ABC has announced Sally Riley, head of Drama, Entertainment and Indigenous, will leave after 13 years with the public broadcaster.
Riley joined the ABC in 2010 as the inaugural head of the Indigenous Department at ABC Television and has played a key role in developing and bringing to audiences programs that are entertaining, thought-provoking and reflective of Australia’s national identity.
David Anderson, ABC’s managing director, thanked Sally for her many contributions not only to the ABC but to the Australian screen industry.
“Sally has not just been responsible for developing and producing an impressive body of screen productions but has also fostered and supported key talent at all stages of the creative process,” he said.
“Sally’s passion and creative drive have delivered to our screens many of the stories and programs Australians love and expect of their public broadcaster. I’m sure everyone at the ABC will join me in congratulating her for her achievements and in looking forward to the projects Sally will deliver next.”
Riley shared of her time with the public broadcaster: “As much as I have enjoyed my time at the ABC, it’s time for me to focus on new creative opportunities.
“I am incredibly grateful to the ABC. During my time here I have been supported to commission ground-breaking shows and take risks that I’m not sure would happen anywhere else. I have had the honour to work with the best creatives and executives in Australia and the world.
“I’m also proud of the work that the Bonner Committee has done in increasing the profile of First Nations people and content, both inside and outside the organisation. I’m confident this work will continue from strength to strength with a new generation of incredible people.”
Among her achievements, Riley was executive producer on both the award-winning film Mabo and the acclaimed series Redfern Now, the first television drama commissioned, written, acted and produced by Indigenous Australians and won the 2013 Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Drama Series.
In 2016 Sally was appointed as head of Scripted Production where her commissions included Stateless, Fires, Preppers, Cleverman, Mystery Road, Total Control, Aftertaste, Black Comedy, Janet King, Wakefield and The Newsreader.
The same year she was named as one of Foreign Policy’s 100 Leading Global Thinkers for her support of First Nations people in the entertainment industry. In 2020 she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the governing body of the Oscars, in recognition of her drive to champion diverse storytelling in Australia.
A Wiradjuri woman, Riley’s advocacy for Indigenous self-representation and work in developing initiatives to bring about increased participation by Indigenous artists has earned her respect across the Australian media industry. This includes her leadership as Chair of the ABC’s Bonner Committee.
Riley was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal in 2008 for her role in the development of initiatives that have increased the participation of Indigenous Australians in the film and television industry.
In 2022 she was recognised by Screen Producers Australia as the inaugural recipient of the Commissioner of the Year Award.
Riley will leave the ABC in July. Acting arrangements will be announced in coming weeks.