Renowned broadcaster Francis Leach has been introduced to audiences in the early hours of today as the new presenter of ABC Overnights, replacing Trevor Chappell who will retire from the program at the end of the month.
A familiar voice for ABC audiences, Francis started his broadcast career on air at triple j before dedicating decades to sports journalism and has worked for Grandstand and on ABC TV’s Offsiders.
He has spent nearly a decade in public policy and federal government roles but says he is returning to his one true love – radio. “I have had a lifelong love affair with radio and it’s wonderful to be given the opportunity to return to the microphone.” Francis said.
“The ABC Overnights audience is as passionate about radio as I am. It’s a community of great people from all walks of life and experiences, and I feel very privileged to be joining them each morning. Trevor has left an incredible legacy, and it’s my job to continue it in a manner that gives the audience the listening experience and connection with one another that he made his trademark.”
ABC Head of Capital City Network Anthony Frangi said: “Francis is a natural broadcaster with a deep love of radio and a natural ability to connect with audiences,”
“Overnights is a very special program, built on companionship forged in the quietest hours. We’re delighted to welcome Francis back to the ABC and look forward to hearing him bring his warmth, experience and energy to listeners across the country.”
Francis will start on Overnights on Monday 3 August, nationally on ABC Local Radio from 2:05am AEST, Monday to Thursday.
Southern Cross Media Group has announced the appointment of Chris Jones to the newly created role of Director of Sport – TV, Audio and Streaming. Effective immediately, this company-wide position will lead sports strategy across the group.
In this new position, Jones will oversee the strategic direction of Seven and SCA’s combined sport portfolios. He will be responsible for driving a unified sport strategy that scales and grows the group’s footprint across broadcast television, audio, digital, publishing and social platforms, establishing an unmatched competitive advantage in the Australian media landscape. In addition, Jones will lead sports rights negotiations on behalf of the entire group, creating cross-platform deals that maximise value across the entire network.
A highly accomplished sports media executive, Jones brings more than two decades of industry experience to the position. Most recently serving as Director of Network Sport at Seven since July 2024, Jones has spent more than 16 years with the network in senior leadership and production roles, including six years as Executive Producer of 7Cricket. Throughout his career, Jones has been instrumental in delivering ratings successes and managing broadcasts for major sporting events, including the AFL, the Australian Open, the US Masters, the Rio Olympic Games and the Spring Racing Carnival.
This role brings together the respected assets of 7Sport, Triple M and LiSTNR under a single aligned structure establishing a combined sports content powerhouse. The complementary audience reach of the business is already delivering massive results. Cross-promotion on Seven has unlocked historic scale for Triple M and LiSTNR, while Triple M’s unique audience has fuelled year-on-year streaming growth on 7plus across Cricket, the AFL, and Horse Racing.
Uniting these operations unlocks significant scale and resource efficiencies, driving more original programming and snackable content across all platforms to meet the needs of the modern sports consumer.
Chris Jones said: “It’s a privilege to lead this merged team of some of the country’s most talented on and off-air broadcasters. Working closely with Ewan Giles and the SCA sport team, we now have an incredible opportunity to capitalise on our strengths, allowing us to share talent, resources, and ideas seamlessly while protecting what makes each brand distinctive.
“Bringing our sports offering together marks a major evolution in content consumption. By elevating digital and social media alongside traditional TV and audio broadcasts, we will capture fans who engage with content far beyond our traditional assets. Every platform matters, every audience matters, and everyone on our team plays a role across all assets.”
“This team will heavily support, promote and launch our diverse scale of assets across the merged company – including our Western Australian products, 7NEWS, Sunrise and our entertainment slate across audio and TV, into every market around Australia.”
“Sport audiences want great coverage whenever and however they consume it. By bringing together 7SPORT, Triple M and LiSTNR sport, we are building Australia’s most complete sports media operation, delivering engaging content wherever you are, throughout the whole day.”
Managing Director – TV and Streaming, Angus Ross said: “Seven and SCA’s dominance in sport is unmatched, and bringing both businesses together has provided a massive opportunity to maximise our footprint across broadcast and audio. Chris has an incredible track record with Seven and the broader sporting industry. Having worked closely with Triple M over the years, it makes perfect sense to extend his expertise across audio to lead negotiations across all pillars. Chris has live sport in his DNA and has spent over 20 years delivering every major sporting code across the country. He has the deep respect of the sporting codes and a proven history of delivering great outcomes for the game, and bringing all these assets together under one sports strategy is a massive win for our audiences and advertisers.”
