The Central Coast Branch of Friends of the ABC will welcome popular journalist and media commentator, Jonathan Holmes, to speak at the Everglades Country Club on April 6.
The branch said they are delighted to welcome Holmes who will be their first guest speaker in a year due to several COVID-impacted shows having to be cancelled.
Holmes is currently Chair of the ABC Alumni, a group of former ABC Staff members who support well-funded and vibrant public broadcasting in Australia.
He has been a former Executive Producer at various times of Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent and the 7.30 report, a reporter with Foreign Correspondent and Four Corners, and from 2008 to his retirement from the ABC in 2013, the presenter of the popular Media Watch.
Committee member, Gillian Telford, said it has never been more important for Holmes to speak just weeks before the Federal Election is to be held.
“We are looking forward to Jonathan giving us some highlights from his extensive career and, with the federal election coming up, are keen to hear his thoughts on why our ABC is so vital to Australian democracy,” Telford said.
“We understand he will also speak about the importance of hearing from local candidates about how they stand in terms of their support and funding of the ABC which has been systematically reduced since 2013.
“Not everybody at the event will be members so we encourage people to join the branch … we found it very difficult to meet over lockdown but held Zoom meetings when we could.”
Convenor of the Central Coast Branch, Ross McGowen, expressed his gratitude to members and friends of the group, who have maintained their interest and support despite essential restrictions on meetings and planned events.
For more information and tickets, email rossmcgowen61@gmail.com or phone 0400 213 514.
Maisy Rae