- Entry type: Person
- Entry ID: AWE0123
Delahunty, Mary
- The Honourable
- Born 7 June 1951, , Victoria, Australia
- Occupation Journalist, Parliamentarian
Summary
Mary Delahunty won the seat of Northcote (Legislative Assembly) for the Australian Labor Party, in a by-election in August 1998. She held the ministerial portfolios of Education, the Centenary of Federation, Planning, Arts and Women’s Affairs. Before entering politics, she was Managing Director of her own media consultancy company, also a former ABC journalist and long time member of the Journalist’s Union. She retired from politics at the state election in November 2006.
Details
Born: 7 June 1951.
Delahunty received a BA (Hons) in Political Science from La Trobe University, before commencing a career in television news, current affairs and the arts. She reported nationally and internationally for the ABC and commercial television stations, producing numerous documentaries and anchoring live broadcasts.
Delahunty is known for presenting ABC TV news (Melb.) and current affairs programs, the 7.30 Report and Four Corners. She also hosted the ABC’s national arts program, Sunday Afternoon.
In 1983, Delahunty was awarded the Gold Walkley for journalism, for the story ‘Aiding and Abetting’ an investigation of the use and misuse of Australian aid moneys. She has been a four times recipient of the Deafness Society Clear Speaking Award.
She was one of the early Foundation members of Emily’s List and the first Labor woman candidate to be supported by Emily’s List in Victoria and then win. Also she was the Victorian convenor and foundation member of the Australian Republic Movement and elected delegate to the People’s Convention on the Republic (held Canberra 2000), as well as being a former Director and long time supporter of the Victorian Women’s Trust.
Delahunty is a Governor of the Dromkeen Children’s Literature Collection and Patron of P.A.L.S. (partnership and linking for the seriously mentally ill).
Married to Jock Rankin (passed away 2002) with two children, she enjoys reading, theatre, dance and riding.
Events
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1983
Gold Award (with Alan Hall) – Best Piece of Journalism – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Walkley Award (Gold Walkley) -
1983
Best Television Current Affairs Report – with Alan Hall
Walkley Award (Television)
Archival resources
Published resources
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Resource
- Mary Delahunty. Member for Northcote, http://www.emilyslist.org.au/candidates/cand_mdelahunty.html
- Mary Delahunty, Member for Northcote. Minister for Education, Arts and The Centenary of Federation, http://www.vic.alp.org.au/people/northcote.html
- Trove: Delahunty, Mary (1951-), http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-488093
- Edited Book
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Site Exhibition
- The Women's Pages: Australian Women and Journalism since 1850, Australian Women's Archives Project, 2008, http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/cal/cal-home.html
- Carrying on the Fight: Women Candidates in Victorian Parliamentary Elections, Australian Women's Archives Project, 2008, http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/cws/home.html