Managing Director – Audio, John Kelly said: “Sport holds an unrivalled power to connect Australians, and this unified strategy delivers a massive competitive advantage. The SCA sports team already drives strong engagement through Triple M and LiSTNR, built on a legacy of passion, expert insight, and unmatched talent. By working closer with Seven under Chris’ leadership we are unlocking a powerful cross-medium ecosystem. For our audiences, it means the country’s most comprehensive sports coverage, and for our clients and partners, it provides an unprecedented scale to reach highly engaged fans at every hour of the day.”
Beyond dedicated sports programs, the unified sports division will play an active role in supporting, promoting, and launching entertainment and news assets across the entire company including 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, Seven’s Western Australian assets, and the broader audio and TV platforms. For advertisers, the combined entity provides substantial scale and cross-platform synergy, offering the unique ability to reach diverse, highly engaged audiences at every hour of the day.
In his new role, Chris Jones will report to Seven’s Managing Director, TV and Streaming, Angus Ross, while working closely with Managing Director and CEO, Rohan Lund and the business’ core strategic pillars including Managing Director – Audio, John Kelly and SWM WA CEO, Maryna Fewster to drive the joint strategy. Head of Sport Content – Audio, Ewan Giles will report directly to Jones, driving seamless operational synergy across the unified SCA and Seven sports teams.
SBS unequivocally condemns antisemitism and affirms the right of Jewish Australians to live with safety, dignity and a true sense of belonging. Our submission to the Royal Commission highlights the vital role trusted, independent public service media plays in strengthening social cohesion.
SBS has invested significantly in reporting and programming that helps Australians better understand antisemitism and its impacts, with content available in more than 60 languages. Across all our platforms and services, we represent Jewish Australian stories and perspectives in a way that is respectful, accurate and inclusive.
Examples include multilingual SBS Examines explainers on antisemitism and misinformation, documentaries exploring Jewish Australian experiences, extensive reporting on the Bondi terrorist attack and its aftermath, the award-winning Dateline episode “Inside Israel: A Nation at War”, and SBS Hebrew’s coverage of international and domestic news and community stories for Australian audiences in both Hebrew and English.
SBS’s commitment to factual, balanced and impartial journalism is supported by strong editorial standards, independent complaints processes, and ongoing engagement with communities across Australia.
SBS is assisting the Royal Commission in its important work. Guided by our Charter, SBS will continue to provide trusted multicultural and multilingual services that strengthen informed public debate, cultural understanding and civic participation, helping build a more resilient, connected and cohesive Australia.
Read the SBS Submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion here
The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has opened applications for its 2027 scholarships, including new accommodation support for students moving to Sydney to study.
At the centre of this year’s offering are five new Relocation Scholarships, providing $36,000 ($12,000 per year for up to three years) to eligible students. The scholarships are designed to assist with the cost of accommodation, improving access to screen and audio education, with a particular focus on First Nations students and those experiencing financial disadvantage.
The initiative builds on Australian Government support to improve access to affordable, fit-for-purpose student accommodation, helping more students from across Australia enrol in full-time, on-campus study at AFTRS.
AFTRS Director of Partnerships and Development, Mathieu Ravier, said the new scholarships would make a meaningful difference to students considering a move to Sydney.
“Sydney sits at the high end of the national market, and rents have increased significantly in the past five years. These Relocation Scholarships are an important step in ensuring that talented students from across Australia can access a world-class creative education, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. By easing cost-of-living pressure, we’re helping students focus on their creative development and fully participate in campus life,” he said.
“These scholarships are just one example of how AFTRS continues to work closely with industry partners and government to remove barriers to study, ensuring that Australia’s screen and audio industries benefit from a talent pipeline which represents the breadth of lived experiences across the country.”
Current Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production student Georgia Williams, a First Nations student from Cowra, NSW, is among the students whose pathway to AFTRS has been made possible through similar scholarship support. Georgia is the recipient of the 2026 OnBass Giant Steps Scholarship, supported by Gentle Giant Media Group and the OnBass Foundation, which returns for its seventh year in 2027.
“Receiving a scholarship has made a real and immediate difference in my life,” Georgia said. “It has eased the financial pressure of relocating from rural NSW to Sydney and enabled me to begin my studies at AFTRS this year, something that would have been very difficult otherwise given the cost of rent and living expenses. With this support, I have been able to fully focus on developing my skills, collaborating with other creatives, and growing my practice as a proud Ngemba storyteller.”
