Elizabeth Bond (1942 – December 2002) was an Australian radio broadcaster, TV host and journalist.[1]
Elizabeth Bond | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1942 |
| Died | December 2002 (aged 59–60) |
| Education | University of Melbourne |
| Occupation(s) | Radio broadcaster, television presenter, journalist |
| Employer | Australian Broadcasting Commission |
Education
editBond graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English and German.[1] Bond attended the university with Germaine Greer, whom Bond credited with teaching her how to apply make-up.[1] While at the university, Bond appeared as an extra in a production of Saint Joan which starred Zoe Caldwell.[1]
Career
editAfter a successful audition in December 1963, Bond commenced working for the Australian Broadcasting Commission in Melbourne, working in various capacities.[1]
Bond relocated to Sydney in 1970 where she presented her own program on 2BL.[1] The program was dropped after Bond attracted criticism for making controversial comments on the program following a discussion with social commentator Ray Taylor, angering ABC management, prompting protests and accusations of Bond being a "left wing libber on the ABC".[1][2]
During this time, Bond appeared on ABC Television, hosting Matinee and At Home with Elizabeth Bond.[1] However, Bond expressed the view that she didn't enjoy television work and said she had no desire of becoming a media personality.[1]
Following a short-lived marriage and the birth of her son, Bond took a break from radio but returned to 3LO in 1977 to take over from Terry Lane on the Mornings program.[1] Following an initial outcry immediately following Lane's departure, listeners warmed to Bond and she was able to command a large audience, covering topics such as national and international politics, business affairs and media analysis.[1] Bond was explicit in her instructions to her producer to never be asked to help promote television shows, movies or books as they were a national broadcaster, and "not a PR company".[1]
Following disagreements with management about proposed changes to her program, Bond resigned from the ABC at the end of 1979.[1] Following her resignation, Bond accepted an offer to work for The Age.[1]
In 1981, Bond was appointed as the first community relations officer at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne.[1]
Bond became the first female commissioner of the Liquor Control Commission, which was later renamed the Liquor Licensing Commission.[1] Her work there prompted her to enroll in a law course at Melbourne University in 1989, which she graduated from in 1995.[1][3]
Throughout the 1980s, Bond served in a number of roles including as a foundation board member of the Meat Market Craft Centre, as a chairperson of St Martins Youth Centre, as a member of the ethics committee at the Royal Southern Memorial Hospital and as advisory committee member with the ABC.[1]
Recognition
editIn October 1979, Bond received a gold citation at the United Nations Association of Australia's media awards.[4]
Personal life
editBond suffered from rheumatoid arthritis from the age of 16.[1] Because of this, she often used a wheelchair.[1] In her final years at the ABC, she asked to be carried from her house to her car, and then from her car into the studio so she could continue working.[1]
Death
editBond died in December 2002.[1] Her death prompted a number of tributes including from political commentator Max Teichmann.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Nicholson, John; Nattrass, Sue (11 January 2003) Pioneer was a courageous voice at ABC, The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ Dunlevy, Maurice (2 July 1983) Red tape and high culture: 50 years of ABC, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ (28 March 1988) New liquor licensing body for Victoria, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ (23 October 1979) Major media prizes, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 15 October 2019.