Industry Mums - Melinda Varga

Broadcaster and mother Jane Gazzo continues her series asking women to describe their triumphs and challenges as working mothers in the Australian music industry.

Melinda Varga grew up in Kyneton, Victoria. For the past 20 years she has travelled between Los Angeles, London and Australia in her role as Executive Assistant to Sharon Osbourne and the Osbourne family. For the past two years she has called Kyneton home with her husband and 3 children, whilst juggling jet-lag and school lunches until COVID-19 changed things in March 2020.

Describe your current job

My role with Sharon Osbourne has evolved from a Nanny position to Executive Assistant over 19 years. Previously, I worked at APRA and BMG Records in Australia and moved to LA at the beginning of 2001. My husband is a tour manager and worked with Ozzy Osbourne. I met Sharon and the family at their music festival, Ozzfest in the US.

When 9/11 happened, Ozzy and Sharon were in New York and their kids were in LA. They had no idea when they would make it back. Sharon called me to help out with the kids. I was at their house within the hour and I kind of never left! I spontaneously became the kids nanny and because I’d had industry experience and no kids of my own at that point, I jumped right in to do odds and ends for Sharon when the kids were in school. In 2002, MTV moved into the Osbourne’s home to produce a reality TV show based on the family. It was a huge success and the kids ended up with their own careers. I also spent a year on the road with Kelly Osbourne, managing her day to day.

In 2003, Sharon was given her own talk show. She moved me over with her to the famous KTLA lot at the old Warner Bros Studio, and into a production office to work with the team on The Sharon Osbourne Show. It was a giant shift in gears for me, going from music to live television. Things didn’t stop for Sharon – tours, TV shows, merchandising, recording contracts. I’ve been lucky enough to be immersed in all of that. Then there was Sharon’s massive success with America’s Got Talent, X Factor UK and The Talk on CBS. I spent 2 ½ years working on the CBS lot on the Emmy Award winning talk show The Talk and it’s my favorite project to date. There is something about the energy of a live TV show – it’s fast and fun. I love being on the lot at CBS where they have made some of the most famous television shows in history.

What is your earliest musical memory?

My dad was a music fanatic so my earliest memories are of John Lennon’s Double Fantasy, Devo, The Who, Black Sabbath… we were always listening to music growing up.

First concert you went to?

Jimmy Barnes in 1989 – I still love Jimmy to this day!

How were you raised?

We were raised in quite a strict household, lots of rules and routine. Everything was always immaculate, well-kept and quite regimented! Mum would even iron my hair ribbons; she was fanatical. I hated this growing up. I’d say I couldn’t wait to live in a pig sty, relax and have my own rules.

What were your mother’s morals and values?

My mother encouraged me to do anything I wanted to do but that I’d only get there with hard work and a ‘can do’ attitude. No ringing in sick, always showing up and always go above and beyond.

What teachings/values/morals from your mother have you taken and/or implemented into your own family?

All the things I hated about being so regimented I’ve probably created in my own family! The routines in this household are how I’ve managed to stay working so much and kept relatively sane. Beds are made, washing on, everything in its place, early dinner, early bath, early bed! Very boring and very un-rock n roll!

Happiest family childhood memory?

We had a happy childhood in the country (Kyneton) spent with good friends and our cousins. I did lots of things country kids do; swimming in dams and rivers, hours and hours spent at the local swimming pool – all the things I do not let my own children do!

When did you know you wanted to work/be part of the music industry?

I knew nobody in the music industry so I had no clue about what jobs there were in the industry. I just knew I wanted to work with artists or work at a radio station where they played music! This was from a very young age after I’d given up the dream of joining the Young Talent Team!

What was your first industry job?

My first job in the industry was at APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association) in Melbourne. I have nothing but fond memories of this time, the people I worked with and the songwriters and managers we interacted with. This was before the online explosion, so the office was always abuzz with an assortment of talented songwriters and musicians.

Were there any female mentors you felt you could call upon when you started out or did you have to navigate your own path?

I have been fortunate to be guided and encouraged by some of the most important women in the industry. I’ve been amazed by the support, encouragement and love shown to me over the years. Some of the most wonderful women have mentored me, especially in those early days like Linda Gebar and Trish Shoesmith who are no longer with us.

Linda Bosidis, Jennifer Gome, Kirsty Rivers, Nicole Hart, Bernadette Ryan, Ann Gibson, Anthea Newton, Katy Richards – I still pick up the phone to some of them now and troubleshoot. Women that demonstrated what it is to work hard, be heard, be proactive, be strong. There are so many to thank for supporting me and being so kind when I was starting out.

Apart from your mum, were there other women you looked up to at this point in your life?