These scholarships form part of AFTRS’ broader commitment to equity and inclusion, supporting greater participation from First Nations students and those from regional, remote and low socioeconomic backgrounds. They sit alongside AFTRS’ established suite of scholarships supporting students across its courses.
Together, scholarships support emerging creatives across screen and audio disciplines, helping students develop industry-ready skills and build sustainable careers.
The AFTRS Scholarship program, made possible through the support of the Australian Government, industry leaders and AFTRS community, includes:
Relocation Scholarship – Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production Anita Jacoby Trailblazer Scholarship – Master of Arts Screen ARN Radio and Podcasting Scholarship – Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting Constellation Creatives Scholarship – Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production CRA Regional Radio Scholarship – Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting Equity Scholarship (supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust) – across multiple courses First Nations Scholarship (supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust) – across multiple courses Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship – Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation Scholarship – Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting Netflix First Nations Pathways Scholarship – Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production OnBass Giant Steps Scholarship – Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production Pariya Taherzadeh Cultural Voices Scholarship – Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting Women in Cinematography Scholarship (sponsored by Sony) – Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production (Year 3)
AFTRS offers about 40 scholarships each year. For more information see: Scholarships and Financial Support
Speaking at Parliament House, artists, authors and music creators alongside Australia’s creative and media leaders called on the Albanese Government to hold firm on its existing copyright framework
APRA AMCOS members Francois Tetaz, Hannah Cameron, John Collins, KLP, Warren H. Williams and William Barton attended the event alongside CEO, Dean Ormston
The creative and media industries gathered in Canberra yesterday to set out a clear position. Australian creative work is the fuel that powers the AI economy. Without it there are no large language models, no image generators, no AI products of any kind. Australian creators should be part of that success story, not locked out of it. The path is straightforward: ask permission and pay.
The gathering at Parliament House included Andy Griffith, Anna Funder, Francois Tetaz, Hannah Cameron (Middle Kids), John Collins (Powderfinger), KLP, Mahalia Barnes, Mark Seymour, Paul Dempsey, Warren H. Williams and William Barton plus industry representatives from APRA AMCOS, ARIA, Australian Society of Authors, Australian Writers’ Guild, Australian Publishers Association, Mushroom Group, Australian Music Publishers Association Ltd, Gyro, Association of Artist Managers, Copyright Agency and Free TV Australia.
Lucy Hayward, CEO of the Australian Society of Authors, said: “Despite what tech might tell you, copyright is simple. If you want to use someone’s work, you need to ask permission. And copyright is also how authors earn a living. Instead of coming to creators and rightsholders to do deals, big tech is throwing money at lobbying in Canberra for solutions that would enable them to use creators’ work in exchange for chump change. For all intents and purposes that’s wage theft for the creative industries.”
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, added: “Canberra Airport’s never been so busy with people flying out from the US, putting pressure on the government to say there needs to be some trade-off in relation to data centres and investment. Ultimately, we want to see the collaboration of tech industry and creative industries to the benefit of all Australians. Now’s the time for the government to double down on its investment in the opportunity for the creative industries in AI. The future’s bright, we need to hold firm, we’re open and ready to do business.”
Singer/songwriter, Mahalia Barnes, added: “This is not just data. This is truly art. This is our culture, it’s the essence of our nation. Artists can never be replaced by technology and AI because art is essentially about humanity.”
Anna Funder, award-winning author, said: “I’m a writer but I’m standing here before you today really as a victim of crime. My books have all been hoovered up in many editions in many countries, in many languages by big tech, broken down into parts and used for them to make money. We don’t want patrons, we don’t want a big tech fund, we want our rights.”
Bestselling author and Australian Children’s Laureate 2026-2027, Andy Griffiths, added: “I’ve written 43 books, 67 books have been scraped without permission. That includes translations. They are going for everything. There’s been no agreement reached on any of those books. Copyright is how art gets made and if we undermine that there will be no more art, not even to scrape.”
Warren H Williams, award‑winning singer/songwriter, concluded: “My people are the worst ones to get ripped off. Someone comes in from outside because they have sound or the music tracks already written and they ask the black fella to do songs in their language. They go away, mix it, never come back.”
In October 2025, following consultation with Australia’s creative and media industries, the Albanese Government rejected a proposed text and data mining exception that would have allowed AI companies to use Australian content without permission or payment. It was the right decision, and one that affirmed the Government’s commitment to Australian culture.
