Caroline Jones

AO
Born
Caroline Mary James

(1938-01-01)1 January 1938
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Died20 May 2022(2022-05-20) (aged 84)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation
  • Radio and TV journalist
    Social commentator
Years active1963–2022
EmployerAustralian Broadcasting Corporation (1963–2016)
Known for
Awards

Caroline Mary Jones AO (born Caroline Mary James; 1 January 1938 – 20 May 2022) was an Australian radio and television journalist and social commentator who had a career in the media industry for over 50 years.

Career

Jones joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission, now known as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), in Canberra in 1963 and later became the first female reporter for the daily This Day Tonight current affairs television program. She then became a presenter on Four Corners, a weekly current affairs television program, from 1972 to 1981.[1] From 1987 to 1994 she presented a spirituality-focused radio program called The Search For Meaning on ABC Radio National, on which she interviewed people about their lives.

In 1996, Jones began hosting the weekly biographical program Australian Story on ABC television.

During 1988, Jones worked alongside Aboriginal broadcasters at Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association in Alice Springs as they produced their first cultural and current affairs programs for television. In 1998 she was appointed an Ambassador for Reconciliation by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.[2]

In December 2016, Jones announced that she would leave the ABC and step down from her role on Australian Story, although stating that she would not be retiring.[3]

Jones was a foundation member of the Australian Council for the Arts, formed in 1973, as well as a foundation member of the Australian Classification Review Board, formed in 1970.[4]

Personal life

Jones was born on 1 January 1938[5] and grew up in Murrurundi, New South Wales.[6] She married and then divorced early in her adult life.[7] Later in her life she was received into the Roman Catholic Church.[8] Jones died following a fall at her home in Sydney on 20 May 2022, at the age of 84.[9][10]

Awards and honours

Jones won numerous media awards, including a Logie in 1972 and several Australian Media Peace Prize gold citations. In 2021 she was inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame.[11] Jones was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 1988 and in 1989 was awarded the Archbishop of Sydney Citation in recognition of her contribution to Christian ideals in radio and television.

The National Trust of Australia voted Jones an Australian Living Treasure in 1997. In 2007 she was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) by the University of the Sunshine Coast.[12] She also received a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) degree at the University of Sydney on 6 August 2017.[13]

Bibliography

  • The Search for Meaning, ABC and Collins Dove (1989) (based on the radio program of the same name)
  • The Search for Meaning, Volume 2, ABC and Collins Dove (October 1990)
  • The Search for Meaning – Conversations with Caroline Jones, ABC Books (October 1992)
  • The Search for Meaning Collection, ABC Books (1995)
  • An Authentic Life: Finding meaning and spirituality in everyday life. ABC Books (1998, 2005)
  • Through a Glass Darkly: A Journey of Love and Grief with My Father, ABC Books (2009)

References

  1. ↑ "Caroline Jones – Curriculum Vitae". Australian Story, ABC TV. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  2. ↑ "Caroline Jones AO – Celebrity Speakers". www.celebrityspeakers.com.au.
  3. ↑ "Caroline Jones to leave Australia Story and the ABC". MSN.
  4. ↑ "Caroline Jones AO – Celebrity Speakers". www.celebrityspeakers.com.au.
  5. ↑ "An authentic life: finding meaning and spirituality in everyday life / Caroline Jones". Port Adelaide Enfield Public Library Service. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  6. ↑ "Caroline Jones", ABC website.
  7. ↑ "Caroline Jones: A girl from the bush who became a trail blazer". ABC. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Caroline Jones, media pioneer, on her life and spirituality", Hope1032 radio station website, 9 December 2016.
  9. ↑ "Caroline Jones: A girl from the bush who became a trail blazer". ABC. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "Caroline Jones dies aged 84: Tributes flow for Australian media giant", The West Australian, 20 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Poise, grace, professionalism: Remembering Caroline Jones". ABC News. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  12. ↑ "Caroline Jones", ABC website.
  13. ↑ "Honorary doctorates celebrate journalism", University of Sydney website, 6 August 2017.
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