Photos by Emma Brasier
Inspiration, storytelling, laughter, and heartfelt tributes marked the inaugural Women in Media Oration Honouring Caroline Jones AO.
The extraordinary contributions of revered journalist Caroline Jones AO were celebrated by a cohort of influential women and men in media, united in their admiration for a trailblazer who paved the way for future generations.
Wiradjuri Gadigal Elder Aunty Joan Bell opened the evening with her Welcome to Country full of stories of family, love and generational lines. The mother of 10 and grandmother and great grandmother to 82, emphasised the importance of listening to our ancestors and reminded us, 'Be polite, be gentle to all' as we stand together on this land rich in history and meaning.
Women in Media Co-Chairs Anita Jacoby AM and Victoria Laurie welcomed distinguished guests and supporters, setting the tone for the night and speaking passionately about the importance of unity and the strength of our community.
And Women in Media’s Patron, Ita Buttrose AC OBE, also shared words of encouragement to the women in the room. Referencing the Women in Media Industry Insight Report which found over a third of women in the industry are considering leaving their jobs, she urged, “You must never give up. Don’t withdraw. Use your numbers. There are more than 6,000 of you [in the Women in Media community]. Go and tell people what you do. Find your voice.”
Emma Macdonald OAM, Women in Media Canberra Convenor, graciously served as the evening’s MC, paying heartfelt tribute to her friend Caroline Jones AO.
“I hold dear many things that Caroline taught me. There is space for sure. For women supporting other women.”
The evening reached new heights with the captivating oration by the formidable Kate McClymont AM, who took the audience on a journey through the impactful legacy of Caroline Jones. “Caroline was single-handedly championing the women who came after her,” she declared.
Kate shared many stories of the gendered insults and threats she received as woman journalist. One evening, the threats to her safety were so serious her employer had to put her and her children up in a hotel because they couldn’t sleep at home. Even reflecting on this scary situation, McClymont reflected with humour, “What the budget did allow for was a dingy hotel room above the cinemas on George St. We lasted one night… and I thought, I would rather be dead.”
Her candid reflections highlighted the uphill battle women face in the industry, noting that while women make up 53% of the media workforce at the start of their careers, they occupy only 23% of senior positions.
She also addressed the persistence of the gender pay gap, recalling a Microsoft CEO’s misguided advice delivered at a tech summit for women: “Women should not ask for a pay rise, but rely on good karma.” McClymont pointed out, “men will outearn women at the end of their careers by $1 million!”
As she concluded, Kate encouraged everyone to hold the door open for others, declaring,
“As a journalists we have a duty to stay the course, no matter what. For democracy to count, as journalists we hold a mirror to society and sometimes society doesn’t like it. But our job is to expose things without favour or fear, but there is a price to pay.”