As AI companies intensify their lobbying in Canberra, Australia’s creative and media industries are calling on the Government to hold the line. Australian copyright law is fit for purpose in the AI era. What is needed is the Government’s continued resolve, and we need AI platforms willing to come to the table and do the deal with Australian creators and businesses. Australia is already a world leader in tech regulation. Licensing markets for AI training are already developing internationally. Australia should ensure our creators are part of that market and should not weaken protections that provide a return on the intellectual property of our artists, creators and businesses.
The creative, cultural and media sectors call on government to:
Hold firm on the existing copyright framework and resist pressure from AI companies to reopen or weaken it.
Continue to stand with Australia’s artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, journalists, performers, songwriters, composers, broadcasters, producers, publishers and rightsholders.
Use government’s power to bring AI platforms to the table with Australian rightsholders for genuine licensing agreements built on permission and payment.
Position Australia as a world leader in AI development that grows the economy while protecting Australian culture, Australian content and Australian creative jobs.
Ahead of Wednesday night’s highly anticipated State of Origin decider, Triple M celebrates a year of record-breaking audience growth for its NRL coverage across broadcast and digital. With wall-to-wall coverage of this year’s Rugby League World Cup still to come, 2026 is shaping up to be Triple M’s biggest year of rugby league ever.
Triple M will once again deliver the most passionate call in the game when New South Wales and Queensland clash in the State of Origin decider on Wednesday, July 8.
Coverage begins at 6pm with Triple M’s Origin Rumble, as Nathan Hindmarsh, Gorden Tallis and Charlie White preview the blockbuster decider, relive some of Origin’s greatest moments and share stories from one of sport’s fiercest rivalries.
From 7pm, Triple M’s expert commentary team takes listeners live to Brisbane’s iconic Suncorp Stadium, with Dan Ginnane joined by former NSW and Australian representative Wade Graham, Queensland and Australian great Shane Webcke and Triple M’s Ben Dobbin to call every moment of the series finale.
The State of Origin decider caps off an extraordinary season for Triple M’s rugby league coverage, with the network recording its strongest NRL audience results ever.
For the first time, Triple M claimed victory over 2GB across both Saturday and Sunday NRL coverage*, delivering its best-ever weekend ratings performance and cementing its dominance with rugby league fans. This season has also seen the successful debut of Emma Lawrence in play-by-play commentary, alongside former premiership-winning half star Luke Keary as expert commentator.
The momentum extends beyond broadcast, with NRL Daily ranking as the number one rugby league podcast on the Triton Australian Podcast Ranker for May 2026**, further strengthening Triple M’s position as the home of rugby league conversation on every platform.
There’s even more to come.
This October, Triple M will become the home of the Rugby League World Cup, bringing fans every major match from the tournament. The action kicks off with Australia taking on New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, 15 October, leading through to both the women’s and men’s finals at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, 15 November. Commentary teams will be announced closer to the tournament.
Ewan Giles, SCA Head of Sports Content, said: “There’s never been a bigger year for rugby league on Triple M. Whether it’s State of Origin, our record-breaking NRL audiences, the success of NRL Daily or the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, we’re seeing more fans than ever choosing Triple M for the biggest moments in the game.
“We’ve assembled the best callers, the biggest personalities and the strongest rugby league lineup in the country, and we can’t wait to finish an incredible season with the Rugby League World Cup.”
Triple M’s State of Origin Decider Coverage – Wednesday, 8 July
Triple M’s Origin Rumble (6pm–7pm)
Nathan Hindmarsh
Gorden Tallis
Charlie White
Broadcasting on Triple M Sydney/Brisbane and Triple M regional NSW & QLD
State of Origin Decider (from 7pm | Kick-off 8.05pm)
Dan Ginnane,
Wade Graham,
Shane Webcke
Ben Dobbin
Broadcasting on Triple M Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne/Adelaide and all Triple M regional stations
Triple M’s State of Origin coverage begins from 6pm on Wednesday, 8 July, live across the Triple M Network and streaming on the free LiSTNR app.
Southern Cross Media Group has announced the launch of a multi platform partnership with ING, led by Universal McCann (UM). One of the first fully integrated, cross-channel campaigns since the merger of Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and the Seven Network, this extended partnership launches on 1 July 2026.
The partnership reimagines how premium content can move seamlessly across platforms, extending Sunrise’s long-standing finance integration with ING into SCA’s LiSTNR audio ecosystem. The result is a unified, multi-platform presence that delivers timely financial information to Australians wherever and whenever they choose to engage.
