Christie Cooper has stepped away from the Seven Network after a combined 13 years with the broadcaster, marking the end of a decade-long on-the-ground reporting career in Melbourne.
Cooper confirmed her departure on LinkedIn, thanking viewers and colleagues while outlining plans to remain active in media alongside a new business venture.
“After 13 combined years at the Seven Network (with a break in between), I’ve officially handed in my resignation,” she wrote.
Freelance future and new venture
Cooper said she is looking ahead to 2026, with a mix of freelance media work and entrepreneurship.
“I’m excited for what’s to come in 2026. I’ll be working on getting my new business, Growing Healthier Futures, off the ground while continuing to freelance as a journalist, presenter, producer and chief of staff,” she said.
Her next on-air role will see her return briefly to broadcast production, starting with “a whirlwind 2 weeks working on the Australian Open for Tennis Australia”.
From newsroom to classrooms
Alongside freelance media work, Cooper has founded Growing Healthier Futures, a social enterprise that helps schools and kindergartens establish affordable, long-lasting growing programs using upcycled and recycled materials.
The initiative focuses on adapting existing gardening programs for education settings and supporting educators to make food-growing projects accessible and sustainable.
The platform builds on Cooper’s existing digital presence as the Green Thumb Reporter, where she produces gardening and sustainability content for a growing online audience, boasting 13.2k subscribers to her channel.