a full time Civil Celebrant specialising in funerals/celebrations of life – which she adores! Charity work is of huge importance to VJ and she was made an inaugural Red Cross Ambassador in the 90s and regularly helps present fundraisers for various charities including Lifeline WA.
A self-confessed Labrador, VJ is always thinking about the next meal even as she is consuming the current one! Food, biosecurity, agricultural safety and best practice animal husbandry and farming for a changing environment are crucial to her interests.