Since April 2024, ING has partnered with Sunrise to deliver twice-daily finance updates, fronted by its resident finance commentator, building a consistent and authoritative voice within Australia’s most-watched breakfast program. In 2026, ING sought to evolve this partnership, with a clear ambition to reach new audiences and expand beyond broadcast television.
SCA and Seven responded with a solution that leveraged the full strength of the newly merged ecosystem. The daily finance segments from Sunrise will be dynamically adapted and distributed within LiSTNR’s leading news podcast, The Briefing, alongside targeted streaming and social amplification.
This approach allows ING to maintain the integrity and familiarity of its trusted broadcast content while effectively scaling incremental reach into digital audio environments.
“This partnership is a clear demonstration of what’s now possible as a unified SCA and Seven Network,” said SCA’s Head of Audio Sales Luke Minto. “We’re no longer thinking in silos. We’re taking proven, high-quality content and extending it across platforms in a way that feels native, contextual and seamless for audiences.”
Seven’s National Sales Director Katie Finney added, “ING has been a valued Sunrise partner for many years. This next evolution ensures their message continues to resonate, while tapping into new audiences across audio and digital. It’s a powerful example of how our combined ecosystem can drive both scale and efficiency.”
The campaign spans multiple touch points, including:
• Sunrise broadcast integrations featuring ING’s finance commentator • Contextual placement of finance updates within LiSTNR’s The Briefing podcast • Amplification across LiSTNR’s targeted streaming network • Social extensions across both SCA and Seven channels • Long-form monthly content and consumer engagement mechanics
“We were impressed by the strategic opportunities this cross-channel partnership has unlocked,” said UM’s Senior Creative Connections Director Monique Chirgwin. “It’s a brilliant showcase of the unified power of Seven Network and SCA. We’ve not only seamlessly extended ING’s trusted financial content but are now reaching new audiences with unparalleled efficiency and contextual relevance, genuinely optimising impact across their entire daily media journey.”
For ING, the result is a cohesive, cross-platform presence that reinforces its position as a trusted financial partner while meeting audiences in the environments they engage with most.
“ING is a digital leader with a long history of advocating for customers, and that means showing up in places and formats that feel natural, useful and trusted,” said ING’s Chief Marketing Officer Carly Yanco.
“Our expanded partnership with Seven and SCA is just one part of a wider digital engagement strategy, from platforms and content to creators and conversations, designed to demystify money and help Australians make sense of everyday finance.
“Having Matt Bowen continue that conversation brings financial news and education to life in a way that’s accessible, relevant and genuinely helpful.”
As one of the first campaigns of its kind following the merger, the ING partnership sets a new benchmark for cross-channel collaboration, highlighting how content, data and distribution can come together to deliver smarter, more effective outcomes for brands.
After 26 years leading ABC Overnights, Trevor Chappell has announced he will leave the program at the end of July.
For more than two decades, Trevor has been the voice of the ABC’s graveyard shift, bringing company, comfort and joy to listeners through the quiet hours as presenter of Overnights.
Reflecting on his first moments on air, Trevor said: “My first shift was terrifying. Everything was scripted and organised to the minute, but there is no allowance for nerves. After a few early stumbles we finally took a call from Pamela, my first talkback caller, and from that moment everything was okay. The kindness and generosity of listeners made that first day, and the 26 years since, so rewarding and a joy.”
Like so many of his listeners since that first call, Trevor developed a personal connection with Pamela and even visited her during a trip to Queensland.
While most of us sleep, Trevor has built a loyal audience of night owls, including shift workers, insomniacs and Nyctophiles. It is a close and distinctive bond, formed in the dark and often shaped by conversations more open than those had in daylight.
Trevor said the connection with listeners grew over time: “I got to know people over a period of time. You get to know their history, what makes them laugh. You can muck around a bit and not be too serious. By having that relationship, it encourages more people to call in as well.
“It is impossible to do shift work for as long as I have without support at work and at home. From producers like Michael Pavlich and Mick James, alongside colleagues including Helen Richardson and John Standish, our regular callers and my partner Cathy at home, that support has made a 25-year career possible.”
To farewell his sleepless fans, Trevor will host an intimate Night at the Museum event and broadcast his Overnights program live from Melbourne Museum, from late night to early morning on Tuesday 28 July.
Audience members can find out more about and apply to attend the overnight broadcast inside Melbourne Museum here.
