For years, Australians have known Johanna Griggs as one of the country’s most familiar television faces.
But alongside her long-running work on Better Homes and Gardens, another chapter was quietly unfolding away from the cameras — one that would ultimately span 12 years.
Johanna has now confirmed that she has finished her time as a board member of Beyond Blue, bringing an important and deeply personal chapter of her public life to a close.
And as she looked back on everything those years involved, it became clear just how much of the journey had taken place far beyond the television studio.
A 12-year chapter comes to an end
Johanna announced the milestone in a heartfelt Instagram post, reflecting on more than a decade spent with Beyond Blue.
“Today, I finished an incredible 12 years as a Board member for Beyond Blue,” she shared.
She described the experience as a “privilege and honour”, while acknowledging the people she had worked alongside throughout those years.
For Johanna, however, the role was never simply about attending board meetings.
It became a journey that took her around Australia and placed her alongside people whose stories left a lasting impression.
Much of the work happened away from television
During her years with the organisation, Johanna spoke at and hosted events around the country, appeared in campaigns and presented webinars.
She also took part in two 30km fundraising walks — one of the more striking details to emerge as she reflected on the scale of her involvement.
But it was the people she encountered along the way that appeared to matter most.
Johanna recalled meeting Australians from many different walks of life and hearing directly about the experiences that had brought them into contact with Beyond Blue.
Those conversations, rather than the public appearances themselves, seem to have become some of the memories she carried most strongly from the role.
Another major responsibility began in 2018
Johanna’s work also extended into Be You, Australia’s national mental health in education initiative.
She chaired the initiative’s National Advisory Council from its beginnings in 2018, helping support its work with schools and early learning services around the country.
Be You now reaches more than 14,000 education settings nationwide, providing evidence-based resources and support for educators and learning communities.
It became another significant part of Johanna’s years with Beyond Blue — and another role she is now handing over.
Johanna passes the role on
As she marked the end of her tenure, Johanna also congratulated Abbe Anderson, who is stepping into a more active role with the Be You National Advisory Council.
Anderson has described Johanna’s contribution as significant, noting that she is following in the footsteps of her fellow Beyond Blue director as the initiative continues its work across Australian schools and early learning services.
For Johanna, the transition appears to be less about drawing a line under the past and more about handing an established role to someone who can continue the work.
The reaction showed how much the role had meant
Messages quickly followed Johanna’s announcement.
Among those acknowledging her contribution were familiar Australian television figures including Mark Beretta and Melissa Doyle, with Doyle describing the years of work as an “incredible legacy”.
The responses offered another reminder that while much of Johanna’s public identity has been shaped by television, her work outside broadcasting has formed a substantial part of her life as well.
It is a farewell — but not a complete goodbye
Perhaps the most telling part of Johanna’s message came when she explained that stepping away from the board would not end her connection with the organisation.
She said she would remain a supporter of Beyond Blue and expressed pride in having been able to serve for so long.
After 12 years of campaigns, events, fundraising and conversations across the country, Johanna described the experience as remarkable and humbling.
So while one formal role has now ended, the relationship behind it clearly has not.
For viewers who have known Johanna primarily through television, the farewell offers a glimpse into another side of her story — one that was quietly developing for more than a decade while the cameras were focused elsewhere.
A familiar face, but a much less familiar chapter
Johanna has hosted Better Homes and Gardens since 2005, making her one of Channel Seven’s most recognisable personalities.
She has previously spoken about approaching television as though she is speaking directly to one person at home — advice she received from a mentor early in her career.
That sense of connection appears to have extended well beyond television.
And as Johanna closes this 12-year chapter, the stories, journeys and people behind it may explain why this particular farewell carries far more meaning than a simple change of title.
Source: New Idea, Johanna Griggs’ Instagram, Be You/Beyond Blue.