Carrie Fellner

Currently investigating chemical contamination for The Sydney Morning Herald, Fellner combines scientific rigor with compelling storytelling. Her work focuses on:

  • Water Quality: PFAS and industrial pollutants in drinking systems
  • Public Health: Long-term exposure impacts on communities

Pitching Priorities

  • Peer-reviewed studies on emerging contaminants
  • Whistleblower accounts from water treatment facilities

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More About Carrie Fellner

Bio

Carrie Fellner: Australia’s Foremost Investigator of Environmental Health Crises

Career Trajectory: From Regional Reporting to National Impact

We’ve tracked Carrie Fellner’s evolution from her early days at the Newcastle Herald to becoming a key environmental investigative reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald. Her career milestones include:

  • 2016: Joined Newcastle Herald, breaking stories on coal industry pollution
  • 2019: Exposed pharmaceutical waste mismanagement in NSW hospitals
  • 2022: Led SMH’s award-winning “Toxic Australia” series
  • 2024: Revealed nationwide PFAS contamination in drinking water

Defining Investigations

Fellner’s landmark 2024 investigation combined Freedom of Information requests with scientific analysis to reveal PFAS contamination in 65% of tested Australian water supplies. Her methodology included:

  • 12 months of data analysis from 142 water treatment plants
  • Interviews with 43 public health officials
  • Comparative study of international safety standards
“The water we drink shouldn’t be a chemical roulette - yet our investigation shows most Australians have no idea what’s flowing through their taps.”

Beat Analysis & Pitching Strategies

1. PFAS-Specific Experts

Fellner prioritizes researchers studying long-term health impacts of PFAS exposure. A successful pitch might involve:
Example: Her 2024 platypus study collaboration with University of Sydney ecologists demonstrated how animal biomarkers can reveal human health risks.

2. Community Impact Stories

She seeks narratives showing real-world consequences of pollution:
Case Study: Her Hunter Valley series profiled families facing elevated cancer rates near industrial zones.

Awards and Recognition

  • 2023 Walkley Award for Environmental Reporting

The Walkley Foundation recognized her decade-long investigation into NSW water pollution, particularly noting her innovative use of GIS mapping to track contaminant spread.

Top Articles

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