Melissa Doyle reveals why she would NEVER return to breakfast television as she opens up about devastating milestone: 'I've done my years of heartbreak'

Melissa Doyle has opened about her incredible 34-year media career and revealed the sad reason why she would never return to breakfast television.

The former co-host of Sunrise, 54, was at the forefront of many of Australia's major stories during her time on the morning program.

This included reporting on horrific disasters like the Black Saturday bushfires, the Queensland floods and the Beaconsfield mine collapse. 

She also reported on international coverage like the 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, Melissa reflected on the intensity of her past TV roles and the joy of slowing down from more demanding jobs as she prepares for her new hosting gig House of Wellness on Seven in 2025.

'I think I've done my years of heartbreak,' she said.

'[I can't wait to] do very different topics which don't require me to stand in [disaster] zones.'

Melissa is a Goodwill Ambassador for World Vision, and this week the organisation is preparing to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

The disaster, which occurred on December 26, 2004, resulted in the deaths of approximately 230,000 people and is regarded as the largest natural disaster in human history.

Melissa recounted the severity of the natural disaster that occurred 20 years ago and delved into just how severe the impact was as it displaced over 1.7million people.

It was caused by a massive 9.1 Richter Scale earthquake that struck at 7.58am on December 26th, 240km off Banda Aceh in Indonesia.

'I remember coming straight back to work and just the enormity of it unfolding,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'It's like a lot of natural disasters that we've seen where there's that very first immediate reaction, and then as the hours click by, you realise how big this is, the scale of it just seemed to keep growing.

'It went from Indonesia to Sri Lanka. There were so many more countries that had been affected.'

'I think the enormity of it is always shocking. There's never a single, I hope, to God, a natural disaster that any of us witness and don't ever get deeply affected by it. It's just that little moment you realise how quickly something can change.'

Melissa went on to emphasise World Vision's rapid response and the importance of community support as Australia's generosity shone through with more than $100million raised for disaster relief across five countries.

'Every single natural disaster that I've ever covered, or any disaster, has always really left a major scar on me. But I think that's part of being a journalist, that's part of telling these stories,' she continued.

'I'm also, in those moments, completely in awe of how quickly we respond and how generous the community is to say, "All right, what do you need us to do? How do we step up and help? How do we support?" We're always so quick to do that.'

The Channel Seven presenter discussed her over 25-year involvement with the organisation, which starting with sponsoring a child after her marriage to John Dunlop in 1995.

'We started sponsoring a child not long after our marriage, and sponsored children after that,' she said, adding that she still sponsors children to this day.

Amid the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Melissa co-hosted the cross-network telethon, raising funds to support World Vision's disaster relief initiative.

World Vision Australia worked alongside broadcast networks to bring to life the largest televised appeal the nation had seen to raise much-needed funds and provided food, water, and shelter to over one million people in the first 90 days. 

Following the conclusion of the World Vision Tsunami Telethon, $15,198,329.20 in donations had been raised.

Doyle played a pivotal role in this historical event, saying: 'Presenting the telethon was like nothing I had experienced before. Having everyone unite for such an incredible cause was truly moving. 

'When visiting Banda Aceh in 2014 for the ten year anniversary, it was incredible to see the enormous difference made by every single person who donated. I hope everybody feels proud about the part they played in helping rebuild the impacted communities.'

Melissa stepped down from her role as Sunrise co-host in 2013 and is hosting the new health and lifestyle program, House of Wellness, on Friday nights on Channel Seven next year.