The event offers listeners the chance to experience the museum after dark and see live radio unfold against the backdrop of night turning into morning in Melbourne.
Lynley Crosswell, CEO & Director Museums Victoria said: “There are few voices Australians have spent more late nights with than Trevor Chappell. We’re proud to host one of Trevor’s final broadcasts live at Melbourne Museum. Like the ABC, Museums Victoria exists to spark curiosity and connect people through a compelling story. We look forward to welcoming Trevor and his listeners.”
Trevor Chappell grew up in Western Australia and, after leaving high school, worked in a range of jobs across the state. His early roles took him from mines and wheat bins in the far north-west to building sites and a pub in Broome.
He began his radio career as a producer at Perth’s 6PR before returning to Melbourne in 1995 as a casual producer with the ABC. He spent four years as a producer and roving reporter for 774 ABC Melbourne and Victorian Regional Radio before taking on Overnights in 2000.
“For 25 years, Trevor Chappell has been a trusted companion to Australians through the quietest hours of the night,” said ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer.
“His warmth, humour and genuine curiosity have made Overnights a place where listeners feel heard, connected and welcome. Trevor’s contribution to ABC Radio is remarkable, not only for its longevity but for the deep bond he has built with audiences across the country. We thank him for his extraordinary service and look forward to celebrating him with listeners as he signs off from the program.”
Trevor’s final program will be on Thursday 30 July. The ABC will announce the new Overnights presenter in the coming weeks.
Sports broadcaster and former ABC Bonner Committee Chair, Dr. Charlie King AM, has announced his retirement from the ABC, marking the end of a remarkable career dedicated to serving audiences in the Top End and across Australia.
Over more than three decades with the ABC, Charlie has been a trusted and respected voice, particularly for communities in the Northern Territory. His long-standing commitment to First Nations audiences and to local storytelling has left a lasting legacy across ABC Sport and beyond.
Charlie has been a central voice in Territory sport for decades, as presenter of the local Grandstand program and became the first Indigenous Australian to commentate at an Olympic Games at Beijing in 2008.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Charlie served as Chair of the ABC Bonner Committee for more than a decade, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s commitment to First Nations staff, culture and leadership. In 2019, Charlie was inducted into the AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame (Media), recognised for his decades as a leading voice of Territory football and for his long‑running contribution to the growth of women’s football in the NT.
Also in 2019, he was named Northern Territory Senior Australian of the Year, recognising not only his distinguished broadcasting career but his long‑standing advocacy against domestic and family violence. Through his NO MORE campaign, launched in 2006, Charlie has worked with sporting codes and communities across the NT to promote zero tolerance of violence, while also spending more than 20 years volunteering to support men in contact with the justice system. His work has been recognised with an Order of Australia.
Charlie said: “I have always been proud to work at the ABC. I grew up listening to the ABC, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would go on to have such a long and rewarding career here. From the very beginning, I felt supported and welcomed as part of the ABC family.
“Being involved in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games was both a thrill and a great honour, experiences I will always cherish. As a Gurindji man, I was deeply aware of the responsibility I carried. I wanted to lead the way for more Aboriginal people to find their place at the ABC, and that motivated me to present myself in a way that reflected the importance and value of our presence in the organisation.
“I am particularly proud of the work of the Bonner Committee, what we achieved together and what continues to grow from that foundation. My time at the ABC also gave me the privilege to engage with communities on a wide range of issues beyond sport, and to help ensure that the voices of Aboriginal people were heard and respected by a broader audience.
“After many rewarding years, I leave with a deep sense of gratitude and pride in what we have accomplished together.”
ABC Director First Nations Strategy and Bundjalung woman Kelly Williams, said Charlie’s contribution to the organisation had been profound. “The ABC experienced significant change during Dr Charlie King’s tenure as Chair of the Bonner Committee. As the ABC’s peak Indigenous advisory group, the Committee benefited greatly from Charlie’s leadership and counsel, which helped pave the way for many Indigenous employees to showcase their leadership. In recognition of his outstanding service, Dr King became the first employee to be appointed a lifetime member of the ABC’s Bonner Committee.”
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks also paid tribute to Charlie’s career. “Charlie King leaves the ABC with a legacy defined by integrity, leadership and a deep connection to Top End communities. Through his journalism and service, including his tenure as Chair of the Bonner Committee, Charlie made a lasting and valued contribution. We thank him sincerely for his commitment and wish him every success and happiness in the future.”
