Julia Zaetta

Julia Anita Zaetta (/ˈzeɪɛtə/; born) is an Australian journalist, and magazine editor. Currently Editor of Better Homes and Gardens,^[1] "Australia's favourite homemaker magazine"^[2] and Family Circle for Pacific Magazines and over the last 17 years, has been involved an exciting partnership with the top-ratied Better Homes and Gardens^[3] show on Channel Seven.

Early Years

She was born in Mildura in country Victoria to Italian immigrant, Francesco "Frank" Zaetta, and the daughter of Italian immigrants, Doreen Civelli. Education was a very important part of life for the formally educated Frank and he moved his family to Melbourne so that his daughters, Louise and Julia, could have access to the standard of schooling that wasn't available in country Victoria at the time. Her sister, Louise Zaetta-Thomas,^[4] became a copy writer and author, writing the controversial book on growing up Catholic, For Christ's Sake^[5] and the novel Land of Gold and Silver, inspired by interest in her Italian forebears.

Education

After attending Genazzano FCJ College ^[6] in Melbourne, Victoria, she studied at the University of Melbourne, gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. Whilst at university, she worked as a book editor for Hawthorn Press,^[7] producing many books on a variety of subjects. Post-graduation, she studied at the Comitato Linguistico^[8] in Perugia, Italy, the New York School of Interior Design,^[9] and a summer school in English Literature at Oxford University.

Career

Magazines

Her magazine career began with Australian Home Journal^[10] and a move from Melbourne to Sydney, where she has lived through her various magazine and television career developments. She has been editor of:

• Better Homes and Gardens^[11] – including during the launch and continued success of Better Homes and Gardens TV series
• Family Circle^[12] – the relaunch and successful revival of the now bi-annual title which had been in hiatus.^[13]
• Diabetic Living^[14] – the successful launch of the bi-monthly magazine
• New Woman – one of the most successful Australian magazine launches of all time in to this niche upmarket women's segment.
• The Australian Women's Weekly^[15] – ACP's^[16] most prominent title.

Television

She has also been extensively involved in television as the host of the magazine spin-off Family Circle TV, a daily "live" daytime programme, and also as a regular panelist of the Seven Network's Sunrise, as one of Kochie's Angels.

Personal life

Julia lives in Manly, with her son, Gianni.

Awards

Under her editorship, Better Homes & Gardens has been named Australian Magazine of the Year on three occasions and runner-up on another:^[17]

• 2009 – Australian Magazine Awards – Magazine of the Year and winner of the Home & Garden category,^[18][19][20]
• 2010 – Australian Magazine Awards – runner up Magazine of the Year and winner of the Home & Garden category for the second consecutive year ^[21]
• 2011 – Australian Newsagents Federation Awards

The Satchel Awards:

"Also big on personality is Julia Zaetta, editor of the top-selling Better Homes & Gardens, which turns in a positive report card to publisher Pacific Magazines every time the circulation and readership data rolls around. It is almost getting embarrassing."^[22]

References