[8] He met his future News Breakfast co-host Lisa Millar while covering the 1996 federal election at the ABC's Canberra Bureau.

Rowland then became the ABC's North America correspondent, and during his posting covered stories including the election of Barack Obama as US president, the outbreak of the financial crisis of 2007–2008, the Virginia Tech massacre and David Hicks' release from Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

The book was edited by Rowland, with proceeds being contributed to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, as a means to provide support to the families who lost loved ones and homes during the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season.

[citation needed] Rowland was the vice-president of the Melbourne Press Club until his resignation in 2019 due to conflict between two other major members of the board.

[16] Rowland is a fan of the Western Bulldogs, and began supporting them after returning from the United States to co-anchor ABC News Breakfast when it launched midway through 2010.

[17] In 2016, he interviewed the Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon on News Breakfast less than 48 hours after the club ended its 62-year-long premiership losing streak.

Rowland has also stated that of his interviews with celebrities on News Breakfast, his favourite was with American actor Alan Alda, who appeared on the show to promote science education.