Sports broadcaster and former ABC Bonner Committee chair Dr Charlie King AM has announced his retirement from the ABC after more than three decades at the broadcaster.
King, a Gurindji man, presented the ABC’s local Grandstand program in the Northern Territory and became the first Indigenous Australian to commentate at an Olympic Games, at Beijing in 2008. He served as chair of the ABC Bonner Committee for more than a decade.
“I have always been proud to work at the ABC. I grew up listening to the ABC, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would go on to have such a long and rewarding career here. From the very beginning, I felt supported and welcomed as part of the ABC family,” King said.
“Being involved in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games was both a thrill and a great honour, experiences I will always cherish. As a Gurindji man, I was deeply aware of the responsibility I carried. I wanted to lead the way for more Aboriginal people to find their place at the ABC, and that motivated me to present myself in a way that reflected the importance and value of our presence in the organisation,” he said.
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Bonner Committee role
As chair of the ABC’s Indigenous advisory group, King was involved in the broadcaster’s work on First Nations staff, culture and leadership. He was appointed the first employee to become a lifetime member of the Bonner Committee.
“I am particularly proud of the work of the Bonner Committee, what we achieved together and what continues to grow from that foundation. My time at the ABC also gave me the privilege to engage with communities on a wide range of issues beyond sport, and to help ensure that the voices of Aboriginal people were heard and respected by a broader audience,” King said.
ABC director of First Nations strategy, Kelly Williams, commented on King’s time in the role.
“The ABC experienced significant change during Dr Charlie King’s tenure as chair of the Bonner Committee. As the ABC’s peak Indigenous advisory group, the committee benefited greatly from Charlie’s leadership and counsel, which helped pave the way for many Indigenous employees to showcase their leadership. In recognition of his outstanding service, Dr King became the first employee to be appointed a lifetime member of the ABC’s Bonner Committee,” Williams said.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks also commented.
“Charlie King leaves the ABC with a legacy defined by integrity, leadership and a deep connection to Top End communities. Through his journalism and service, including his tenure as chair of the Bonner Committee, Charlie made a lasting and valued contribution. We thank him sincerely for his commitment and wish him every success and happiness in the future,” Marks said.
Other recognition
In 2019, King was inducted into the AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame (Media) for his work as a broadcaster of Territory football and his contribution to the growth of women’s football in the NT. The same year, he was named Northern Territory Senior Australian of the Year, cited for his broadcasting career and his advocacy against domestic and family violence.
King launched the NO MORE campaign in 2006, working with sporting codes and communities across the NT to promote zero tolerance of violence. He has also volunteered to support men in contact with the justice system for more than 20 years. He holds an Order of Australia for this work.