In 1924, she began working as a radio actress at 2FC, one of Australia’s first radio stations. In the 1930s she played a number of leading roles for ABC radio, including Portia in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Jane Marryot in Noël Coward’s Cavalcade. During this time, she also worked extensively with 2SM and 2GB.
Irish journalist, filmmaker and political activist
By the age of 18 she was in constant demand as one of Australia’s leading radio stars. During the 1950s, Cecil played the lead in the radio serial Life Can be Beautiful, and had an ongoing role in the serial Doctor Paul. She played one of the Macarthur twins in Blue Hills until 1976 and later starred in several Shakespeare radio plays broadcast by ABC radio. She died in 1998.
Irish trade unionist, social activist and administrator
Irish playwright, poet and broadcaster
Green chalked up many firsts as a woman radio announcer in New Zealand and was always popular with listeners.
For most of the 1950s Kathleen O’Brien was the only woman directing films in New Zealand.
Catherine Duncan was an actor, playwright, film-maker and author who became the first woman credited as director in an Australian film since the McDonagh sisters in the 1930s.
Having joined the ABC in 1963, Jones has worked at the ABC for a remarkable 50 years. She was the first women reporter on the program This Day Tonight, as well as the first women to anchor the program Four Corners.
June Opie was a polio survivor, clinical psychologist, writer and broadcaster who overcame discrimination against the disabled to achieve professional and personal success. Her memoir, Over my dead body (1957), was an international best-seller and brought her widespread fame.