It’s that time of the year again. The ABC is looking for former ABC staff to mentor young ABC journalists and broadcasters.This time The ABC is specifically looking for people with experience in the following areas: Senior Content Makers – in News and Currents Affairs; Documentary; Factual and Entertainment. Senior Executive level managers with experience in career mapping and goal setting and support. Former TV/News presenters (or news/radio presenters who have moved to a screen/TV presen...

Gavin Fang took up his appointment as Editorial Director in January this year.  One of the ABC’s most experienced news executives, he began his ABC career in 2000 in the Perth newsroom.  After a stint as the ABC’s correspondent in Jakarta, he took on a succession of ever-more senior editorial roles in ABC News, ending as Deputy Director of News.  Along the way he had a hand in devising the More Relevant to More Australians News policy, and was ABC News Diversity lead.  The Editorial Director an...

In his first major speech about the ABC since the May federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated a new era in government-ABC relations. Delivered at a gala dinner celebrating the national broadcaster’s 90th anniversary, the PM’s wide-ranging speech outlined the ABC’s crucial role in contributing to both social cohesion and a healthy democracy. He also reinforced his government’s commitment to a better-resourced, independent ABC and promised to review options for delivering ...

ABC Alumni welcomes the appointment of Kim Williams as the new Chair of the ABC Board.We understand that Mr Williams was on the shortlist submitted by the Nomination Panel. We are pleased that this government has stuck by its election promise to follow the process laid down in the ABC Act. Kim Williams was the CEO of News Ltd (now News Corporation Australia) for less than two years. In a long and varied career, he has also been Chair or CEO (among others) of Musica Viva, the Australian Film Com...

ABC Alumni is an association of former staff of the ABC who support a vigorous, independent national broadcaster.  We note with concern the recent controversy surrounding the ABC’s decision to relieve Antoinette Lattouf of on-air duties, after three days of a five-day contract to present Mornings on Sydney metropolitan radio.  Although Ms Lattouf was paid for the full five-day contract, she has lodged an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission. ABC Alumni makes no comment about the...

Leigh Tierney, production designer extraordinaire passed away on 9th January 2024. He spent four and a half decades at the ABC in Sydney, working in drama, documentaries and news and current affairs. Flamboyant, fastidious and very, very creative, he is fondly remembered by Eric Napper and friends.LEIGH TIERNEY  For those of us that worked with Leigh, he will be remembered as a passionate practitioner of his craft who brought a sense of occasion to each and every project he touched.  His caree...

One of the ABC's primary responsibilities has long been telling Australian stories to Australian audiences.   But rising costs and increasing competition from the giant streaming companies are making it harder and harder for the ABC to air home-grown, high-quality drama. ABC Alumni Board Member, former ABC Director of Television and award-winning independent drama producer SANDRA LEVY outlines the size of the challenge:“Stories have been told on this continent for thousands of years.  We want A...