Yes! Working for Sharon Osbourne has been a blessing. She has guided me professionally, putting faith in me and always backing me. Sharon gave me a ton of encouragement and a lot of leeway to learn, take on projects and tasks that I probably wasn’t qualified for at the time. She has put a lot of faith and trust in me and it’s been an enormous privilege to work alongside her. Sharon also allowed me the flexibility to take maternity leave (longer than the legal amount in the USA) by encouraging me to work from home when I felt overwhelmed by a new baby and full-time on-site work. She was accommodating when I wanted to have six months at home with my second baby and retained me full time when I relocated back to Australia. She’s been so supportive and has given me so much confidence in being able to balance parenting and a career.

Did you always know you wanted children?

My goodness yes! I’ve always been very maternal.

Did you worry about how you would make motherhood and the music industry work?

I had my first baby at 26, so I don’t think I thought about anything to be honest. I was probably more terrified having my third when I was 33 – I was hip to the world by then! Having my third seemed like such a huge risk. I did think by that point I’d have to give up work, give up travel and spend more time at home. It wasn’t to be fortunately, because by the time she was six-months-old it was straight back on a plane to the US with her in the baby carrier and head-on into major projects.

My two eldest children were born in Los Angeles and my youngest in Australia. The entire family have spent extended periods in LA when I’ve had major projects happening. LA is my second home and feels super central to me. My kids are expert travelers and pretty adaptable.

For the past two years I’ve settled them in school in Kyneton – this place just keeps pulling me back – and I’ve commuted back and forth to LA on my own every 8-10 weeks. COVID-19 has changed that right now, but I’ve made the most of not having continual jet lag! I feel so alive! Ha!

Was there a time when it fell apart? Or felt like it was?

Not so much fell apart, but more of an internal struggle with having to travel so much and leave my kids behind, missing important school events, milestones etc. There are times I feel like things are moving so fast and I haven’t had enough time to enjoy the little things with my children.

What skills have you learnt to deal with every day or occupational challenges which come your way?

Well, I think being a mother and having to continually juggle absolutely everything puts you ahead of the game in the workplace. I’m rarely rattled by anything these days, I’ve seen it all! Having to deal with managers, agents and producers (sometimes at all hours of the night), who can sometimes be impatient and demand responses immediately can keep you on your toes.

I’m also a great connecter. Somehow I’ve developed a knack for putting people together! I’m often contacted by various people across the music and television industry for advice to help recommend or find staff, connect creative people with industry people, arrange collaborations etc. The joke in my office when we need to hire someone is, “Get Melinda to phone an Aussie!” Australians just get it – I find we aren’t precious when it comes to getting the job done.

Since having your children – what has been your proudest moment?

Ah there have been many! I’m enormously proud of my kids. As a mother, I’m always questioning my own skills and decisions as we all are. I worry I’ve not been present enough, not focused enough… I think every mum would say the same. I know my kids will be saying later, “We were born in Hollywood and you moved us to Kyneton WTF and WHY??!!” Sometimes I feel guilt over that, taking them out of a big and exciting city, but then I think we are better here in Kyneton. I’m a better mum here and for now, that’s the most important thing.

What do you do to take time out for yourself?

I do a ton of exercise! Lots of walking with headphones and tuning out to the world. I also take a long bath for well over an hour every single night. I know, I’m a real party animal! I have great friends from all different backgrounds and often phone a friend for a chat when I need a break from the mundane. A good old-fashioned vent can do wonders for the soul.

Obviously COVID-19 and lockdowns have affected the way we as mother’s in the music industry work – we’ve had to rethink everything. What has and/or hasn’t worked for you? What effects has this time had on you or the children?

Stressing out and watching continuous news was not working for me. It was literally keeping me up at night and had me shaking with anxiety during that first lockdown. I had to turn off and get moving – walking in the countryside has been my saving grace. The kids have coped probably better than us, even though the home learning has been tricky. The lack of connection with their peers and teachers has been difficult.

What have been the positives to come out of it?

With no school, no activities and no friends over, my kids have had to communicate and spend time together. It’s actually changed the dynamic in a positive way. They are all getting along so much better. Silver linings!

Best piece of advice given to you?

Best piece of advice is probably to stay in the moment. I have a tendency to plan ahead which isn’t always the best thing to be doing. Sometimes just staying in the moment and focusing on the day to day can be enormously helpful and can avoid that overwhelming feeling that can come with parenting and working in a fast paced environment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jane Gazzo
Jane Gazzo is a broadcaster, TV presenter, music journalist and published author who began her career in radio, aged 16. Since then, she has presented nationally on Triple M and Triple J as well as BBC Radio 6 in the UK and has hosted television shows such as Recovery on ABC TV. She spent eight years as a presenter on Foxtel's Channel V, where she reported from music festivals, red carpet events and hosted live TV shows, interviewing some of the biggest and best names in the music world.

In 2018 Jane became Chair of the Australian Music Vault Advisory Group and in 2020 she hosted ABC-TV's flagship music show THE SOUND and co-founded the popular Facebook site Sound As Ever (Australia Indie 90-99).