By Hope 103.2Wednesday 20 Mar 2024Hope BreakfastStation NewsReading Time: 5 minutes
There’s a buzz around the place, with Breakfast’s new co-host Danniebelle quickly becoming a favourite with everyone!
Key points
- Danniebelle was born and raised in a Christian family in Fiji, moving to Australia in 1987. “Having faith like a child is really important to me.”
- In 2023 she realised her identity had formed around her job and it was time for a change.
- Danniebelle loved watching God make a way. “On one side, God was talking to Ally about changing work to have more time with family; on the other side, He’s doing something through me,”
We sat down to learn more about Danniebelle and how she’s going with those early morning starts.
What’s the Danniebelle story?
My family migrated to Sydney from Fiji in 1987 when Dad became Sales Manager for the Balmain Retravision store. I was 18 months and an only child. We lived in a small apartment behind the store until I was 16 when we moved to Glenwood.
I’ve grown up in a Christian family. My earliest memories are Sunday School and church in a great Christian community. Fiji is predominantly a Christian nation. The Bible says for us to be childlike in our faith and I love that I found Jesus when I was a child. Having faith like a child is really important for me.
“Having faith like a child is really important for me,” Danniebelle said.
As a girl, I wanted to be a famous singer and actress. In high school, I did drama where I got my highest marks and thought “I’m going to be an actress” but last year I ventured into film doing background extras work. Leaving school, I worked for Intercontinental Hotels, starting as a reservation sales agent and finished as Asia Pacific Guest Relations Manager.
Then I moved to Hillsong for almost 14 years with both the TV and music teams producing videos and managing video content for the music bands.
Everything changed in 2023…
However, in January 2023 I didn’t have a full-time job and realised my identity was in the job and I had to really seek God in redefining myself and my foundations in Jesus. Never once did I question my relationship with Jesus – ever – but I got lost in the job. It happens. I had a peace about leaving but had to ask “God, where are You sending me and what are You doing now?” I started Uber driving, did some sporadic work on commercials plus a couple of TV shows as a background extra, and worked as a Floor Manager for Vivid Lights and a Red Bull Dance event.
I’ve met so many amazing people in the Film/TV industry who need a little hope and a lot of Jesus. I prayed that God would use me to shed His light to them.
When did you start considering co-hosting Brekky?
I believe God is the master orchestrator. I love how He aligns the right conversations with the right people to come alongside you every moment of your journey. For me coming to Hope, God had started conversations – He was talking to this person and that person. I knew Ally a little bit and loved her. I’m close friends with Celeste and there was an Ally and Brendan competition which I took Celeste’s children to.
I met Ally for the first time and we got on like a house on fire. On one side, God was talking to Ally about changing work to have more time with family; on the other side, He’s doing something through me. I love that God’s got a plan for everybody. That’s the beauty of God. We are doing this life together.
“On one side, God was talking to Ally about changing work to have more time with family; on the other side, He’s doing something through me,” Danniebelle said.
I’ve only been here about a month and still can’t believe I get to be part of this. Since very young, I’ve felt the call on my life was to share God’s love through conversation, action and being kind to people. I hope when people listen to us, they feel that and go out and do the same to others.
You and Brendan have known each other for a while…
We met 10 years ago and are great friends. It’s a friendship where you can have a really good conversation; talk about the things of God; encourage or challenge each other; and read each other. God brought us together at the right time. We can sit and talk, talk, talk, laugh, laugh, laugh; and for years we used to joke “we need our own show”.
It’s God’s timing that we’re here now. I’m so grateful for Brendan’s friendship and brothership. We have this great dynamic that we can bring hope together on the radio. However, God must get the glory and that’s what we’re here for. I’m excited to do this with the whole Hope team.
Are you a crawler or leaper… do you crawl out of bed or leap out when that alarm sounds around 4am?
I’m a leaper. I’m a morning person and when that alarm goes off, I leap out of bed, so it hasn’t been too much of an adjustment. The first two weeks I felt jet lagged in the day but now I think my body clock has adjusted and I’m pretty good.
What’s on the top of your bucket list?
Skydiving in Brazil over the Christ the Redeemer statue. I have a goal to hit as many countries as I can. I love travelling. My favourite place was Israel for 2019, on a work trip. But I loved Bora Bora in 2012. I’ve been to Africa, Europe, Australia (obviously, because I live here!), South America, North America. Japan is next on the list!
What’s one thing you learnt about the ministry of Hopeland since you’ve arrived?
Hope 103.2 is the point of difference on the radio. We literally bring our name to this city and beyond – bringing Jesus to your everyday – so people will feel the presence of God; be encouraged by our personal walk and hear other people’s journeys. I believe Jesus wants us to do our faith journey in community.
“People who aren’t Christian are telling me they’re listening to Hope,” Danniebelle said.
I’ve had so many people message me saying “I’m no longer listening to anybody else because you guys are so joyful and bring faith to my morning”. People who aren’t Christian are telling me they’re listening to Hope. I think “Oh God, this is how You want us to make a difference!” This didn’t start when I got here – it’s been going for 45 years – and I can be a part of this legacy of sharing God. I love our station because of the message of hope.
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