Brooke Boney appears to be in no hurry to return to her former television career. The one-time Today show star took to social media on Sunday to announce that she will be attending Sydney University to study philosophy.
New Academic Pursuit
The 38-year-old, who left her breakfast television role in 2024 to pursue a master's degree in the UK, joked on Instagram that she was 'a glutton for punishment'. 'Very excited, slightly terrified and still in disbelief,' she wrote. Brooke, who completed a Master of Public Policy (MPP) last year at Oxford University, said she will soon commence a PhD in philosophy. She shared a screenshot of a congratulatory email from Sydney University confirming the offer.
Additional Challenges
Elsewhere in her post, Brooke revealed she was ready for another very different kind of challenge. 'I might be a glutton for punishment, but I'm ticking off a couple more bucket list items… running the Sydney Marathon and accepting an offer from Sydney Uni...' she said.
Support from Friends
Several of Brooke's famous friends were quick to send words of encouragement. 'Dr Boney! Has a nice ring to it!' messaged former Channel Nine sports presenter Roz Kelly, while podcaster Jess Rowe gushed, 'Sensational'. Perth 10 News First presenter Narelda Jacobs also sent best wishes, writing 'Go BB' on Brooke's post.
Return to Today Show
It comes after Brooke appeared on Nine's Today show last November as a guest after returning to Australia following her studies in the UK. The popular reporter was congratulated by hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo on her graduation from Oxford. After a gushing tribute, Brooke was welcomed with heartfelt hugs from Karl and Sarah as she sat down to reflect on her time abroad.
'It's nice to be home! I just had the best time, it was so different from what I expected, but amazing in all the best ways,' Brooke said. She added that she was surprised by the subjects at which she proved adept, surpassing her own expectations. 'I was good at the things I was not expecting. My strongest subjects were economics and law and, actually, I got a distinction for my research, which is the highest possible mark,' she shared proudly.
Overcoming Doubts
Despite her stellar result, Brooke confessed to having doubts prior to making the big leap from Australia to the UK. 'You do have those doubts when you go in to do something new, you've never sort of experienced it before. I hadn't studied for, like, 20 years... and all of those comments about: "Oh did you get in on merit?" or: "Surely there's some sort of secret pathway for Today show hosts to go to Oxford."'
With her studies completed, Karl then asked Brooke if she would be open to returning to Channel Nine, and she didn't have to think too long for a reply. 'Are you kidding?' she laughed. 'Look how healthy I am. I don't have to wake up at a quarter-past three.'
